Surat’s Richest Ganesha Wears 25 Kg Gold, Silver & Diamonds

SURAT : As Ganesh Utsav sweeps across the country, one Bappa in the heart of the city’s diamond hub is drawing attention for an extraordinary display of devotion and wealth. The famed ‘Surat-no-Raja’...

Known as Gujarat’s ‘Richest Ganesha’, the idol is installed every year in the diamond-trading area and attracts lakhs of devotees during the 10-day festival. Organisers said around 5-6 lakh visitors are expected to visit the pandal, with nearly 1.5-2 lakh devotees seeking darshan during the festival.

The tradition dates back to 1972, making the shrine one of Surat’s oldest and most prominent Ganesh celebrations. Devotees fondly call the deity ‘Surat-no-Raja’ or ‘Shrimant Ganesh’, drawing a parallel with Mumbai’s famous Lalbaugcha Raja.

The ornaments, donated by devotees over the years, remain secured in a bank vault throughout the year and are brought out specially for Ganesh Utsav. This year, a new six-foot-long, 1 kg gold-and-silver necklace has been added.

Among the striking attractions is a special leaf-shaped silver idol embellished with around 1-1.5 lakh diamonds, along with a 7-kg silver Mushakraj, a 2-kg crown, 3-kg hand coverings, armlets, leg ornaments, waistband, lotus and silver-gold axe.