In the capital city of Telangana, the legendary 21 kg sacred laddu of the Balapur Ganesh pandal has once again taken center stage ahead of Ananta Chaturdashi. Conducted right before the main immersion rally embarks toward Hussain Sagar, the open bidding for this revered offering draws nationwide attention. Scheduled for Friday, 25 September 2026, this year's event has generated immense fervor among devotees, business leaders, and political figures alike. The primary point of interest remains whether the new bids can breach the all-time record of 35 lakh rupees established in the previous year.
The Landmark 35 Lakh Bid and Current Expectations
During the 2025 auction, Lingala Dasharath Goud, a resident of Karmanghat, set a historic benchmark by clinching the sacred offering for 35 lakh rupees. Elegantly arranged on a silver platter, the 21 kg laddu attracts competitive bidding from prominent figures across the region. As soon as the winning bid is declared on Friday morning, the city's principal immersion procession officially commences its journey toward the Hussain Sagar lake, making the early morning auction a pivotal moment of the entire festival.
An Historical Journey Started in 1994 at Just 450 Rupees
The Balapur Ganesh Utsav Samiti initiated this unique tradition back in 1994. In that inaugural year, a local farmer named Kolanu Mohan Reddy secured the laddu for a modest sum of 450 rupees. Local belief holds that bringing this blessed offering home brought his family unprecedented prosperity and a bountiful agricultural harvest. Over the decades, this conviction transformed the event into a deeply revered symbol of faith. Successful bidders typically scatter portions of the laddu across their farmland and business spaces while sharing the rest among family and community members.
Escalation of Winning Bids Over Recent Years
What started as a modest transaction in the hundreds has steadily escalated into tens of lakhs over recent seasons
- 2021: Ramesh Yadav and M. Shashank Reddy secured it for 18.90 lakh rupees.
- 2022: V. Laxman Reddy placed the winning bid of 24.60 lakh rupees.
- 2023: D. Dayanand Reddy acquired the offering for 27.00 lakh rupees.
- 2024: Kolanu Shankar Reddy pushed the mark to 30.01 lakh rupees.
- 2025: Lingala Dasharath Goud set the current record at 35.00 lakh rupees.
Funding Civic Infrastructure and Local Welfare
The entire proceeds generated from the laddu auction are dedicated to the betterment of Balapur village. The committee channels these funds directly into community development projects, including street paving, clean drinking water systems, educational facilities, and the restoration of local heritage temples. This seamless blend of spiritual devotion and civic development ensures that the upcoming morning bid on 25 September remains one of the most anticipated festival events.
