The saga of Balapur Ganesh laddu
Hyderabad, Sept 8 (INN): The famous Balapur Ganesh laddu fetched a whopping Rs 9.50 lakh in the open auction held before the start of final Ganesh immersion procession here 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 lakh, 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.
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 eight times.
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 9.26 lakh.
In 1980, when the Balapur Ganesh pandal was installed for the first time it was named as 'Praramba 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 Laddu. The tradition continued and it became mandatory that the final Ganesh immersion procession in the city would start only after the completion of laddu auction.
The Balapur laddu made a huge contribution in 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 Rs 1.05 lakh.
The Balapur Ganesh laddu auction has not only brought the fame for the village, but became inseparable part of Hyderabad's rich history.
Similarly, the auction of another Ganesh laddu at Ameerpet fetched Rs 10.8 lakhs. Another laddu auction in Visakhapatnam fetched Rs 12.75 lakh.
News Posted: 8 September, 2014
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