The iconic Balapur Ganesh laddu was auctioned for a record ₹35 lakh on Saturday (September 6, 2025), continuing a three-decade-old tradition. The winning bid came from Lingala Dasarat Goud, a resident of Karmanghat in Rangareddy district, who outbid four other participants. Last year, the laddu fetched ₹30,01,000.
The 21-kg laddu, standing nearly two feet tall with a tapering crown, was auctioned after the ceremonial procession of the Ganesh idol through Balapur’s lanes, which marks the beginning of immersion festivities.
From early morning, Balapur’s Temple Road turned into a sea of devotees. The lanes, decorated in saffron and white with strings of buntings overhead, resonated with chants and festive spirit. Hundreds of locals in traditional attire lined the barricaded streets, awaiting the laddu auction and the grand procession of the 18-foot Ganesh idol.
Security arrangements were strict, with heavy police deployment over half a kilometre around the pandal. Barricades and personnel ensured smooth crowd and traffic movement as excitement built for the day’s highlights.
A trailer decorated with fresh marigold garlands was readied to carry the idol for immersion at Hussain Sagar. The immersion, which traditionally attracts lakhs of devotees, was expected to begin later in the day, winding its way through Hyderabad before culminating at the lake.
