GREAT ATTRACTION: Laddu of Balapur Ganapathi which will be auctioned on Wednesday. — PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

HYDERABAD: The sleepy village of Balapur beyond Chandrayangutta is getting ready for the D-day.

The village is decked up with saffron flags, posters, sound systems and banners for Wednesday's auction of renowned Balapur laddu and the subsequent Ganesh idol procession.

Newly-laid road

This year's Ganesh festival has brought cheer to villagers, thanks to the newly-laid black top road, which connects it with Chandrayangutta main road. It will help in the smooth flow of the procession, which was always delayed in the past.

The tradition of auctioning the Balapur laddu dates back to 1994 when it fetched Rs.4,500. The bids have skyrocketed ever since with the laddu went for a staggering Rs. 2.08 lakhs last year. Incidentally, the winning bidder was Balapur village sarpanch Ibram Sekhar.

In 2004, local farmer K. Mohan Reddy had picked up the laddu for Rs. 2.01 lakhs.

Trendsetters

"Our village is the first one in the State to begin auctioning the Ganesh ladduon the occasion of immersion. We believe that whoever wins the bid, makes profit economically because Goddess Lakshmi blesses them with prosperity and happiness," says Balapur Ganesh Utsav Committee president Madhusudhan Reddy.

The festivities will commence at 5 a.m. with special poojas to the deity and `grama pradakshina' of Lord Ganesha.

The auctioning of the laddu will be held between 8 and 9 a.m., after which the procession will start. The laddu that was specially prepared by Agra Sweet House, located in Gulzaar Houz near Charminar, weighs 21 kg and whoever wants to bid, has to deposit Rs.500 before the bidding process begins.

The highest bidder takes the laddu and pays the money next year. "This has been the tradition here. Ibram Sekhar will be handing over the money in front of the villagers to the Utsav Committee members," Mr. Madhusudhan Reddy says.

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