Girgaum-based jewellery designer Nana Vedak

Decking up the Lord in gold, silver is a priceless fixation

Gold and silver prices are going through the roof, but that has done nothing to dampen demand for the precious metals when it comes to decking up Lord Ganesha. Most Ganeshotsav organisers have placed orders for ornaments for the lord with city jewellers. Popular among mandals, Girgaum-based jewellery designer Nana Vedak has received a number of orders, which involve 40kg silver and 6kg gold, from many mandals. Vedak became famous after making gold feet for Lalbaugcha Raja six years ago. This year, he is making 10kg silver feet, coated with 200g gold, for a Chinchpokli mandal. Currently, 10gm gold costs Rs31,700 and 1kg silver Rs61,325. As per the Bombay Bullion Association, gold prices have risen by Rs4,600 in 2012 — from Rs27,100 on December 30, 2011, to Rs31,700 on Wednesday. Vedak says, “Nearly all the major mandals are my clients. Their orders include crowns, bangles/bracelets, arm bands, waist bands, ear ornaments, mice, modaks, feet and palms. Apart from mandals, I also get orders from people for their Ganesh idol at home. Last month, I got an order from Lata Mangeshkar for making two silver Ganeshas, and also from Shilpa Shetty.” “Most of the ornaments at Siddhivinayak temple, Sai temple at Shirdi and Mahalaxmi temple have been made by me,” he adds. Anand Pednekar, director, Jagganath Gangaram Pednekar Jewellers, says, “Only during Ganeshotsav the demand for gold and silver rises irrespective of the prices. People don’t look at the cost when it’s a question of dressing up their god. This year, we have got orders for ornaments involving 5kg gold and 200kg silver.” “Because of the rising prices of gold and silver people have made adjustments in the weight, going for smaller and less heavier ornaments, but they haven’t stopped ordering and buying ornaments,” says Shrikant joshi, owner of Ramchandra Keshav and Company.