The Ganesh Laddu auction is an annual tradition associated with the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, primarily in the Telangana, where Lord Ganesha is particularly revered. The auction involves bidding for the first laddu prasadam offered to Ganapathi. This practice has a rich history and has been used to raise funds for various charitable and social causes. The auction of the first laddu holds immense symbolic value as it represents the acceptance of Lord Ganesha's blessings and the generosity of devotees. It is seen as a way for individuals, celebrities, businesses and real-estate owners to express their devotion to the deity and their commitment to philanthropy.

Bhagyanagar (Greater Hyderabad), popularly known as the "City of Pearls", which has four and half centuries’ old history, rich culture and diverse heritage is also famous for Ganapathi festival. The tallest clay idol in the world is installed at Khairatabad (63 feet). It is a record that around 20 lakh devotees visit lord Ganapathi during these nine days of festival. Organizers placed big prasadam laddu weighing 2200 kg in the hand of Vinayaka. After the immersion of Ganesha, this laddu will be distributed as Prasad to lakhs of devotees.

30 Years of History for Balapur Laddu:

Another interesting aspect is the Prasadam Laddu auction for worshiping at Balapur Vinayaka in the Hyderabad city. Laddus’ are being auctioned for about three decades at the 42-year-old Balapur Vinayaka Mandapam. For the first time in 1994, local farmer Kolanu Mohan Reddy owned laddu at an auction for just 450 rupees. After that, every year the demand of laddus’ is increasing. In 2020 no auction was held due to Corona Pandemic. In last year it has quoted a price of Rs. 24600.

There is a popular belief that those who have invested so many lakhs and get the laddu will get various benefits for their family. Balapur Laddu has many sentiments wrapped around it. Devotees believe that if they bring laddu into the house, all the family will be full of happiness and that will spread for the whole year. Farmers also believed that if the Prasadam is sprinkled in their fields, the crop will turn into gold without any difficulties.

Similar to Balapur, the tradition of auctioning Ganesha's laddu continues in some places in the twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad. In the areas of Madhapur and Jubilee Hills under the Hi-Tech City, real estate businessman competes and gets the laddu in the auction. Devotees do not hesitate to spend lakhs of rupees. Now let's see what is special about the historical Balapur Laddu.

In 2022, much beyond expectations of the organizers, the 21-kg laddu prasadam, fetched a record Rs 24.6 lakh in the auction. Local businessman V. Laxma Reddy was successfully bid for the laddu prasadam. This bid was the highest in the last 29 years after it was first auctioned in 1994. In 2021, the successful bid for Rs 18.90 lakh was made by two partners; then Andhra Pradesh MLC Ramesh Yadav and Abacus Overseas Education company COO Marri Shashank Reddy.

Not only locals of Balapur, all the devotees of twin cities believe that laddu brings them good luck, health, wealth and prosperity. In fact, they call the laddu Bangaru laddu (Golden Laddu).

The history of the laddu’s auction dates back to 1994 when it was successfully bid for by a local, Kolan Mohan Reddy, for Rs 450. The tradition of auction has continued till today. In fact, according to the organizers, laddu auctioning in the country began in Balapur, a suburb of Hyderabad city in 1994.

Historical Records in Maharastra:

Laddu auctions also held in Maharastra. Several prominent Ganesh pandals in Maratha belt, particularly in Pune and Mumbai, conduct the laddu auction every year. These auctions are often attended by politicians, celebrities, and philanthropists who participate in the bidding process to win the honor of receiving the first laddu blessed by Lord Ganesha. The funds raised through the auction are typically used for charitable and social causes. These may include supporting educational institutions, healthcare facilities, welfare programs for the underprivileged, and various community development initiatives.

Over the years, the auction for the first Ganesh Laddu has set several records, particularly in terms of the amount of money raised. In 2010, The Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai auctioned its first laddu for a Rs 8.95 lakh. Pune's Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust's laddu was sold for Rs 10 lakh in 2011. Recently in 2019, the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in Mumbai's Lalbaug area auctioned its laddu for Rs 16.6 lakh.

These record-breaking bids highlight the devotion and generosity of individuals and organizations who actively participate in the auction and contribute to charitable causes.