Hyderabad witnessed a fresh milestone at the renowned Balapur Ganesh celebrations as the annual laddu auction shattered all previous records. Real estate and infrastructure developer Sama Praneeth Reddy placed the winning bid of Rs 39 lakh to claim the revered prasadam. The final amount registered an increase of Rs 4 lakh over the previous year, when the laddu was auctioned for Rs 35 lakh, drawing loud cheers from the massive gathering present at the venue.
The Winning Bidder: Sama Praneeth Reddy
Sama Praneeth Reddy is an established figure within Hyderabad's infrastructure and property development landscape. He serves as promoter and director of Urban Group, a prominent company based in Vanasthalipuram. His enterprise manages major residential and commercial ventures across the city and neighboring regions. Alongside business operations, Praneeth Reddy participates actively in civic initiatives and religious gatherings. Expressing his reverence, he shared that possessing the sacred Balapur Ganesh laddu brings divine grace, prosperity, and peace to his family and the entire organization.
High Stakes Among New Contenders
The bidding process got underway at 9:30 AM amid an enthusiastic ceremonial setting. In accordance with established convention, prospective bidders enrolled by remitting a registration fee of Rs 5,000. Intense interest marked this edition, with nine first-time entrants stepping forward to compete. Praneeth Reddy, participating for the very first time, maintained a decisive edge over rival contenders and ultimately sealed the win with his record Rs 39 lakh offer.
Three Decades of Milestones: From Rs 450 to Rs 39 Lakh
The auction tradition at Balapur spans more than three decades, tracing its origin back to 1994. In that inaugural edition, Kolanu Mohan Reddy bought the laddu for just Rs 450. Over the years, the bidding value escalated dramatically. In 2002, Kandada Madhava Reddy took the figure past the six-figure threshold with a winning bid of Rs 1.05 lakh. By 2015, Kallem Madan Mohan Reddy pushed the benchmark to Rs 10.32 lakh. The annual tradition faced an interruption in 2020, when the auction was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. In recent times, Kolanu Shankar Reddy won the bid in 2024 for Rs 30.01 lakh, followed by Lingala Dasharath Goud in 2025 at Rs 35 lakh. The 2026 auction has now set an unprecedented high of Rs 39 lakh.
The 16-Kilometre Procession Towards Hussain Sagar
Right after the culmination of the bidding event, the ceremonial immersion procession of Balapur Ganesh set out for Hussain Sagar (Tank Bund). The traditional route extended across 16 kilometres, journeying from Balapur through Chandrayangutta, Falaknuma, the historic Charminar, Afzalgunj, MJ Market, and Abids before reaching Tank Bund. Lakhs of devotees lined the route throughout the procession to catch a final glimpse and pay homage to Lord Ganesha.
