The spirit of Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami created such a rush at Bengaluru’s KR Market that shoppers rushed to buy flowers, fruits, garlands and other essentials for their festival preparations in the wake of the festival mood on Sunday. But with festivals bringing a lot of excitement and also high prices, it is putting additional pressure on household budgets. Flowers and fruits are at the heart of traditional festival ceremonies, and shoppers had to spend more than normal for puja preparations.
The KR Market was full of people one day before the festivals, and many people bought what they needed in advance. On the festival day, I suspect a lot of people will come to the market for flowers and fruit, so they will get their shopping done early. Despite the huge number of people in the market, traders are sad that there were no sales and flower prices are higher and therefore they are disappointed. Some people bought more during the festival season, but the current rates caused some people to be nervous.
KR market flower and garland prices
Flowers and decorative garlands are among the most sought-after items during Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami. According to the KR Market prices, marigold flowers were selling at Rs. 150 per maaru, and jasmine at Rs. 120 per maaru. Kanakambara flowers were also available at Rs. 120 per maaru. The price of ready-made garlands varied based on their size and type, which added to the cost of the festival preparations.
Small mini rose garlands were priced at Rs. 550, and large rose garlands were priced at Rs. 800. Sugandharaja garlands were sold for Rs. 300. A large thomale, usually used for religious offerings and decorations, was priced at Rs. 2,500. Mini jasmine garlands were available at Rs. 600 and a regular pair of thomale garlands at Rs. 3,000. Tulsi garlands were still quite affordable, with prices between Rs. 30 and Rs. 40. At that price, customers who wanted to buy multiple garlands and other types of flowers had to pay a lot of money to enjoy the festival.
Fruit Prices Also Add To Festival Expenses
Apart from flowers, fruits are the most important part of the offerings prepared in Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami. At KR Market, prices were different for different fruits. Black grapes were sold for Rs. 200 per kilogram and green grapes for Rs. 280 per kilogram. Oranges were available at Rs. 100 per kilogram and apples at Rs. 140 to Rs. 200 per kilogram, depending on the variety and quality.
Sapota, also known as chikoo, was selling at Rs. 100 per kilogram. Pomegranates were priced between Rs. 200 and Rs. 250 per kilogram. Cardamom bananas were available for Rs. 80, while bigger bananas were priced at Rs. 40. Pineapples were available at Rs. 120 per pair. Pumpkins, which are the most popular in traditional puja rituals, were priced at Rs. 40 per kilogram. Banana stems were available at Rs. 50 to Rs. 100, while a bundle of betel leaves cost Rs. 80. The cost of these items added to the financial burden on families preparing for the festivals.
Rainfall Affects Flower Supply And Prices
The recent rainfall in Bengaluru city and rural areas over the last two days has disrupted flower harvesting and affected crops. Wet conditions made it difficult for farmers to harvest flowers, while crop damage affected the supply reaching the market. As demand increased during the festive season and the availability of certain flowers was affected by the weather, prices rose, passing the burden on to consumers.
A lot of shoppers who visited KR Market expressed frustration at the increasing price of flowers and other puja essentials. For many households, buying flowers, fruits, garlands and traditional festival items is an important part of festival preparations. However, higher prices meant that customers needed to spend more to purchase the same quantities. Traders also faced the challenge of balancing increased seasonal demand with customers' willingness to pay the prevailing rates.
Heavy Traffic Around KR Market Disrupts Movement
The festival shopping rush also made traffic congested around KR Market on Sunday. Many shoppers and vehicles crowded the surrounding roads, making movement difficult for motorists and other commuters. Traffic police personnel reportedly worked to regulate vehicle movement and ease congestion in the busy market area.
The rush also underscores the pressure that Bengaluru’s major commercial markets undergo during major Hindu festivals. Not only did shoppers encounter crowded streets and traffic delays, but festival items were also going up in price.
Overall, KR Market remained a popular shopping spot for Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami shopping, with strong demand for flowers, fruits and garlands. However, weather-related interruptions to flower supplies and higher seasonal demand led to increased prices. For Bengaluru residents, the celebrations brought their own costs, so planning and budgeting in advance were especially important during the festival.
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