Balapur Ganesh Laddu Auction 2025: BJP Leader Lingala Dasharath Goud Secures Iconic 21-kg Laddu for ₹35 Lakh
Hyderabad, September 6, 2025 – The annual Balapur Ganesh Laddu Auction, one of Hyderabad’s most awaited Ganesh Chaturthi traditions, witnessed spirited bidding on Saturday morning, culminating in a new milestone. Senior BJP leader Lingala Dasharath Goud, hailing from Karmanghat, clinched the revered 21-kg ‘Bangaru Laddu’ (Golden Laddu) for a record-breaking ₹35 lakh.
This year’s bid surpassed last year’s record of ₹30.01 lakh, which was won by BJP leader Kolan Shankar Reddy, marking a significant rise of nearly ₹5 lakh. The auction, steeped in faith and symbolism, has become a cultural highlight across the Telugu states and continues to attract national attention.
📜 From ₹450 in 1994 to ₹35 Lakh in 2025
The Balapur Ganesh Laddu auction began in 1994, when local farmer Kolan Mohan Reddy secured the first laddu for just ₹450. What started as a humble tradition has since evolved into a prestigious event, with devotees competing for the divine prasadam, believed to bring prosperity, health, and agricultural bounty.
Over the years, the Kolan family has won the laddu multiple times, fueling faith in its spiritual powers. In fact, Kolan Mohan Reddy himself credited his farm’s increased productivity to sprinkling the laddu across his fields, a practice that many winners continue even today.
🎉 The 2025 Auction: Fierce but Brief
Organized by the Balapur Ganesh Utsav Samithi (BGUS), the auction took place at the Balapur Ganesh temple amidst thunderous chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya and the presence of thousands of devotees.
The fierce bidding lasted less than 10 minutes, with increments capped at ₹3–5 lakh per year as per BGUS rules. This regulation, introduced in recent years, ensures steady growth and broader participation. Another stipulation requires all bidders to deposit the previous year’s winning bid amount in advance, making the process more structured than in earlier decades.
The prized laddu was presented in a two-kilogram silver bowl, wrapped in golden foil, adding grandeur to its symbolic importance.
🙏 Winner’s Statement
After emerging victorious, Lingala Dasharath Goud expressed his gratitude:
“Winning the Balapur Ganesh Laddu is not just about money—it is a divine honor. I dedicate this victory to Lord Ganesha and to the people of Hyderabad. With His blessings, I believe this prasadam will bring prosperity and happiness to my family and community.”
💰 Where the Money Goes
The BGUS committee announced that the proceeds from the auction will be directed toward village development, temple maintenance, education, and welfare programs. This philanthropic aspect is a cornerstone of the tradition, reinforcing the auction’s role beyond spirituality.
🌍 Balapur vs. Other Ganesh Laddus
While the Balapur laddu remains the most celebrated public auction, several gated communities and temples in Hyderabad have adopted similar traditions.
This year, the Keerthi Richmond Villas community in Bandlaguda made headlines when its Ganesh laddu fetched an astonishing ₹2.32 crore—the highest ever for any Ganesh laddu in India. However, as it was limited to community residents, it is not considered a public event like Balapur’s.
In contrast, the Khairatabad Ganesh, Hyderabad’s tallest and most iconic idol, does not auction its laddu, making Balapur unique in combining faith, bidding, and philanthropy.
🚩 Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 in Hyderabad
The 2025 celebrations have seen unprecedented participation. By September 2, over 1,21,905 idols were immersed, with another 50,000 immersions scheduled for the grand finale on September 6.
The Balapur Ganesh idol joined the Khairatabad Ganesh in its final procession to Hussain Sagar Lake, where immersion took place under elaborate security arrangements involving 25,000 police personnel.
✨ Faith, Tradition, and Community Spirit
From its humble beginnings to its current stature, the Balapur Ganesh Laddu Auction stands as a symbol of Hyderabad’s cultural vibrancy and spiritual devotion. It represents not just competition but also community bonding, collective faith, and social service.
As Hyderabad bid farewell to Lord Ganesha this year, the Balapur laddu once again proved to be more than just a sweet—it is a beacon of blessings and prosperity, inspiring awe and reverence across generations.
