12 September,2026 08:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The GSB Ganpati idol was unveiled amid the presence of a large number of devotees on Saturday. PIC/via Prajwal Kamath
The first look of Mumbai's iconic GSB Ganpati was unveiled on Saturday, with the Maha Ganapati idol adorned with over 66 kg of pure gold and 335 kg of silver ahead of the 72nd GSB Seva Mandal Ganeshotsav.
The GSB Seva Mandal, King's Circle, will celebrate its 72nd Ganeshotsav from September 14 to 18, 2026. The five-day festivities will begin with the unveiling of the sacred Virat Darshan of Lord Maha Ganapati.
The idol, one of Mumbai's most prominent Ganpati idols, has been adorned with over 66 kg of gold and 335 kg of silver as part of the mandal's traditional celebrations.
During the festival, traditional Vedic priests will conduct more than 1 lakh poojas and sevas. The celebrations will feature several religious offerings, including Maha Moodganapati Pooja, Moodganapati Pooja, Sahasra Modak Havana, Modak Naivedya, Flower Pooja, Ranga Pooja, Deeparadhana Seva, Durva Archana Seva, Mahabhog Seva, Prasad Vitarana Seva, Sahasra Bhojan Seva, Tulabhar Seva and Annadaan Seva.
As part of its annadaan tradition, the mandal said it will serve fresh prasad meals to around 40,000 devotees every day, with more than 2 lakh people expected to be served during the five-day festival.
The mandal has also announced extensive security arrangements for the celebrations. Around 555 dedicated security personnel will work in round-the-clock shifts alongside law enforcement agencies.
The venue will be monitored through a network of 100 high-definition CCTV and PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras, providing 360-degree real-time surveillance linked to a central command room.
For the 2026 celebrations, GSB Seva Mandal has secured an insurance policy worth Rs 703.27 crore covering visiting devotees, volunteers and sacred assets.
The mandal has also said that all seva booking receipts and contributions will be completely digital and paperless as part of its efforts towards environmental sustainability.
The GSB Seva Mandal has invited devotees to seek the blessings of Lord Maha Ganapati during the five-day Ganeshotsav, which begins on September 14.
