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Balapur Ganesh Draws Devotees With Puri Temple-Themed Pandal

Balapur Ganesh is a very famous Ganesh idol in Hyderabad.

This year, its festival display looks like the Jagannatha Temple in Puri.

Many people visit the display and take part in the celebrations.

Since 1980, the idol has begun Hyderabad's main Ganesh immersion procession.

The idol is later taken to Tank Bund for immersion.

The festival received extra police protection after communal disputes in 1983.

Another important tradition is an auction for a special laddu.

People believe the laddu can bring health, wealth, and prosperity, and people from different religions have joined the auction.

Key facts

Pandal theme: Modeled on the Sri Jagannatha Temple in Puri.
Immersion tradition: Balapur Ganesh has been immersed at Hyderabad's Tank Bund since 1980.
Festival title: It is known as “Praramba Grama Vinayakudu,” meaning the idol that begins Hyderabad's main Ganesh immersion procession.
Laddu auction began: 1994, with Kollan Mohan Reddy winning the first auction for Rs. 450.
Initial bid: The initial bid was later set at Rs. 1,116 as auction interest grew.
Notable auction: Madhava Reddy won a bid for Rs. 1.05 lakh after Ahmed Saadi and Omer Bin Saleh offered Rs. 96,000.
Security: Police deployment reached about 400 personnel after communal disputes affected the 1983 festival.

deccanchronicle.com · 5 hrs ago