Daijiworld Media Network – Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Sep 25: The famed Balapur Ganesh laddu fetched a record Rs 39 lac at the annual auction held during Ganesh Visarjan celebrations in Ranga Reddy on Friday.

Sam Praneeth Reddy, a 35-year-old businessman from Vanasthalipuram associated with Arban Reality Group, won the 21-kg sacred laddu after placing the highest bid among eight participants.

Reddy, who recently returned to India from the United States and started his business under the name ‘Arban Groups’, celebrated the victory by posing with the Balapur Ganesh laddu after the auction.

Last year, Lingala Dasharath Goud won the laddu for Rs 35 lac.

The tradition of auctioning the auspicious laddu began in 1994, when it was sold for Rs 450. The practice has continued every year since then.

A portion of the auction proceeds is set aside for Ganesh Puja celebrations the following year, while the remaining amount is used by organisers for developmental programmes in the Balapur area.

Meanwhile, the grand Balapur Shobha Yatra began on Friday as devotees prepared to immerse the Ganesh idol, marking the conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

VHP National Spokesperson Ravinuthala Shashidhar said comprehensive arrangements had been made for the mass immersion event, with the government, administration and police putting systems in place to facilitate the celebrations.

The immersion processions were being held amid security arrangements by local authorities and police to ensure the safe movement of devotees and maintain public order.

Ganesh Chaturthi marks the celebration of Lord Ganesha’s birth and is observed with idol installations, prayers, devotional offerings and festive gatherings. The festival is celebrated across several parts of the country with public processions and immersion ceremonies.