11 September,2025 07:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania
Two friends, Rajendra Chavan and Suresh Jaswani, purchased a `gada (mace)` for Rs 25,000. PIC/SHIRISH VAKTANIA
At the annual Lalbaugcha Raja auction, a total of 108 valuables, including gold and silver items, were sold mandal collecting Rs 1,65,71,111 from the bids. The much-anticipated auction, which was held on Thursday, drew enthusiastic participation from devotees across Mumbai and beyond.
Among the first successful bidders was Nagesh Desai, a resident of Mulund, who purchased a 56-gram silver Ganpati idol for Rs 50,000, after bidding opened at Rs 5,000.
"I wanted to be the first to win something in the auction, and I was ready to bid any amount for it," Desai told mid-day.com.
In another notable sale, Suyog Warde from Goregaon bid Rs 38,000 to acquire a silver mooshak (mouse) on behalf of his uncle Anil Mhatre, fulfilling a personal vow.
"My uncle asked me to bring home a mooshak from Lalbaugcha Raja at any cost, and I did that," Warde shared.
Jayshree Shah of Borivali successfully bid Rs 41,000 for a 244-gram silver modak, another highly sought-after item in the auction.
Meanwhile, two friends, Rajendra Chavan from Lalbaug and Suresh Jaswani from Ulhasnagar, jointly purchased a silver gada (mace) for Rs 25,000, while Dilip Andhale from Tardeo took home a silver coconut for Rs 35,000.
Topping the day's sales, Ashok Choradiya, a Panvel resident, won a large silver modak with a bid of Rs 61,000.
The annual auction is a long-standing tradition at Lalbaugcha Raja, with proceeds supporting community and charitable activities organised by the mandal.
