7-kg gold crown for Khajrana Ganesh hits rate block

Indore: The ambitious project to adorn the deity at the world-famous Khajrana Ganesh Temple with a magnificent 7-kilogram golden crown has hit an unexpected hurdle. Surging gold prices and a sharp spike in craftsmanship charges have reportedly brought the work to a standstill. The temple is falling short of 2kg gold.The temple management had planned to create new golden crowns for the entire ‘Ganesh Parivar,' ---Lord Ganesh, Riddhi-Siddhi and Shubh-Labh.According to chief priest Pandit Ashok Bhatt, all initial formalities, including the formation of a specialised committee and finalisation of designs, were completed. To ensure a perfect fit, a prototype was even crafted in silver and tested on the deity.Market volatility has, however, disrupted the timeline. "When the project was conceived, gold prices were hovering around Rs 65,000 to Rs 70,000 per 10 gram in 2024. Today, rates have nearly doubled, reaching up to Rs 1.5 lakh," Bhatt explained.He added that the labour costs for such intricate jewellery work have also tripled, making the initial budget insufficient.While the temple management committee currently has 5 kg gold in its treasury, an additional 2 kg and significant funds for labour are required to complete the 7-kg masterpiece for Lord Ganesh, Bhatt said.Khajrana temple was built in 1735 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, who retrieved the idol of Lord Ganesh from a well where it had once been hidden to keep it safe during the reign of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.Lakhs of devotees throng the temple, which has evolved into an exquisite complex with local administration keeping close tab over its development.