MUMBAI: Despite the high price of gold and silver, riches continue to fill the coffers of the Lalbaugcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal in its 90th year of festivity.
Treasurer Mangesh Dalvi said, "From September 20-27, we have received Rs 3.2 kg gold and 51.6 kg silver in our hundi. The highlight is a robust gold necklace weighing approximately 1 kilo. Apart from that there is a 100 gm gold bar and numerous smaller ornaments like finger rings, chains, earrings, pendants as well as golden and silver modaks, durva grass, oil lamps or samaii. One devotee has deposited a large silver kalash."
On Wednesday in Mumbai, the rate of 22 carat gold was Rs 54,400 per 10 gm and that of 24 carat gold was Rs 60,000 per 10 gm. Silver cost Rs 74,000 per kg.
At the Lalbaug pandal, anonymous donors deposit bullion in a separate hundi kept for this purpose.
The cash donation boxes are also bursting with proof of largesse. Until the eighth day, the Raja had received Rs 4.42 crore in cash. Further counting is under way.
The mandal will auction these gold and silver offerings at 6.00 pm Sunday October 1 from the same stage where the deity was installed.
