Flower sales peak in the city on Onam pitch

COIMBATORE: With Thiruonam falling on Monday, sales peaked at Pannerselvam Flower Market here on Saturday. The market was abuzz as merchants from the neighbouring state and wholesale dealers here drove a hard bargain. Trucks loaded with flowers exited in large number from the market for Kerala through the day. “Flower sales to Kerala are almost over and on Sunday only people from Coimbatore will be come here to buy flowers for Onam celebrations,” S Shanthi, a flower merchant said.
Floral decorations or pookkalams are an integral part of Onam celebrations. Traditionally, the floral decorations are prepared every morning on all 10 days of the festival which, according to a legend, marks the return of the popular Asura king Mahabali, who was vanquished in act of treachery by Vamana, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, to meet his subjects.
Flower varieties such as marigold, chrysanthemum, oleander and tuberose that are exclusively used for pookkalams were the hot picks. On Saturday, marigold sold at Rs 140 per kg and chrysanthemum at Rs 100 per kg. “Flowers of dark red colour were sold at Rs 200 per kg and white flower varieties sold for Rs 250 per kg,” said Mohammed Salim, a flower merchant in the city.
Interestingly, prices of jasmine plummeted. Salim says this is because jasmine is not used for Onam decorations. “Jasmine price fell from Rs 800 per kg in the morning to Rs 400 by evening,” he added.
Flower merchants said prices for other flowers were steady and added that sales during this Onam season were good. Most of the flowers come from Sathyamangalam. Yellow, pink, red, white and orange coloured flowers are most sought after. “Apart from Malayalis living in the city, educational institutions and officials also buy flowers for Onam celebrations in their premises,” Salim added.
Wholesale merchants from Kerala said even though a majority of the traders procure flowers from Thovalai market in Kanyakumari district, merchants from areas neighbouring Coimbatore shop in the wholesale market in the city. “We are dependent on flower markets in Tamil Nadu for our needs as a majority of the multi-hued flowers are not grown in our state,” said Ramesh Krishnan, a flower merchant from Alathur near Palakkad.