Crowds throng Bengaluru markets for festival shopping, ash gourd prices rise

Bengaluru: The city is gearing up for Navaratri, Ayudha Puja, and Vijayadashami celebrations, and over the past two days, festive shopping has been in full swing. Since Wednesday and Thursday (Vijayadashami) are govt holidays, many offices, commercial establishments, warehouses, factories, and vehicles performed Ayudha Puja on Tuesday itself, prompting people to begin their shopping on Monday, which led to heavy crowds in the markets.In KR Market, Gandhi Bazaar, Malleswaram, Yeshwanthpur, Madiwala, Dasarahalli, Vijayanagar, Jayanagar, and other markets, flowers, fruits, ash gourds, banana stems, lemons, and other puja materials are being sold like hot cakes. As ash gourds are used for puja rituals on the day of Ayudha Puja, its prices have gone up. The wholesale rate is Rs 25–30 per kg, while retail prices range from Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kg. "We used to bring hundreds of gourds from Tamil Nadu every year, but this time, the rains destroyed much of the crop," said Ramesh Gounder, a farmer from Krishnagiri, selling his stock at KR Market. Some retailers admitted they were selling based on size rather than weight. "Smaller gourds go for Rs 100–150 each, while bigger ones fetch Rs 200–250. People don't mind paying because they cannot celebrate Ayudha Puja without this item," said Lakshmana Gowda, a grower from Chikkaballapur. Traders said prices may rise on the festival day. Usually, large quantities of ash gourd are supplied from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. But this year, due to heavy rains in those states, the crops were damaged, and only a limited supply is available. Karnataka too has grown some, but high festive demand has pushed up prices. "The price is almost Rs 60 per kg this year, much higher than last year, but we cannot celebrate Ayudha Puja without it," said Meena Rao, a resident of Jayanagar. Seconding her was Ramesh Rajan, a father of two from Malleswaram, "Yes, it's expensive, but the gourd is essential for the rituals. We had to buy it early before the festival rush makes it even costlier." During the festival season, some flowers have become costlier, while the prices of others have fallen. Wholesale prices of roses are Rs 250–300 per kg, while retail prices are Rs 400–450 per kg. Chrysanthemums are being sold in wholesale markets at Rs 200–250 per kg and at Rs 300–350 in retail. Marigold prices have dropped, while jasmine, kanakambara (crossandra), kakada, and sugandha raja (tuberose) flowers have seen a slight price rise. "Due to rains damaging rose crops, their prices have gone up. On the other hand, restrictions on vehicle parking at KR Market have reduced business by 50%," said GN Divakar, president of the KR Market Wholesale Flower Merchants' Association. KR Market wholesale flower rates (per kg): - Jasmine: Rs 400–800 - Rose: 300 - Kakada: Rs 400 - Kanakambara: Rs 1,000 - Tuberose: Rs 120–300 - Marigold: Rs 30–50 Hopcom rates (per kg): - Beans: Rs 80 - Drumstick: Rs 135 - Flat beans: Rs 70 - Ash gourd: Rs 36 - Pumpkin: Rs 40 - Tomato: Rs 26 - Lemon: Rs 100 - Coconut (medium): Rs 54 - Coconut (small): Rs 45 - Custard apple: Rs 80 - Mosambi: Rs 72 - Pomegranate: Rs 174 - Elakki banana: Rs 75