Lalbaugcha Raja Raises ₹1.65 Crore at Annual Auction of 108 Gold and Silver Items Donated by Devotees

Mumbai’s most iconic Ganesh pandal, the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, has once again witnessed the deep devotion of its followers through the annual post-festival auction. This year, 108 gold and silver offerings donated by devotees were auctioned, raising a total of ₹1.65 crore. The 20-day Ganeshotsav, which concluded on September 6, reaffirmed the enduring faith of millions who throng the pandal every year with prayers and gratitude.

At the heart of the auction was a 100-gram gold biscuit, which emerged as the most valuable item. It fetched ₹11.31 lakh, purchased by devotee Rajendra Lanjwal. Balasaheb Kamble, chairperson of the Mandal, confirmed that the auction—held on Thursday evening between 5 pm and 10 pm at Lalbaug Market—drew enthusiastic participation despite soaring metal prices.

Devotion Meets Rising Gold Prices

The ₹1.65 crore collected this year represents a dip compared to past auctions. Analysts and organizers attribute this decline to the sharp rise in precious metal prices. On the day of the auction, gold was trading at ₹1,12,000 per 10 grams (24-karat), compared to just over ₹1,00,000 a month earlier and approximately ₹75,000 a year ago—marking a staggering 40 percent jump year-on-year. Silver, too, has surged in a similar trajectory, affecting bidders’ appetite for large purchases.

Despite these headwinds, the symbolic value of acquiring ornaments once offered at the feet of Lalbaugcha Raja ensured spirited bidding. Devotees often consider these items as prasadam, making them not just purchases but blessings received from the beloved deity known as Navasacha Raja, or the fulfiller of wishes.
 

A Tradition of Faith and Generosity
 

The Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal has a long-standing tradition of auctioning donated gold and silver ornaments. In 2024, the auction brought in ₹5.65 crore in cash donations alongside 4.15 kg of gold and 64.32 kg of silver. The highlight that year was a 990.6 gm gold chain, which alone fetched ₹69.31 lakh.

In 2023, the Mandal earned ₹80.70 lakh from 110 auctioned items that included idols of Lord Ganesha, silver cradles, coconuts, and other symbolic offerings. Couples blessed with children after offering prayers often donate cradles in gratitude, which later become prized auction pieces received by other families seeking similar blessings.

The Spiritual Significance of Lalbaugcha Raja

Celebrating its 92nd year in 2025, Lalbaugcha Raja remains one of India’s most revered Ganesh idols. Devotees from across the country queue for hours to seek blessings, firmly believing in the idol’s miraculous power to fulfil heartfelt wishes. For couples longing for children, offering a cradle is seen as an act of faith, while for others, donating ornaments represents gratitude for answered prayers.

These annual auctions not only sustain the Mandal’s community initiatives but also serve as a testament to how devotion, tradition, and charity are deeply intertwined in Mumbai’s cultural fabric.
Auction Highlights 2025

The Mandal released a summary of the auction results, underscoring the event’s scale and devotional energy:

• Total amount raised: ₹1,65,71,111
• Total items auctioned: 108 gold and silver objects
• Most valuable item: 100 gm gold biscuit sold for ₹11.31 lakh

Faith That Outshines Market Trends

While rising gold and silver prices influenced bidding volumes, the devotion of Mumbai’s citizens ensured that Lalbaugcha Raja’s auction remained a grand success. More than just a financial tally, the proceeds highlight how faith continues to inspire generosity even in uncertain economic times. For the devotees who carried home these offerings, each item represents not only a treasure of material value but also a spiritual blessing that connects them to the divine.