While Kolkata celebrates Kali Puja, the devotees are feeling the bite in their pockets due to the rising prices of red hibiscus. One of the flowers deemed necessary for Puja ceremonies, red hibiscus, has risen nearly fivefold in wholesale markets on Monday.
A garland of 108 red hibiscus flowers costs Rs 150–200, double what it was selling for Rs 25–30 only a week back. 1,008-piece garlands, usually used in big rituals or special events, cost between Rs 600–700, almost double the high from last year at Rs 350. The sudden spike has surprised many festival visitors at how fast prices have gone up.
Individual flowers are hard to find
Most shops discontinued selling red hibiscus individually, as garlands yield a better profit. Selling flowers in garlands pays for both flowers and labour for weaving, one florist at Gariahat Market said, as reported by The Statesman. Customers who looked for individual flowers were often left out of luck.
Rainfall blamed for price surge
Pre-festival unseasonal heavy rains destroyed huge quantities of flowers, driving prices higher. The Statesman reported, "Generally, the price of red hibiscus rises a bit on the occasion of Kali Puja every year. But this time the prices are higher than the previous years because of the untimely heavy showers before the festive season that resulted in loss of huge stocks of flowers," said a vendor in Kasba market.
Red hibiscus is not the only flower making holes in devotees' wallets. Saffron marigold now costs Rs 180–200 per kg, and yellow marigold is priced at Rs 210–220 per kg, showing an overall surge of Puja-linked flowers.
