Mumbai, Sep 18: The Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are underway across the state. Devotees flocking to famous mandals (organisers) like Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai, Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple in Pune among others. The Ganesh Mandals rake in lakhs of rupees in donations during the festival every year along with gold and silver. The 10-day festival is being celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal all over the city.

According to reports, the Lalbaugcha Raja, where devotees throng in huge numbers during Ganesh Chaturthi, has managed to collect crores of rupees during the last week. In the last five days, donation of Rs 2.64 crore has been collected from the biggest mandal in Mumbai - The Lalbaugcha Raja. Moreover, a devotee has offered a golden Ganpati idol of over 1 kg that has been studded with diamonds. Treasurer Mangesh Dalvi on Tuesday informed that the donations are still coming, and the final count would be done few days after Anant Chaturdashi. Ganesh Chaturthi 2018: Eco-Friendly Ganpati Idols You Can Make at Home (Watch DIY Videos).

Ganeshotsav began from September 13 and will conclude on September 23 with Anant Chaturdashi. Reports inform that all mandals have put together about Rs 600 crore of insurance cover this Ganeshotsav, which is a 20 per cent jump in comparison to the previous year. Beginning September 13, around one million gigantic, big and small idols of Lord Ganesha reached the homes of the devotees.

On Monday, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan had visited Lalbaughcha Raja while cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was also among the ones who sought blessings there. Apart from them, Raj Thackeray’s son Amit Thackeray, NCP's MP Supriya Sule and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also paid their visit at one of Mumbai's biggest idol.

Reports inform that this year, an NGO named Team Parivartan initiated a campaign for the poor and tribals where its volunteers requested Ganeshotsav mandals across the state to place a stationery collection box next to the donation boxes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2018 05:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).