Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 2: Navaratri festivities have gripped the state with vibrant celebrations and bustling markets. With the excitement of the grand Dasara festival in the air, people are flocking to marketplaces for festive shopping. From homes and offices to factories, preparations for Ayudha Pooja and Vijayadashami are in full swing, driving a surge in demand for flowers, fruits, banana stems, and pumpkins.

Flower markets have come alive in vivid colours, but the soaring prices have left many stunned. The rates of popular flowers like jasmine, marigold, chrysanthemum, rose, and crossandra have shot up compared to regular days.

 

 

Price hike dampens festive cheer

While Navaratri brings joy, it also brings sticker shock to buyers. Families purchasing flowers and ritual items for Ayudha Pooja, as well as offices and factories performing traditional rituals for their tools and machinery, are finding prices unexpectedly steep.

Current market rates for flowers:

•    Chrysanthemum: Rs 400 per kg

•    Crossandra (Kanakambara): Rs 2,000–Rs 2,500 per kg

•    Jasmine: Rs 1,000–Rs 1,500 per kg

•    Rose: Rs 400 per kg

•    Kakada: Rs 800 per kg

•    Mallige: Rs 600 per kg

Additionally, a pair of banana stems is priced between Rs 50 and Rs 100, while pumpkins are selling for Rs 50–Rs 60 per kg. These rates are significantly higher than usual, yet the festive spirit has not deterred shoppers.

Traders reap Dasara bonanza

Markets across the state are teeming with customers buying flowers, banana stems, and pumpkins for home rituals, while corporate offices and industries are also making bulk purchases for their Ayudha Pooja celebrations. Traders are delighted as the brisk business during this period brings them handsome profits.

“Business has been excellent this Dasara. People are buying enthusiastically despite the price rise,” remarked several traders.

Reason behind price surge

The spike in prices is attributed to limited supply and soaring demand as rituals and festivities are being observed simultaneously across the state. Additionally, erratic rainfall and rising transportation costs have further contributed to the price increase. Despite these challenges, people continue to celebrate their traditions with devotion and enthusiasm.

Navaratri’s cultural essence

Beyond commerce, Navaratri holds profound cultural and spiritual significance. During Ayudha Pooja, people offer prayers to their tools and equipment as a mark of gratitude — a cherished tradition in Karnataka.

The energy of the crowded markets, the cheerful spirit of the people, and the booming business for traders together amplify the grandeur of the Dasara festivities. Even amid price hikes, the celebration of tradition remains undiminished, enriching the cultural fabric of the state.