The Lord of new beginnings and the God of knowledge, wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune, Ganesha has arrived. The ten days from Ganesh Chaturthi to Anant Chaturdashi are celebrated with great joy and fervor all over India. Especially in Mumbai, where the festival is a different emotion. Pandal premises decorated with varied themes, Lord Ganesha's idol all adorned and embellished, Ganesh Chaturthi is all pomp and show in Mumbai. Do you know the wealthiest Ganesh Mandal of India? Lalbaugcha Raja might be your guess...but it's not! Mumbai's Gaud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) Seva Mandal is renowned as the wealthiest Ganesh Mandal of India. Located at Kings Circle, Matunga, the GSB Seva Mandal, this year, has installed a Ganesha idol laced with over 60 kg of gold and 325 kg of silver. The GSB Seva Mandal's Ganesha is called "Navasala Pavanaara, Vishwacha Raja", which means "Ganpati fulfills the wishes of his praying devotees".
The Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at the GSB Seva Mandal hold immense significance for the devotees, primarily for the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Community. The Ganapati idol is made with shadu mitti (entirely environment-friendly), painted with natural colors. The puja ceremony and aarti are performed with traditional rituals, with no recorded music played. Unique rituals such as "Tulabhaar", where a person is weighed with food items (of their choice), which are donated among the devotees, are performed. Another one is the "Madsthaan", where people come to eat food sold on banana leaves.
In 2025, GSB Seva Mandal has an insurance cover of a whopping Rs 474.46 crore, registering the highest-ever record. Last year, it was Rs 400 crore, while in 2023, the Mandal had secured an insurance cover of Rs 360.40 crore. The reason for the rise is said to be soaring prices of gold and silver jewelry, with more priests and volunteers included in the Mandal. The Rs 475.46 crore insurance covers:
Insurance against any personal accident (of volunteers, priests, security guards, etc.)
About Rs 67 crore insurance secures Lord Ganesha's jewelry
Public liability insurance (if any accident occurs due to the crowd)
Disaster (any mishap, such as a fire breaks out or an earthquake occurs)
A special insurance of the pandal premises
For Darshan of Lord Ganesha, the GSB Seva Mandal has new digital protocols this year. It includes dynamic QR codes, online and kiosk-based seva bookings, along with slot timings for the puja ceremony. Ensuring smooth darshan of devotees, with proper security and crowd management, the Mandal has deployed around 4000 volunteers, CCTV cameras, health kiosks, fire safety measures, and wheelchairs, among others.
Apart from the grandeur and magnificent celebrations, the GSB Seva Mandal is also known for helping the needy. It provides educational and financial aid to the poor. You can also immerse yourself in devotion and joy by seeking Bappa's blessings at the GSB Ganesh Mandal this year!
