All set for ‘Balapur laddu’ bidding

All is set for the mega ‘laddu’ auction at Balapur on the outskirts of the city. This year participants will be bidding for the  ‘laddu’.

“We expect between 15 and 20 bidders this year too and it would fetch a higher amount,” says  president, Balapur Ganesh Utsav Committee. The ‘laddu’ auction conducted here has become synonymous with the Ganesh festival and is held every year on the final day of the immersion.

The tradition was started in 1994 by members of the local Balapur Ganesh Utsav Committee. Kollan Mohan Reddy, a native of the Balapur village, successfully bided for it for Rs. 450. Interestingly, the same family had participated in most of the auctions and registered success on eight occasions from the total 18 auctions held so far.

Muslims too participate

The money collected through the auction is used for various developments activities in the villages. Even Muslims had participated in the bidding on more than three occasions.

The money was used to renovate an old temple in the village 

Brings good luck

“It is believed that the ‘laddu’ brings good luck to the bidder, and hence, many come forward to participate in the auction. After bidding, the winner distributes it among the villagers and also sprinkles it in the fields for a better crop,” says president of Utsav Committee

The upset price is fixed by the committee and it remains the same every year.