HYDERABAD: The auction of the popular Balapur laddu — locally known as ‘Bangaru’ laddu — touched a new high on Friday, after the 21 kg Ganesh prasadam fetched a staggering 24.6 lakh.
The bid was won by V Laxma Reddy, a local resident and realtor by profession. He bettered last year’s winning bid by 5.7 lakh.
In 2021, YSRCP leader, RV Ramesh Reddy, took home the laddu for 18.9 lakh that was first went under the hammer in 1994. That year the highest bid was 450.
Keeping with tradition, the open auction organised by the Balapur Ganesh Utsav Samithi was conducted in the presence of thousands of people after nine days (Navratri) of Ganesh celebrations. The mega event began at around 10 am after its 17-feet idol finished a ride along the the by-lanes of Balapur, as part of Shobha Yatra.
As many as 10 people participated in the auction which saw a tough competition between two people before Laxma Reddy finally emerged winner. While bidding usually starts at 116, this year it started at 1,11,111. Soon after winning it, the highest bidder — as per norms — signed a bond stating that he will pay the amount within the next one-year period. Had he been a non-local, he’d have to pay the money on the spot.
“I have been waiting for many years to win this laddu auction. It has finally come true this year because of the blessings of Lord Ganesha. I will distribute it among my friends and relatives,” said Laxma Reddy who led a procession to a local temple, carrying the laddu on his head, soon after winning. He offered prayers on getting there.
Much like previous years, this time too the auctioned laddu was made by Tapeswaram (in East Godavari district)-based sweet maker, Uma Maheswar Rao and donated to Balapur Ganesh. He has been doing this for free for over a than a decade.
Along with local TRS leaders, ministers Talasani Srinivas Yadav and Sabitha Indra Reddy also witnessed the auction.
Once done with the bid, a procession of revellers started for Hussainsagar Lake around 11 am to immerse the idol, amid tight police cover.
The bid was won by V Laxma Reddy, a local resident and realtor by profession. He bettered last year’s winning bid by 5.7 lakh.
In 2021, YSRCP leader, RV Ramesh Reddy, took home the laddu for 18.9 lakh that was first went under the hammer in 1994. That year the highest bid was 450.
Keeping with tradition, the open auction organised by the Balapur Ganesh Utsav Samithi was conducted in the presence of thousands of people after nine days (Navratri) of Ganesh celebrations. The mega event began at around 10 am after its 17-feet idol finished a ride along the the by-lanes of Balapur, as part of Shobha Yatra.
As many as 10 people participated in the auction which saw a tough competition between two people before Laxma Reddy finally emerged winner. While bidding usually starts at 116, this year it started at 1,11,111. Soon after winning it, the highest bidder — as per norms — signed a bond stating that he will pay the amount within the next one-year period. Had he been a non-local, he’d have to pay the money on the spot.
“I have been waiting for many years to win this laddu auction. It has finally come true this year because of the blessings of Lord Ganesha. I will distribute it among my friends and relatives,” said Laxma Reddy who led a procession to a local temple, carrying the laddu on his head, soon after winning. He offered prayers on getting there.
Much like previous years, this time too the auctioned laddu was made by Tapeswaram (in East Godavari district)-based sweet maker, Uma Maheswar Rao and donated to Balapur Ganesh. He has been doing this for free for over a than a decade.
Along with local TRS leaders, ministers Talasani Srinivas Yadav and Sabitha Indra Reddy also witnessed the auction.
Once done with the bid, a procession of revellers started for Hussainsagar Lake around 11 am to immerse the idol, amid tight police cover.