It is the city of Surat that is back in the limelight as the Ganesh Utsav is once again with the arrival of what is being termed as the richest Ganesha in Gujarat. The idol is located in the Mahidharpura area, Daliya Street and has been the focus not only of the people of Surat but also of the devotees who have flocked to the area, with some who have travelled to the state and even beyond. The extent to which this Ganesha has been decorated is the exceptional thing about it. The idol has over 25 kilograms of gold and silver ornaments, as well as a lustrous array of American diamonds worth almost two lakh rupees.
The decorations consist of a detailed hand covering, arm-covering, leg-covering, a waist-band, a crown, a lotus design, all of these being finely-woven together. The crown by itself is about two kilograms, and the armlets, anklets, and waistbands are all valuable to the adornment of the idol. To the splendour, the idol also holds a gold-and-silver axe and sits next to a well-polished silver mouse of seven kilograms. One special attraction this year is a leaf-shaped silver idol, which is laced with one lakh American diamonds that have turned out to be a spectacular showcase point among visitors.
These ornaments were disclosed by the organizers as donated and contributed by devotees over the years, and this depicts their belief and faithfulness toward Lord Ganesha. The ornaments are estimated to cost hundreds of thousands of rupees, yet to a devotee, the spiritual value is much more important than the financial one. Since the erection of the idol, it has been drawing crowds with approximately five lakh people having already been recorded, and the numbers are likely to increase over the next few days of the festival..
The organizers have also introduced a mobile application, which will provide 24-hour virtual darshan because people will not be able to attend the grandeur physically. The move has enabled followers in other regions of the nation or even outside the nation to identify with the festivities in Surat.
Considering the massive price of the ornaments, the security arrangements have been tight. It has over 50 CCTV cameras, operating 24/7, and in excess of 300 volunteers working throughout the pandal. There are also police officers and patrols to keep order and safety.
The idol is a Ganesh idol that has been a tradition in the Daliya street since 1972 and has been able to sustain its tradition of being the oldest, besides being the grandest pandal in the city. To most people, the reason behind paying a visit to this idol is not merely seeing the grandeur but also to get a blessing of a kind of Ganesha, which is symbolic of prosperity and devotion.
