The famous Balapur Ganesh laddu fetched a whopping Rs 9.50 lakhs in the open auction held before the start of the Ganesh immersion procession on Monday.
The famous Balapur Ganesh laddu fetched a whopping Rs 9.50 lakhs in the open auction held before the start of the final Ganesh immersion procession on Monday.
Of 24 devotees who registered their names to participate in the Laddu auction, Balapur resident Singireddy Jaihind Reddy got the 21-kg laddu for the record Rs 9.50 lakhs, an increase in Rs 24,000 compared to last year's auction.
The laddu auction was held in the presence of Transport Minister P Mahendar Reddy.
Similarly, the auction of another Ganesh laddu at Ameerpet fetched Rs 10.8 lakhs. And a laddu auction in Visakhapatnam fetched Rs 12.75 lakhs.
Last year, the Balapur laddu was wrested by TDP leader and former Hyderabad Mayor Teegala Krishna Reddy.
Of 21 auctions held since 1994, Kollan Mohan Reddy won the auction 8 times.
Located on the outskirts of Hyderabad, the small village of Balapur in Ranga Reddy district has become 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 9.26 lakhs.
In 1980, when the Balapur Ganesh pandal was installed for the first time, it was named 'Praramba Grama Vinayakudu'. It was later 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, and it slowly became mandatory for the final Ganesh immersion procession in the city to start only after the completion of the laddu auction.
The bid amounts continued to rise. 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 lakhs in 2004, Rs 2.08 lakhs in 2005, Rs 3 lakhs in 2006, Rs 4.15 lakhs in 2007, Rs 5.07 lakhs in 2008, Rs 5.10 lakhs in 2009, Rs 5.35 lakhs in 2010, Rs 5.45 lakhs in 2011, Rs 7.5 lakhs in 2012, and Rs 9.26 lakhs in 2013 (last year).
The Balapur laddu has made a huge contribution to promoting communal harmony. Even Muslims participated in the bidding process several times. In the year 2002, two 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, one Madhava Reddy made the successful bid of Rs 1.05 lakh.
The Balapur Ganesh laddu auction has not only brought fame for the village, it has become an inseparable part of Hyderabad's rich history. (INN)