GSB Seva Mandal secures ₹703 crore insurance for 2026 Mumbai Ganeshotsav

GSB Seva Mandal has secured a record Rs 703.27-crore insurance cover for its Ganeshotsav, including the idol, ornaments and devotees.

Mumbai: One of the city's most spectacular Ganeshotsav pandals, the GSB Seva Mandal's Maha Ganapati, adorned with more than 66 kg of gold ornaments and over 335 kg of silver and precious gemstones, will be unveiled to devotees on September 12, two days before . Ganesh Chaturthi on September 14.King’s Circle Mandal Marks 72nd YearThis year, the pandal at King's Circle is celebrating its 72nd year. The mandal has taken a ₹703.27-crore insurance cover for this year's festivities — a nearly 50% increase from last year's risk protection of ₹474 crore.The insurance, said Prajwal Kamath, the mandal's spokesperson, will cover risks to the pandal, devotees and their belongings, volunteers, and the deity's jewellery. “We have always ensured the safety and security of the devotees,” said Kamath.Eco-Friendly Initiatives IntroducedThis year, the mandal has introduced digital receipts in place of traditional printed ones as part of its ‘Go Green’ campaign, which also includes an eco-friendly idol.The five-day festival, beginning September 14, is expected to draw thousands of devotees each day. The deity is popularly known among devotees as ‘Navsala Pavnara Vishwacha Raja’ — the King of the World who fulfils devotees’ vows — owing to the blessings and miracles associated with the deity.Over One Lakh Pujas PlannedThe mandal said more than one lakh pujas and sevas will be offered to the deity during the festival, including puja, archana, annadaan, tulabhar and ganahoma, performed according to Vedic rituals and traditions.Mumbai: BMC Removes 38 Unauthorised Stalls Under ‘Pedestrian First’ Campaign, Targets 200 FootpathsAnnadaan is another major feature of the celebrations. The mandal expects more than 40,000 people to partake in prasad bhojan served on banana leaves each day, with over two lakh people expected to benefit from the service over the five days. The first look of the idol will be unveiled at 8pm on September 12 during ‘Virat Darshan Day’.Dr Bhujang Pai, convenor of the GSB Seva Mandal, said the ornaments are generally donated by devotees and sevadars.“We never auction the donations of gold and silver made by devotees. The donated ornaments are used to decorate the deity,” said Kamath.Your voice matters. If you have a community story, issue, or inspiring local experience to share, send it to community@fpj.co.in and be a part of the conversation.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Mumbai’s GSB Seva Mandal at King’s Circle has taken an insurance cover worth Rs 703.27 crore for its Ganeshotsav celebrations in 2026.The mandal, considered among the city’s most affluent Ganpati mandals, has substantially raised its insurance valuation over the past few years. It had secured coverage of Rs 474 crore in 2025 and Rs 400 crore in 2024.Dr Bhujang Pai, Convenor of GSB Seva Mandal, said the policy has been taken to safeguard devotees as well as the valuable jewellery and other assets associated with the festival. Gold, silver ornaments drive higher insurance valuationThe MahaGanpati idol will be adorned with more than 66 kg of gold jewellery and over 335 kg of silver, besides precious gemstones. Pai said many of these ornaments and valuables were contributed by devotees and sevadars over the years.The sharp rise in gold and silver prices has also contributed to the higher valuation of the assets and, consequently, the insurance amount.Chinchpokli Chintamani Ganpati Procession Turns Target For Thieves; Devotees Lose Gold Chains And Phones Worth Lakhs In Lalbaug The deity is widely worshipped as ‘Navsala Pavnara Vishwacha Raja’, meaning the King of the Universe who fulfils devotees’ wishes.GSB Seva Mandal to celebrate 72nd GaneshotsavGSB Seva Mandal will mark the 72nd edition of its Ganeshotsav in 2026. The first public unveiling of Lord MahaGanpati, known as the Virat Darshan, is scheduled for 8 pm on September 12.The five-day festival will commence on September 14 and conclude on September 18, Pai said. During the celebrations, the mandal expects devotees and sevadars to participate in more than one lakh poojas and sevas.The festival will follow traditional religious customs, with devotees participating in various poojas, sevas and offerings.Over 2 lakh devotees expected to benefit from Annadaan SevaAnnadaan Seva will remain an important part of the festival. The mandal expects to provide Prasad Bhojan to over 40,000 devotees every day, potentially benefiting more than two lakh people over the five-day celebrations.As part of the traditional practice, the food will be served on banana leaves, Pai said.Chinchpokli Chintamani Ganpati Procession Turns Target For Thieves; Devotees Lose Gold Chains And Phones Worth Lakhs In LalbaugEco-friendly idol, digital receipts for greener celebrationsSustainability will also be a key focus of this year’s celebrations. Pai said the Lord Ganesha idol will be made entirely from eco-friendly materials.The mandal has additionally done away with printed receipts for donations and sevas, opting instead for a fully digital receipt system. The move is intended to minimise paper consumption and waste during the festival.The Gowd Saraswat Brahman (GSB) Seva Mandal was founded in Mumbai on Vijayadashami in 1951, while its Ganeshotsav festivities began in 1955.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Mumbai: Mumbai’s Gowd Saraswat Brahman (GSB) Seva Mandal, a well-known community Ganesh association, has secured an insurance cover of Rs 703.27 crore for its five-day Ganpati celebrations this year.According to reports, GSB Seva Mandal convenor Dr Bhujang Pai said the MahaGanapati idol will be adorned with over 66 kg of gold, 335 kg of silver and precious gemstones donated by devotees. Mumbai's GSB Seva Mandal has secured a staggering ₹703.27 Crore insurance cover for the 2026 Ganeshotsav. MahaGanapati idol will be adorned with over 66 kgs of gold, 335 kgs of silver, and precious gemstones donated by devotees, according to Convenor Dr. Bhujang Pai.… pic.twitter.com/JyTN6NpLbu— Dr. Rahul Baxi (@baxirahul) September 2, 2026 Celebrating its 72nd year, the Mandal will unveil the first look of its ‘Virat Darshan’ on September 12, 2026, at 8 pm.Eco-friendly celebrations at King’s CircleThe festivities will be held at the Mandal’s venue in Matunga East’s King’s Circle from September 14 to September 18. The Mandal is also focusing on sustainability, with a completely eco-friendly idol. It has further eliminated paper wastage by shifting entirely to digital receipts for donations and sevas.The idol is revered globally as ‘Navsala Pavnara Vishwacha Raja’, or the King of the Universe who fulfils devotees’ wishes, and attracts massive crowds every year. This year, the Mandal expects to conduct over 1 lakh poojas and sevas.Annadan Prasad for devoteesSubsequently, the traditional Annadan Prasad feast will be organised, with over 40,000 devotees served food on banana leaves each day. More than two lakh devotees are expected to partake in the feast over the five days.Mumbai's Most Expensive GSB Ganpati To Adorn 69 Kg Gold & 336 Kg Silver; Mandal Gets ₹474.46 Crore Insurance CoverLast year’s celebrationsLast year, the idol was adorned with more than 69 kg of gold ornaments, over 336 kg of silver and other precious items donated by devotees. The Mandal had also secured an insurance cover of Rs 474.46 crore for the celebrations.The GSB Seva Mandal was established in Mumbai on Vijayadashami in 1951, while its Ganeshotsav celebrations began in 1955.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/