Fewer marigolds in Varanasi market push up garland prices

Low production due to less farming this season, forced by the pandemic, has pushed up prices of marigold flowers and garlands. On Friday, a garland was selling between Rs 20 and Rs 25, while the price of a garland last year was Rs 10 to Rs 15.

Amla Patel, a farmer from Mirzamurad area, who had brought garlands and flowers to the flower market at Englishia Line on Friday said, “This year, farmers didn’t do large scale farming of flowers due to the pandemic because uncertainty prevailed. Therefore, flower production is low this year and prices have gone up.”

Kanchan Patel, another farmer from the same area, echoed the sentiments.

“Uncertainty was rife due to the pandemic, and so, flower farmers farmed in a limited area.

For instance, I used to do flower farming in a one-acre area. This year, I utilised less than half an acre. Likewise, those who used to plant marigold plants on one beegha of land, preferred to do it on less than half a beegha,” he said. Flower farming is common in several villages in Mirzamurad and Rajatalab area here.

There is always demand for flowers in Varanasi owing to the temples.

Flower farming generates employment for many.

Astrologer and Kashi Vishwanath Temple former trustee Prasad Dikshit said, “There is a special significance of marigold flower in puja on the occasion of Diwali because of its yellow colour, which is considered auspicious for the puja. It is mandatory to offer marigold flowers to Lord Ganesh and Goddess Laxmi during Diwali puja. Traders also offer marigold flowers on their account ledgers as part of the puja.”