Archive · 15 Sep 2026
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.
This year's Balapur Ganesh pandal in Hyderabad is modeled on the Sri Jagannatha Temple in Puri.
Balapur Ganesh is one of Hyderabad's best-known idols and has led the main immersion procession since 1980.
The idol has been immersed at Hyderabad's Tank Bund, with heightened security following communal disputes in 1983.
The Balapur Ganesh laddu auction began in 1994, when Kollan Mohan Reddy won it for Rs. 450.
Muslim bidders have participated in the auction, which organizers and participants have described as promoting communal harmony.
- Who
- Balapur Ganesh Utsava Samithi organizers and devotees, along with participants in the laddu auction.
- What
- A Puri Jagannath Temple-themed pandal is attracting devotees, while Balapur Ganesh continues its immersion and laddu-auction traditions.
- When
- The themed pandal is being presented this year; the immersion tradition dates back to 1980 and the laddu auction to 1994.
- Where
- Balapur in Hyderabad, Telangana, with the idol traditionally immersed at Hyderabad's Tank Bund.
- Why
- The temple-themed pandal was created to attract devotees, while the auction reflects beliefs that the laddu brings health, wealth, and prosperity.
- 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.