A kilogram of Marigold (Gonda or Zendu) flower cost customers around Rs 60 to Rs 80 in the wholesale market, which is almost triple than the previous day's rate at the Dadar wholesale market
Citizens preparing for Gudi Padwa celebration were shelling out more money for flowers from the market on Saturday. Most of the flowers were sold at a higher than normal price. The cost of the flowers varied in the wholesale and retail markets.
A kilogram of Marigold (Gonda or Zendu) flower cost customers around Rs 60 to Rs 80 in the wholesale market, which is almost triple than the previous day's rate at the Dadar wholesale market. Aster flowers are being sold for Rs 90 to Rs 120 per kilogram.
On the other hand, hawkers near the Dadar station were selling the Marigold flower for over Rs 110. Deepak Yadav, a wholesaler, said, "Every year, the prices increase a day before the festival. On the day of the festival, it will decrease since not many will come to buy the flower. While on Friday, the prices of various flowers ranged from Rs 20 to Rs 40, on Saturday, the rates increased and were between Rs 60 and Rs 100."
Not just flowers, but prices of other essential materials for puja also increased. Mango leaves cost Rs 10 to Rs 15 a bunch, neem leaves were priced around Rs 10 a bunch and Banana leaves were being sold at Rs 100 a dozen.
Another wholesaler from Dadar market said that, since Diwali, there hadn't been a festive or marriage season. "There has been a trend of increase in the prices a day before the festival every year. A meter-long garland costs around Rs 60 to Rs 80 depending upon the type of flowers used to make the garland," said Shiv Kumar.
This year, while there has been the issue of slow moving traffic near Dadar wholesale market, the Dadar station markets where hawkers used to set up shop was seen to be less crowded. BMC authorities and police officials were seen roaming around the lanes and keeping the hawkers 150 meters away from the station.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Flower Market")
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}