Watches, gold bars sold at Lalbaugcha Raja auction

The Mogre family from Borivli dominated the first day of the gold and silver auction ceremony at the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal (LRSGM) on Friday.

The Mogre family from Borivli dominated the first day of the gold and silver auction ceremony at the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal (LRSGM) on Friday.

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The family is a regular at the annual ceremony where precious metals donated by devotees during the 10-day Ganesh festival are auctioned. On Friday, the Mogres spent Rs 1.5 lakhs at the auction. Their purchases comprised a replica of the idol - the first item to be auctioned - a puja plate, a replica of the mouse and replicas of the tabla and mrudangam, all crafted from silver.

"Today is Sankashti Chaturthi, which is an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar. We had decided to secure the first item put up for auction, even if it meant spending all our earnings," said 64-year-old Shaila Mogre, who has been participating in the auction for over a decade. The auction for the coveted replica of the Lalbaugcha Raja idol started at Rs 500, but the Mogres paid Rs 13,000 to take it home.

"Each year, we participate in the auction because we believe it's a way of getting God's blessings," said Sanket Mogre.

On the first day of the auctions, the LRSGM had put up 100 gold and silver items for auction. These included chains, biscuits and rings. While the bigger and more expensive contributions will be auctioned on Sunday, the mandal authorities were happy with the turnout of devotees on the first day.