Balapur Laddu Sells for ₹39 Lakh as Hyderabad’s Ganesh Immersion Begins

HYDERABAD — The city’s annual Ganesh Visarjan began on Friday, 25 September 2026, with a procession from Khairatabad that will run until Saturday, 26 September. Police announced that traffic will be restricted in the central districts for the duration of the immersion to accommodate the 25,000‑person deployment and 10,000 CCTV cameras set up by the city administration.

Record‑Breaking Laddu Auction

The highlight of the day was the auction of a Balapur‑made Ganesh laddu that fetched a record ₹39 lakh from a single bidder. The laddu, weighing 12 kg and crafted by artisans from the village of Balapur, was sold at a public auction held at the Khairatabad Ganesh immersion centre. The auction was organised by the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in collaboration with the Telangana State Tourism Department to raise funds for the maintenance of the immersion site.

According to the auction notice published by the corporation, the laddu was offered to the public on a first‑come, first‑served basis. The winning bid was received from a private collector in Hyderabad. The proceeds will be used to refurbish the immersion platform and to support local artisans who produce the traditional sweets.

Traffic Management and Security Measures

The Telangana Police Department released a traffic management plan that includes lane closures on the Outer Ring Road, Secunderabad Road, and the main thoroughfares of the city centre. The plan also states that all private vehicles will be prohibited from entering the designated routes from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both 25 and 26 September.

In addition to traffic restrictions, the city has deployed 25,000 personnel across the route, including 10,000 CCTV cameras to monitor crowd movement and ensure safety. The security arrangement follows the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs for large public gatherings.

Immersion Procession Details

The immersion procession began at 9:30 a.m. from Khairatabad and will travel through the historic streets of the city, passing by the Osmania University campus and the Charminar before reaching the Hussain Sagar lake. The route is expected to attract over 5 million spectators, according to the Hyderabad City Police.

Officials confirmed that the immersion will be conducted in a controlled manner, with a dedicated team of volunteers overseeing the disposal of the idols in a manner compliant with the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The idols will be submerged in the lake after the final prayers.

Community and Cultural Significance

The Balapur laddu auction is part of a larger tradition of using large, elaborate sweets as offerings to Lord Ganesh. The laddu’s size and the high price reflect the growing trend of high‑value offerings in urban centres. The auction also serves as a fundraiser for local artisans, who have faced economic challenges during the pandemic.

In a statement released by the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, the chief officer said that the auction was a “symbolic gesture to preserve cultural heritage while supporting the local economy.” The statement also highlighted that the city will continue to monitor the crowd and traffic conditions closely.

Implications for City Planning

City planners noted that the traffic curbs will affect commuters in the central districts, but the measures are deemed necessary to prevent congestion and ensure the safety of the large crowds. The Hyderabad Traffic Police will maintain a 24‑hour helpline for commuters to report any traffic disruptions.

The Telangana State Tourism Department has announced that the immersion will be streamed live on its official website and social media channels to reach a wider audience. The department also plans to document the event for future archival purposes.