The sound of trumpets and the chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya!” echoed through the city as Mumbai’s most revered and richest Ganesh pandal, the GSB Seva Mandal, opened its doors to devotees for the start of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival on Wednesday. As always, the main attraction is the idol of Lord Ganesha, which is adorned with an eye-popping amount of precious metal, reinforcing the pandal’s reputation as the “Gold Ganpati.”
This year, the idol is lavishly decorated with approximately 60 kg of gold and over 300 kg of silver, making it one of the most valuable Ganesha idols in the world. The value of the ornaments is estimated to be over ₹6.5 crore, a figure that reflects both the sheer weight of the precious metals and the soaring market prices of gold and silver.
The pandal, located in King’s Circle, Sion, has become an annual pilgrimage site for devotees, who wait in long queues for hours to get a glimpse of the resplendent deity. The GSB Seva Mandal has secured a record-breaking insurance cover of ₹474.46 crore for the five-day festival, a testament to the immense value of the idol and its ornaments. The policy not only covers the gold and silver but also provides personal accident insurance for volunteers, security guards, and the lakhs of devotees who visit the pandal.
“The devotion of our community and the generosity of our donors is what makes this celebration possible,” said one of the organizers. “This is a reflection of our faith and a way of giving back to the community through our charitable activities, which are also funded by these donations.”
Beyond the wealth on display, the GSB Seva Mandal is celebrated for its traditional, eco-friendly celebrations and its commitment to social causes, including educational assistance for underprivileged students. The grand decorations and strict security measures are a hallmark of the GSB pandal, which continues to be a symbol of faith, tradition, and community spirit in the heart of Mumbai.
