The Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal held its annual auction of offerings on Thursday, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of devotees eager to take home “prasad” at any cost. This year, Lord Ganesha received 2071.830 grams of gold and 55,312 grams of silver from devotees, with the auction featuring everything from gold biscuits to silver modaks.
The auction, which began around 5 pm and stretched late into the evening, saw bids soar well above starting prices. The most expensive offerings included a 99.99-gram gold chain and a 99.99-gram gold biscuit. Bidding wars broke out for Ganesha idols, gold modaks, silver coconuts, cricket bats, and even a gada (mace). Many devotees admitted they weren’t bidding for value but for devotion.
By the end of the day, a total of 108 valuables, including gold and silver items, were sold, and the Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal collected a grand total of R1,65,71,111 from devotees, according to sources.
Devotees crowd around as bids soar during Lalbaugcha Raja’s annual auction of offerings. Pics/Atul Kamble
Devotees speak
Nagesh Desai, Mulund
The first winner of the evening, he bid Rs 50,000 for a 56-gram silver Ganesha idol (starting price Rs 5000). “I wanted to be the first to buy, no matter the cost,” he said.
Suyog Warde, Goregaon
Bought a Musak (mouse idol) for Rs 38,000 on behalf of his uncle Anil Mhatre. “My uncle told me to get it at any cost. Our wish has been fulfilled,” he said.
Dilip Andhale, Tardeo
Picked up a silver coconut for Rs 35,000. “This is prasad for us. I’ll keep it at home,” he said.
Himmat Mav, Navi Mumbai
Won a gold bracelet for Rs 45,000. “My daughter liked it, so I bought it for her,” he said with a smile.
Rajendra Chavan & Suresh Jaswani
Friends from Lalbaug and Ulhasnagar bought a gada (mace) for Rs 25,000. “We attend every year and always take home prasad,” they said.
Ashok Choradiya, Panvel
Paid Rs 61,000 for a large silver modak. “I had decided at home that I’d bring a modak this year at any cost,” he said.
Jayshree Shah, Borivli
Paid Rs 41,000 for a 244-gram silver modak (starting Rs 5000). “Modak is Lord Ganesha’s favourite. I was determined to buy it this year,” she said.
This year’s offerings to Lalbaugcha Raja
Gold
2071.830 g
Silver
53,312 g
