City’s diamond-studded Ganesh idols insured for Rs 1.5 crore

Surat: One of the most visited Ganesha pandals of Daliya Sheri in Mahidharpura area in the walled city has been insured for Rs 1.5 crore this year for the first time.
The Daliya Sheri Pragati Mandal hosts lord Ganesha idols that include a 2.5 kg Mangal Murti with 1.5 lakh such American and Australian diamonds and a nine-foot clay idol that is decorated with 15kg silver and gold jewellery studded with 1.25lakh American diamonds. While the 2.5kg idol is a permanent idol, the 9-foot clay idol is made every year and immersed after 10-days.
The 2.5kg Ganesh idol has 1.5 lakh diamonds studded on it. The Daliya Sheri Pragati Mandal has been hosting the Ganesh idols since 1972. More than seven lakh people offer prayers at this pandals every year. Even chief ministers of Gujarat over the last past two decades come to offer prayers here.
The 9-foot main idol is decorated with crown, bracelet on hands, legs, earrings to name a few. Both the idols have been insured for Rs 1.5 crore combined which has been sponsored by one of the donors.
Gaurav Jariwala, one of the organisers said, “The pandal is run on cooperative basis and very little exchange of money takes place. People with different skills help during the festival whatever manner they can. For example our president Anil Patel has a business decoration and he takes care of decoration of the pandal every year.” The cost of hosting the pandal comes to Rs 50-60 lakh every year.
This year’s theme is based on South Indian temple relic. Nearly 25 artisans from Kolkata have prepared the entire set this year, said Jariwala.
He added the security has been the biggest concern for the organisers. “The police deployed is not enough and as a result we have to keep our guards and volunteers throughout the festival,” he said.