MUMBAI: In preparation for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, the Gowd Saraswat Brahman (GSB) Seva Mandal in Mumbai has unveiled an awe-inspiring idol of Lord Ganesh, adorned with a remarkable 69 kilograms of pure gold and an astonishing 336 kilograms of silver. This extravagant display of devotion took place on a momentous Monday.

A spokesperson for the GSB Seva Mandal revealed that this year had brought an exceptional donation, with 36 kilograms of silver and a striking 250-gram gold pendant graciously offered in honor of Ganesh Chaturthi. This generous contribution elevated the grand total of gold in the idol to a staggering 69 kilograms and the silver to an astounding 336 kilograms.

The Mandal representative proudly stated, "This year marks the 69th 'Ganpati Utsav' celebration, and to commemorate this occasion, we have adorned the idol with an additional 36 kilograms of silver and a splendid 250-gram gold pendant."

Furthermore, it was announced that a special 'havan' ceremony would be conducted on September 19 to express gratitude to Lord Ganesh for the triumphant Chandrayaan-3 Mission. Another special 'havan' is planned for September 20 to seek blessings for the smooth progress and inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

"On September 20th, we will conduct a special 'havan' to invoke blessings for the seamless construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. On the 19th, we shall also offer a special 'havan' to celebrate the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, for which we had fervently prayed," the Mandal representative conveyed.

In terms of security measures, it was disclosed that a comprehensive insurance policy, amounting to a staggering 360.45 crore, had been secured. This coverage included 290 crore for the safety of visitors in the pandal, 39 crore for the protection of the valuable jewelry, and an additional 20 crore for public liability concerns. The spokesperson also shared, "To enhance security, we have implemented facial recognition technology this year, along with the installation of high-density cameras to meticulously monitor footfall."

Ganesh Chaturthi, a jubilant Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, is widely cherished and spans a period of ten days. According to tradition, it is believed that during this time, Lord Ganesha descends to Earth accompanied by his mother, Goddess Parvati.

This year, the Ganesh Chaturthi festival will commence on September 19 and will be celebrated fervently for ten days until September 29.

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