The GSB Seva Mandal at King’s Circle, one of Mumbai’s most prominent Ganesh mandals, has announced a record-breaking insurance cover of Rs 474.46 crore for its 71st Ganeshotsav celebrations. This is the highest-ever insurance cover for a Ganesh mandal in the country. The mandal is widely known for hosting India’s richest Ganpati idol, adorned with more than 69 kilogrammes of gold ornaments and 336 kilogrammes of silver. The idol will be seated in the pandal for five days from August 27 to 31, with the first unveiling on August 25.
“Our Mahaganapati is fondly called ‘Navsala Pavnara Vishwacha Raja’ by devotees, and we consider it our responsibility to safeguard everyone who visits the pandal,” said Amit D Pai, the Chairman of GSB Seva Mandal. “This year, we have secured the highest-ever Ganeshotsav insurance cover, ensuring both the idol and devotees are fully protected,” he added.
The massive cover, been arranged with The New India Insurance Co Ltd, includes protection for the idol’s ornaments, public liability, fire and earthquake risks, venue premises and personal accident insurance for thousands of volunteers and staff. Of the total Rs 474.46 crore, Rs 67.03 crore has been secured for gold, silver and jewellery, while the public liability is insured up to Rs 30 crore. The largest share, amounting to Rs 375 crore, is dedicated to personal accident insurance for volunteers, cooks, workers, and security guards engaged in the celebrations.
Other key highlights for Ganesh Chaturthi 2025
Alongside safety, the mandal has placed sustainability at the heart of this year’s celebrations. Pai explained that the idol is being crafted from natural clay, grass and eco-friendly water colours. To reduce paper and plastic waste, printed receipts have been eliminated in favour of digital systems, and LED screens have replaced traditional banners.
Devotees will also be able to book poojas and sevas via self-service kiosks or use a QR-code-enabled ’Scan & Offer‘ feature.
The general darshan will remain freely accessible via a 24×7 skywalk entry.
The mandal has also ramped up security for Lord Ganesha’s devotees with the deployment of 875 personnel across three shifts, more than 100 CCTV cameras, AI-powered facial recognition systems and metal detector gates.
Several big mandals across Mumbai engage in philanthropic work during the 10-day festival, and the GSB Seva Mandal is no different.
“Each year, we support underprivileged children through education aid,” Pai said, adding, “On average, over 75,000 poojas are performed annually, while through the ‘annadaan’ more than 22,000 devotees will be served meals every day, crossing 1.1 lakh over five days.”
With lakhs of devotees expected to visit for darshan, the mandal said it hopes that the celebrations will offer an atmosphere of peace and positivity. “From the moment you step into the pandal, you feel the serenity, divinity and blessings of Mahaganapati,” Pai stated, adding, “We invite everyone to join us in prayer and celebration, confident that their wishes will be fulfilled.”
