Hyderabad, September 7, 2013:
 

Khairatabad Ganesha, the tallest idol installed during Ganesh Chaturthi festival in South India every year, will have laddu of a considerable size in his left hand this year. The is being made by Sri Bhakthanjaneya “Suruchi Foods,” a sweets and savouries maker from Tapeswaram in East Godavari district, known particularly for his ‘kaja’, a delicacy from the region. This is getting ready to make a six-foot diameter, 4,000 kg ‘Maha laddu’ as a special offering to the Khairatabad Ganesha in the State capital. The process of making the first laddu was showcased in a documentary ‘Maha Ganapathiki Maha Naivedyam’ (offering for Maha Ganapathi) that was released by Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan.

Polisetty Mallibabu, owner of Suruchi Foods and 15 others took deeksha and wore Ganesh Mala for making this ‘laddu’ in their home-cum-factory at Tapeswaram near Mandapeta on 31 of last month after performing Ganesha pooja.

The laddu will be sent to Hyderabad on September 8.

On September 9, the laddu will be handed over to the Khairatabad pandal organisers in the presence of Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and several Ministers, Mr. Mallibabu said. Asked if the Khairatabad Ganesh idol could withstand the weight of the laddu, he said, the organisers were in touch with him. “As the idol was made with 10 tonnes of iron, it can easily take the weight of the laddu,” he said. Ingredients, include 200 kg of cashew nuts, badam (100 kg), yellow camphor (20 kg), cardamom (50 kg), Bengal gram (1000 kg), ghee (900 kg) and 1,600 kilos of sugar.

Though no preservatives are used, the laddu would stay fresh for six months, he assured.

Source: The Hindu, September 7, 2013