From a mere Rs. 450 in 1994, the famous Balapur Ganesh laddu today fetched a whopping Rs. 5.45 lakh in the open auction held before the start of final Ganesh immersion procession.
From a mere Rs. 450 in 1994, the famous Balapur Ganesh laddu today fetched a whopping Rs. 5.45 lakh in the open auction held before the start of final Ganesh immersion procession in Hyderabad.
Located on the outskirts of Hyderabad, the small village of Balapur in Ranga Reddy district became famous over the years due to the auction of its Ganesh laddu, specially prepared by Agra Sweet House, Charminar. This year, too, thousands of people belonging to all communities, gathered at Balapur to witness the famous auction.
The bidding started at last year's closing price of Rs. 5.35 lakh. Although there were 8 bidders, the highest bid amount registered an increase of just Rs. 10,000.
Kolan Mohan Reddy and his brother Kolan Krishna Reddy made the highest bid to take possession of the 28 kg laddu for the 8th time.
The Reddy brothers expressed happiness over winning the bid, and prayed that like in the previous years, the auspicious laddu would bring them good luck this year as well. They said they would distribute the laddu to their kith and kin, besides sprinkling bits of it in their agricultural fields.
In 1980, when the Balapur Ganesh pandal was installed for the first time, it was named 'Prarambha Grama Vinayakudu'. But later, it was renamed 'Adi Vinayaka'.
In 1994, the laddu was auctioned for the first time, and Kollan Mohan Reddy placed the highest bid of Rs. 450 to get possession of the laddu. The tradition continued.
The bid amount rose year after year. Starting from Rs. 450 in 1994, it increased to Rs. 2,500 in 1995, Rs. 18,000 in 1996, Rs. 28,000 in 1997, Rs. 51,000 in 1998, Rs. 65,000 in 1999, Rs. 66,000 in 2000, Rs. 85,000 in 2001, Rs. 1.05 lakh in 2002, Rs. 1.55 lakh in 2003, Rs. 2.01 lakh in 2004, Rs. 2.08 lakh in 2005, Rs. 3 lakh in 2006, Rs. 4.15 lakh in 2007, Rs. 5.07 lakh in 2008, Rs. 5.10 lakh in 2009 and Rs. 5.35 lakh in 2010, and this year it was auctioned for Rs. 5.45 lakh.
The Balapur laddu contributed significantly to communal harmony. Muslims have been known to participate in the bidding.
In the year 2002, 2 Muslim friends - Ahmed Saadi and Omer Bin Saleh alias Khaisar Bam - made a strong bid for the laddu, and offered to buy it for Rs. 96,000. However, a person called Madhava Reddy bid Rs. 1.05 lakh to win the bid.
This year, too, hundreds of Muslims witnessed the laddu auction, although they did not participate in the bidding process.
In all, the Balapur Ganesh laddu auction has not only brought the fame for the village, but has also become an inseparable part of Hyderabad's rich history. (INN)