Hyderabad has become known for its exciting Ganesh laddu auctions during Ganesh Chaturthi. Each year, the laddus at different pandals grow larger and fetch higher bids, showing their religious significance.
On the last day of the festival, a laddu at Richmond Villas in Bandlaguda Jagir set a new record by being auctioned for Rs 2.32 crore, the highest in the Telugu States. The next highest was a laddu at My Home Bhooja, sold for Rs 51.77 lakh, followed by the Balapur Ganesh laddu, which fetched Rs 35 lakh.
The famous Balapur Ganesh laddu, weighing 21 kg and coated with gold and silver, was bought by Lingala Dasharath Goud from Karmanghat. Last year, Kolan Shanker Reddy purchased it for Rs 30.1 lakh. The auction, starting at Rs 1,116, quickly rose past Rs 30 lakh, with 38 bidders involved, including some from outside the village. The Balapur Ganesh Utsav Samithi, organizing the event since 1994, managed the auction.
After winning, Dasharath expressed his joy, stating, “Balapur Ganesh is dear to me, and I feel blessed to win this laddu. I’ve been attending the auction for six years, and this year, I succeeded.”
At Richmond Villas, last year’s laddu sold for Rs 1.87 crore, but this year it went for Rs 2.32 crore. The RV Vidya Charitable Trust organized the auction, with about 100 villa owners forming groups to bid. Proceeds will go to charity, according to Shailesh Reddy, a villa owner.
On Thursday, the My Home Bhooja laddu was auctioned for Rs 51.77 lakh, with Kondapalli Ganesh placing the highest bid. Last year, the same laddu went for Rs 29 lakh.
Another auction at New Star Bhakta Samaj in Attapur saw a laddu sold for Rs 12.51 lakh to Gummadi Brothers Bhupal Reddy, who paid Rs 1.35 lakh more than last year’s winning bid. About 50 people participated, surpassing previous records.
These auctions during the Ganesh celebrations underscore the blend of tradition, faith, and charity, becoming a cherished custom in Hyderabad.
