GSB Seva Mandal’s Mahaganapati Insured for Record ₹703.27 Crore Ahead of 72nd Ganeshotsav

GSB Seva Mandal: Mumbai’s GSB Seva Mandal, widely regarded as the city’s richest Ganpati mandal, has secured an insurance cover of ₹703.27 crore for its Mahaganapati idol and associated valuables ahead of the 72nd edition of its Ganeshotsav celebrations. The five-day festival will be held from September 14 to September 18, 2026, at Shree Sukriteendra Nagar, King’s Circle.

Organisers said the insurance cover is intended to safeguard the safety and security of devotees as well as the Mandal’s assets throughout the celebrations.

The ₹703.27 crore figure marks a substantial increase from previous years. The Mandal had secured insurance worth ₹474 crore in 2025 and ₹400 crore in 2024. The rise in cover comes in line with the escalating value of the gold and silver ornaments adorning the deity each year.

GSB Seva Mandal: Deity to Be Unveiled September 12, Adorned in Gold and Silver

The Mahaganapati idol will be unveiled on September 12. According to Bhujang Pai, Convenor of the GSB Seva Mandal, the idol is decorated with more than 66 kg of gold ornaments and over 335 kg of silver, along with precious gemstones. Many of these ornaments have been donated over the years by devotees and sevadars.

The deity, popularly referred to by devotees as “Navsala Pavnara Vishwacha Raja” — the King of the Universe who fulfils devotees’ wishes — will sit at the centre of the five-day celebrations, surrounded by flowers and elaborate gold and silver embellishments.

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GSB Seva Mandal: A Festival Rooted in Vedic Tradition Since 1955

The GSB Seva Mandal’s Ganeshotsav has been celebrated since 1955 and this year marks its 72nd edition. The Mandal is known for conducting the festival through traditional Vedic rituals, with organisers stating that more than one lakh pujas and sevas are offered to the Maha Ganapati on average during the festival. Thousands of devotees are expected to visit the pandal each day of the celebrations.

A major highlight of the festival remains the Mandal’s Annadaan Seva. More than 40,000 devotees are served prasad bhojan every day during the celebrations, with more than two lakh people expected to benefit from the service across the five days.

GSB Seva Mandal: Charitable Work Beyond the Festival

Established in 1951 as a charitable, non-profit trust, the G.S.B. Seva Mandal’s activities extend well beyond the annual Ganeshotsav. The Mandal’s year-round work includes medical assistance, educational support, blood donation drives, welfare and career guidance programmes, knowledge camps, and funeral assistance for members of the community.

Among its ongoing projects is a proposed 200-bed multi-speciality charitable hospital at Versave in Mira-Bhayandar, aimed at providing affordable healthcare. The Mandal also runs its “Santushta Annadaan” initiative, launched during the Covid pandemic, which provides freshly prepared, nutritious vegetarian meals near public hospitals, orphanages, and areas with economically vulnerable communities.

GSB Seva Mandal: Going Green: Digital Receipts and an Eco-Friendly Idol

The Mandal is introducing sustainability-focused changes to this year’s celebrations under its “Go Green” campaign. Organisers said the Mandal has discontinued traditional printed receipts in favour of a digital system to reduce paper consumption, and that the Maha Ganapati idol itself is eco-friendly this year.

The celebrations are being conducted with the support of a large volunteer force, with devotees travelling from across India and abroad to seek the blessings of Mahaganapati. GSB Seva Mandal spokesperson RG Bhat said that information regarding the celebrations would be made available through the Mandal’s designated spokespersons and coordinators.

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