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’ in Mahidharpura’s Daliya Sheri has returned this year adorned with nearly 25 kg of gold, silver and diamond ornaments, turning the 53-year-old tradition into a major attraction for devotees.

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.

The shrine also carries deep emotional significance for devotees. “People come with faith and vows. When their wishes are fulfilled, they return with offerings such as silver models of houses for a new home or silver cradles after being blessed with a child,” organisers said.

The popularity of ‘Surat-no-Raja’ has also attracted prominent political leaders over the years, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, former chief ministers Anandiben Patel and Vijay Rupani, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.

With ornaments worth crores requiring heightened security, more than 300 volunteers have been deployed, including around 100 inside the pandal. Over 50 HD CCTV cameras monitor the pandal and surrounding roads, while two police vehicles remain stationed at the site.

The palace-style pandal is illuminated and the festival is conducted with Vedic rituals. Organisers have also introduced a mobile application offering 24-hour live digital darshan, allowing devotees worldwide to seek Bappa’s blessings.

“We invite devotees from Surat, Gujarat and across the country to visit Majorpura Daliya Sheri and experience the blessings of Surat-no-Raja,” organiser Gaurav and his team said.