Ornaments of gold, diamond, pearl, emerald, ruby and silver worth over Rs 4 crore will adorn the idols of lord Krishna and Radha on Thursday on the occasion of Janmashtami at Gopal Mandir in Phool Bagh in Gwalior.

Krishna Janmashtami is an annual celebration of the birth of the Hindu deity Krishna.

The ornaments, donated by erstwhile Scindia rulers and displayed on the idols for public viewing on Janmashtami, are sent back to the bank after the festival every year.

The Gwalior Municipal Corporation is the custodian of these precious jewels since the transfer of authority, including temple property and structure, from the princely state.

Mayor Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar said the estimated value of ornaments was calculated to be over `4 crore in 2007.

During his previous tenure as Gwalior mayor in 2007, ornamental decoration of idols was started and has been continuing since.

Shejwalkar’s predecessors till 2007 restrained from taking up the practice due to various reasons including security concerns.

“These ornaments are taken out and deposited back into the bank’s locker after the festival under intense security of the police and officials of the district administration besides GMC officials,” the mayor said.