MUMBAI, 27 AUGUST, 2025 (GPN): GSB Seva Mandal at King’s Circle, the richest Ganesh mandal in the city, has procured record-breaking insurance of Rs 474.46 crore for its five-day Ganpati festival spanning August 27-31.

The policy was issued by its regular insurer New India Assurance, although the mandal did not disclose the premium paid.

This year the Ganesh idol is adorned with more than 69 kg of gold ornaments, over 336 kg of silver, and other precious items donated by devotees,” said Amit Pai, Chairman of GSB Seva Mandal, to GPN.

He said the mandal, which claims to be the richest Ganesh mandal in the country, will be celebrating its 71st year of Ganeshotsav this time. Last year, the mandal had an insurance cover of Rs. 400.58 crore.He said, “Of Rs 400.58 crore, the largest component of Rs 325 crore involved personal accident.Of the total cover, Rs 67.03 crore has been earmarked for gold, silver and other jewellery, the statement said.

This year the mandal has an insurance cover of Rs 474.46, While Rs 375 crore concerns personal accident insurance for volunteers, cooks, priests, footwear stall workers, valets and security guards, Rs 30 crore is towards public liability, covering pandals, stadiums and devotees, it said.

The policy also includes a standard fire and special peril cover for furniture, fixtures, digital assets and other materials at the venue.

Rs 67 crore is for gold, silver, and jewels, compared to Rs 43 crore in 2024 and Rs 38 crore in 2023; Rs 30 crore: Public liability insurance; Rs 2 crore: Fire and special peril cover including earthquake; Rs 43 lakh: Fire and special peril for the venue premises.

“Every year, GSB Seva Mandal reaches out to the weaker sections of society by supporting education to those who might otherwise be excluded, thereby fostering individual growth and societal progress,” Pai added.

The festivities, held at King’s Circle in Sion, will begin with Ganesh Chaturthi on August 27 and continue for five days.

The Mahaganpati  is crafted from eco friendly clay (shadu mati), reinforced with grass and colored using natural paints—maintaining a sustainable approach to decoration. Traditional South Indian temple instruments accompany the celebrations—eschewing recorded music—for an immersive spiritual ambiance Mumbai Ganeshotsav. The lifesize idol is seated on a new silver throne, weighing nearly 100 kg, holding a new golden hibiscus flower; addition to its vast collection of jewellery.

The mandal is known by devotees as Navsala Pavnara Vishwacha Raja—a name reflecting beliefs in the idol’s miraculous blessings.Devotees offer around 60,000 pujas and rituals over the five-day festival, with massive participation in annadaan (sacred meal service)—serving prasad on banana leaves to thousands.