Ganesh Laddu fetches Rs 5.07 lakh

HYDERABAD: Keeping with the tradition of auctioning Balapur Ganesh Laddu on the 11th day of Ganesh festival, Balapur Laddu was auctioned for Rs 5.07 lakh, with an increase of Rs 92,000 compared to last year's bidding.
    
Last year, the laddu, weighing 21 kg and made of dry fruits and pure ghee, was auctioned for Rs 4.15 lakh.

A large number of devotees thronged near the Ganesh mandap to worship the god and witness the auction. The tradition of auctioning Balapur Laddu began in 1994.
    
It was believed that the laddu brings good luck to the bidder who won the auction. Later, the winner would distribute it among the villagers and would also sprinkle some of it in the field for a better crop.
    
This year 22 bidders participated in the auction with luck favouring K Mohan Reddy who had first won the auction for Rs 450 in 1994.
    
After the auction, Balapur Ganesh on the city outskirts, began its journey towards main centralised immersion procession passing through old city amdist tight security.