Local resident and agriculturist Singi Reddy Jaihind Reddy wins the bid. Speaking to press after offering prayers, Mr. Jaihind said that the family for long has been planning to bid the laddu and tasted success now.

Excitement and surprises marked the Balapur laddu auction. An agriculturist, Singireddy Jaihind Reddy, bought the laddu for Rs. 9.50 lakh on Monday. Last year, TDP leader Teegala Krishna Reddy bought it for Rs. 9.26 lakh.

A total of 24 people participated in the auction but the main competition was between Maheshwaram MLA Teegala Krishna Reddy, businessman K. Madan Mohan Reddy, and a local resident Singi Reddy Jaihind Reddy. The bidding started at around 10 a.m. with a minimum bid amount of Rs. 1,116.

After the auction, Mr. Jaihind Reddy along with his family members took the laddu to nearby temple and offered prayers. The laddu is later distributed amongst the villagers and also sprinkled in the fields for they believe it brings good luck.

Speaking to press after offering prayers, Mr. Jaihind said that the family for long has been planning to bid the laddu and tasted success now.

The tradition was started in the year 1994 – the first time the laddu was auctioned for Rs. 450 and was bought by one K Mohan Reddy, a local resident of the village.

Many dignitaries including Transport Minister P. Mahender Reddy, Achampet MLA P. Bala Raj, Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Committee president Bhagvanth Rao and other visited the Balapur Ganesh.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Asif Yar Khan / Hyderabad – September 08th, 2014