Mumbai’s GSB Seva Mandal secures record insurance cover of ₹474 crore for its Ganesha festival

Mumbai’s iconic GSB Seva Mandal has once again set a national record by securing an insurance cover worth ₹474.46 crore for its five-day Ganesh festival celebrations, beginning August 27. The Gowda Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) Seva Mandal, located at King’s Circle, is regarded as the richest Ganesh mandal in the country and is celebrating its 71st year of Ganeshotsav.

Breaking Last Year’s Record

Last year, the mandal had insured the festival for ₹400.58 crore. This year’s enhanced policy has broken that record, covering nearly ₹474.46 crore, making it the highest insurance cover for any Ganesh mandal in India.

Jewels and Offerings Under Protection

The GSB Seva Mandal is known for its opulent Ganesha idol, which this year is decorated with 69 kg of gold ornaments, 336 kg of silver items, and other valuables donated by devotees. The insurance policy includes a dedicated cover of ₹67.03 crore for these ornaments and offerings alone.

Extensive Safety Net

According to Amit Pai, president of the GSB Seva Mandal, the insurance breakdown is comprehensive:

• ₹375 crore has been earmarked for personal accident coverage. This will safeguard cooks, volunteers, security staff, parking attendants, and stall workers involved in the festival arrangements.
• ₹30 crore is reserved for damages arising from fire, earthquakes, or accidents impacting furniture, computers, CCTV systems, the pandal structure, and stadium facilities.

Devotees Gear Up for Festivities

As the Gauri-Ganesha festival approaches, preparations are in full swing across Mumbai. Families and community groups are readying their idols, decorations, and traditional offerings of sweets and delicacies to welcome Lord Ganesha, revered as the remover of obstacles.

With its record-breaking insurance cover, the GSB Seva Mandal once again underscores the grandeur and scale of Mumbai’s Ganeshotsav celebrations.