Mumbai’s ‘richest’ Ganesh pandal, built by the Goud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) Seva Mandal in the King’s Circle area, has taken an insurance cover worth a record Rs 316.40 crore. GSB’s Ganesh idol is traditionally adorned with gold and other precious material ornaments for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, which begin on August 31.
The mandal has obtained insurance from New India Assurance for a variety of risks. Gold, silver, and jewellery are included in the Rs 31.97 crore risk insurance cover. Personal accident insurance for volunteers, priests, cooks, footwear stall workers, valet parking personnel, and security guards is worth Rs 263 crore.
A Rs 1 crore standard fire and special peril policy with earthquake risk cover items like furniture, fixtures and fittings, installations like computers, CCTV cameras, scanners, utensils, grocery, fruits and vegetables.
“The standard fire and special peril policy for the venue premises provide insurance of Rs 77.5 lakh. Public liability, which covers pandals, stadiums and devotees is secured with Rs 20 crore,” the press release read.
GSB Seva Mandal spokesperson Amit Pai said, “Our Maha Ganpathi is decorated with more than 66kg of gold ornaments, 295-plus kg of silver and other precious material.” The GSB Seva Mandal’s Maha
Ganpathi idol is made of clay (‘shadu mati’) and is carved on site, the report said.
In 2016, GSB purchased a Rs 300 crore insurance policy. On August 29, the mandal will reveal the first look of its idol at the ‘Virat Darshan’ ceremony.
