Fuelled by faith and grandeur, Ganeshotsav a Rs 30k cr business this year

Pune: From pandals, idols, flowers and decorations, dhol-tasha troupes, modak and sweets, to insurance and security arrangements, Ganeshotsav is an upbeat time for the economy. This year's ll-day celebration is expected to generate pan-India business worth Rs 30,000 crore, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). More than 20 lakh pandals have been set up across India. Maharashtra, where it is the state festival, has seven lakh pandals besides idols that are brought home, Karnataka hosts five lakh pandals and Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh host two lakh each, the confederation said. A large chunk of this spending is directed towards the pandal setup, decoration and puja essentials. CAIT estimates the nationwide expenditure on these heads to be about Rs 12,000 crore. Many Ganapati mandals in Mumbai and Pune employ event management services which is a Rs 5,000 crore business. Garbage management and demand for environmental services like artificial tanks for immersion and recycling of flowers are also sought, the CAIT report said. Nitin Pandit, treasurer of Shree Tulshibaug Ganesh Mandal, said, "We have been planning the tableau and theme for four months. This year, we have a Vrindavan theme for the pandal. We spent about Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 crore to put together all the elements for Ganeshotsav including the set, decoration, lights, visarjan and even security arrangements. The maximum expense goes towards the set-up," he said.Mahesh Suryavanshi, treasurer of Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust, said that on the first day of the festival, there were about 17.5 lakh visitors to their pandal and they expect about two crore people over the course of the festival. Devotees offer gold and silver items, besides coconuts in bulk, modak, fruits and flowers, running into several crores of rupees. "Crowd management is the big focus area. We have invested in installing AI in the CCTV cameras so that we can be alerted in case of any untoward event. We have also made provisions for ICU beds and ambulances. Such expenses during Ganeshotsav is around Rs 4.5 to Rs 5 crore," Suryavanshi added. This year, they have taken a Rs 50 crore insurance to cover mishaps, terrorist activities or stampedes. A TOI report on Aug 18 said GSB Seva Mandal at King's Circle in Mumbai procured record insurance worth Rs 474.46 crore this season. The previous year's policy was Rs 400 crore. The increase is owing to the increased valuation of its gold and silver items, and the induction of more volunteers and priests. Amit Pai, chairman, GSB Seva Mandal, said they will spend about Rs 7-8 crore for the whole festival, which is the average big mandals in Mumbai spend. "There is a huge requirement of 2,50,000 coconuts, 50-70 tonnes of ghee and lakhs of devotees are served food. The pandal is partially air-conditioned so electricity cost has to be factored in," he added. While Ganapati celebrations in Delhi are not on a scale like Maharashtra's some mandals have spent about Rs 40-50 lakh for the festival, this year. "A large portion goes towards bhojan prasad where meals are served to 2,500 people daily," Ganesh Mallya, secretary, GS Samaj Delhi, said. They celebrate a Sarvajanik Ganesh Mahotsav at New Rajindernagar. Gold and silver business also booms during Ganeshotsav. Devotees buy gold and silver jewellery during the festival to donate them to deities in pandals. Families buy gifts like silver Ganesha idols or coins to exchange with kin when they visit homes. Together, this makes the jewellery trade around Rs 1,000 crore.Praveen Pardeshi, president of Guruji Talim Ganpati Mandal in Pune said the festival brings mandals funds from corporates and advertisers. "Revenue from advertisers is around Rs 15 lakh this year. We have one lakh of visitors daily. The expense for this year's festival is in the range of Rs 45 to Rs 50 lakh," he added.Modak and the other sweets' economy thrives during these festive days. "We don't have time to breathe. The demand from devotees and mandals for modak, pedha and barfi during the festival is high," Mahendra Gadva, owner of Kaka Halwai, said. CAIT pegs the nationwide business generated from food and sweets at Rs 2,400 crore.Indraneel Chitale, managing partner at Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale, said that the demand generated on the first 4-5 days of Ganeshotsav is 2.5 times the normal daily demand. "We have seen 20% growth in volumes year-on-year. This year, we have supplied modak to over 40 countries. We could cater to the huge demand owing to automation in our factories. Both packaged and fresh varieties of modak are doing well in Pune," he said.The celebration is also an important driver for the floral economy. A bulk of the demand for flowers comes during the immersion days. Subhash Sarpale, who runs Sarpale Decorators in Guruwar Peth is among the largest suppliers to mandals in the city. "We will be supplying to over 30 mandals in the city this year and 40% of the total floral demand is for real flowers. Marigold, asters, roses, carnations and orchids are in huge demand. We start work at least 2 months before the festival as we need to create fabricated structures for the immersion procession. Each mandal spends between Rs 2 to Rs 5 lakh on the floral décor for their floats," he said. At least 80% of the flowers come from around Pune and the district and the rest from southern cities like Bengaluru.