Vaidehi Limaye takes us on a tour of Mumbai's most expensive Ganesh idols
Vaidehi Limaye takes us on a tour of Mumbai's most expensive Ganesh idols
G S B Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti, Wadala
Every year, since the mandal was established in 1954, the jewellery on the Ganesh idol gets heavier. This year it's worth Rs 10 crore that's the cost of the idol and all the jewellery that's been donated in the last 55 years.
The idol has a 22-kg gold crown, a gold necklace weighing 1.7 kg, 21-foot high carved silver prabhaval (a depiction of the halo) weighing around 110 kg, among other jewellery.
The modak, hands, snake, tusks, kamala (lotus), throne and peacocks all made of gold have also been donated this year.
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Patrons have also donated cash worth Rs 25 lakh. Ulhas Kamat, trustee of GSB Seva Mandal said, "This time we expect more people to visit the Lord, as everyone wants protection from swine flu."
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Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, ParelEven though organisers refuse to disclose the worth of the much-loved idol, it's an accepted fact that the amount will run into lakhs.
This year, the organisers have decided to cut down on decoration costs keeping in mind the recent deaths caused by swine flu.
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But Satish Khankar, president of the mandal, said, "We don't believe that people will stay away from the pandal because of swine flu."
Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, Ganesh Galli, Parel
This year, the 22-ft idol here costs Rs 1.4 lakh, including the jewellery. However, the decoration a life size replica of the Kedarnath temple is worth Rs 29 lakh.
Swapneel Parab, secretary of the 82-year-old mandal, said, "We want people in Mumbai to know about places in India that aren't easily accessible, hence the replica of the Kedarnath temple."
Idol at Giri Trading Agency, Matunga
Giri Trading Agency is a company that deals in the import and export of idols. In a first for the company, they've brought a Ganesh idol to Mumbai from south India to sell it for Rs 4.86 lakh.
The idol has been carved from jade and weighs 60 kg. Rekha, an attendant at Giri Trading Agency, said, "People come to our shop to look at the idol. But nobody has come forward to buy it."