Ganeshotsav 2026: Mumbai’s GSB Seva Mandal to celebrate 72nd year, secures Rs 703.27 crore insurance cover

Mumbairsquos GSB Seva Mandal at Kingrsquos Circle has secured an insurance cover of Rs 70327 crore for its Ganeshotsav 2026 celebrationsThe mandal popularly regarded as one of Mumbairsquos wealthiest Ganpati mandals has increased its insurance cover significantly compared with previous years The cover stood at Rs 474 crore in 2025 and Rs 400 crore in 2024Dr Bhujang Pai Convenor of GSB Seva Mandal said the insurance was intended to protect devotees and the valuable ornaments and other assets associated with the celebrationsMahaGanpati to wear gold and silver ornamentsThe MahaGanpati idol will be decorated with more than 66 kg of gold ornaments and over 335 kg of silver along with precious gemstonesAccording to Pai several of these ornaments and valuables have been donated by devotees and sevadars over the yearsThe rising prices of gold and silver are among the key reasons for the increase in the overall valuation and insurance coverThe deity is popularly revered as lsquoNavsala Pavnara Vishwacha Rajarsquo meaning the King of the Universe who fulfils devoteesrsquo wishesVirat Darshan on September 12GSB Seva Mandal will celebrate the 72nd year of its Ganeshotsav in 2026The Virat Darshan marking the first public unveiling of Lord MahaGanpati will take place at 8 pm on September 12The main fiveday Ganeshotsav will begin on September 14 and continue until September 18 Pai saidOver one lakh poojas and sevas expectedThe mandal expects devotees and sevadars to perform more than one lakh poojas and sevas during the fiveday festivalThe celebrations will feature traditional religious rituals and practices with devotees taking part in various poojas sevas and other offeringsRead more on Ganeshotsave 2026 hereAnnadaan Seva for more than two lakh devoteesThe traditional Annadaan Seva will also be a major part of the celebrationsThe mandal expects to serve Prasad Bhojan to more than 40000 devotees each day meaning more than two lakh people could benefit from the service during the fiveday festivalThe food will traditionally be served on banana leaves Pai saidGSB Seva Mandal focuses on sustainabilityThe mandal is also promoting a greener Ganeshotsav this yearAccording to Pai the Lord Ganesha idol will be completely ecofriendlyThe mandal has also stopped using printed receipts for donations and sevas Instead it has moved entirely to digital receipts reducing paper use and wasteFocus on a greener GaneshotsavThe mandal is also focusing on sustainability this year According to Pai the Lord Ganesha idol will be completely ecofriendlyGSB Seva Mandal has also eliminated the use of printed receipts for donations and sevas by shifting entirely to digital receipts a move aimed at reducing paper wastage and promoting a greener GaneshotsavThe Gowd Saraswat Brahman GSB Seva Mandal was established in Mumbai on Vijayadashami in 1951 while its Ganeshotsav celebrations began in 1955