Mumbai:
Inflation is certainly no match for devotion. Undeterred by the escalating gold prices, devotees have been placing pots full of the yellow metal at the Lord's altar.
The GSB mandal at King's Circle, arguably the wealthiest in the city, reportedly received six kg of gold during last year's celebrations.
This year, the mandal has already crossed that mark, raking in seven kg of the precious metal.
Without a doubt, the skyrocketing gold prices have reached stratospheric heights this year.
Perhaps this is why Lord Ganesha's devotees have been donating stupendous amounts of the yellow metal this year, to propel their prayers into the heavens up above.
Undeterred by the escalating gold prices, devotees have been placing pots full of the yellow metal at the lord's altar.
The GSB mandal at King's Circle, arguably the wealthiest in the city, reportedly received six kg of gold during last year's celebrations.
This year, the mandal has already crossed that mark, raking in seven kilograms of the precious metal.
Dinesh Pai from the GSB mandal said, "We received two kg of gold in two days.
Another devotee has promised five kilograms of the metal, which will be moulded to form the idol's hands next year. We have also received 35 kg of silver."
Pai added, "2014 is our diamond jubilee year, when we plan to craft the backdrop with solid gold. At present, it is made of silver.
We require 50 kg of gold to make this ambitious plan a reality, and have already received donations worth Rs 3.4 crore for the same."
Mumbaicha Raja in Ganesh Galli had received five kilograms of gold last year, but devotees have already deposited two-and-a-half kg of the metal at the altar this year, including gold chains and biscuits.
In addition, Lord Ganesha has also received the idol of a mouse, crafted from three-and-half kg silver.
Swapnil Parab of the Ganesh Galli mandal said, "Last year, all the gold that was gifted by the devotees was melted and moulded into a necklace weighing five kg.
''This year, we have received nearly two-and-a-half kgs of gold already, consisting of chains, biscuits and gold mouse.
A silver mouse weighing 3.5 kg was also donated. We are expecting that last year's amount will be doubled, as the number of devotees has grown. At last count, the mandal had collected cash worth Rs 8 lakh.''
At Lalbaugcha Raja, the largesse is already two boxes full, with devotees having placed ornaments made of gold, silver and precious metals in them.
The mandal is yet to calculate the net worth of the booty.
When asked why devotees were digging so deep into their pockets to purchase gold at the stupendous rate of the Rs 27,600 per 10 gm, Pai answered, "When it comes to matters of devotion, no one considers the price tag."
At last count, Lalbaugcha Raja had collected Rs 1.8 crore in cash, having raked in Rs 79 lakh on the third day of the festivities.
Ganesh Galli mandal, which had expected to collect Rs 40 lakh last year, is expecting to double the figure this year.
7 kg
Total weight of gold received in 4 days by GSB mandal, King's Circle, up from the total 6 kg last year
2.5 kg
Total weight of the gold received in 4 days by Mumbaicha Raja, Ganesh Galli
3.5 kg
Weight of the silver mouse received by Mumbaicha Raja, Ganesh Galli
The GSB mandal at King's Circle, arguably the wealthiest in the city, reportedly received six kg of gold during last year's celebrations.
This year, the mandal has already crossed that mark, raking in seven kg of the precious metal.
Without a doubt, the skyrocketing gold prices have reached stratospheric heights this year.
Perhaps this is why Lord Ganesha's devotees have been donating stupendous amounts of the yellow metal this year, to propel their prayers into the heavens up above.
Undeterred by the escalating gold prices, devotees have been placing pots full of the yellow metal at the lord's altar.
The GSB mandal at King's Circle, arguably the wealthiest in the city, reportedly received six kg of gold during last year's celebrations.
This year, the mandal has already crossed that mark, raking in seven kilograms of the precious metal.
Dinesh Pai from the GSB mandal said, "We received two kg of gold in two days.
Another devotee has promised five kilograms of the metal, which will be moulded to form the idol's hands next year. We have also received 35 kg of silver."
Pai added, "2014 is our diamond jubilee year, when we plan to craft the backdrop with solid gold. At present, it is made of silver.
We require 50 kg of gold to make this ambitious plan a reality, and have already received donations worth Rs 3.4 crore for the same."
Mumbaicha Raja in Ganesh Galli had received five kilograms of gold last year, but devotees have already deposited two-and-a-half kg of the metal at the altar this year, including gold chains and biscuits.
In addition, Lord Ganesha has also received the idol of a mouse, crafted from three-and-half kg silver.
Swapnil Parab of the Ganesh Galli mandal said, "Last year, all the gold that was gifted by the devotees was melted and moulded into a necklace weighing five kg.
''This year, we have received nearly two-and-a-half kgs of gold already, consisting of chains, biscuits and gold mouse.
A silver mouse weighing 3.5 kg was also donated. We are expecting that last year's amount will be doubled, as the number of devotees has grown. At last count, the mandal had collected cash worth Rs 8 lakh.''
At Lalbaugcha Raja, the largesse is already two boxes full, with devotees having placed ornaments made of gold, silver and precious metals in them.
The mandal is yet to calculate the net worth of the booty.
When asked why devotees were digging so deep into their pockets to purchase gold at the stupendous rate of the Rs 27,600 per 10 gm, Pai answered, "When it comes to matters of devotion, no one considers the price tag."
At last count, Lalbaugcha Raja had collected Rs 1.8 crore in cash, having raked in Rs 79 lakh on the third day of the festivities.
Ganesh Galli mandal, which had expected to collect Rs 40 lakh last year, is expecting to double the figure this year.
7 kg
Total weight of gold received in 4 days by GSB mandal, King's Circle, up from the total 6 kg last year
2.5 kg
Total weight of the gold received in 4 days by Mumbaicha Raja, Ganesh Galli
3.5 kg
Weight of the silver mouse received by Mumbaicha Raja, Ganesh Galli
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