Hyderabad, Sept. 24 -- Preparations are underway in Balapur for the annual Ganesh laddu auction, a three-decade-old tradition that has grown from an initial bid of Rs. 450 in 1994 into a high-profile event. The sacred offering fetched a record Rs. 35 lakh last year, and the upcoming auction is expected to draw devotees, bidders and visitors.

The auction, held ahead of the Ganesh idol's immersion, has become a prominent feature of the city's Ganesh celebrations. What began as a modest village tradition has evolved into an event that attracts considerable public attention, with bidders competing to take home the laddu offered to Lord Ganesha.

The tradition began in 1994 when local farmer Kolan Mohan Reddy won the laddu for Rs. 450. Over t...