Mysuru: Sweet shops in city witnessed good business as people were seen thronging various shops across the city on first day of the three-day Deepavali festival in city, this morning.

Deepavali, being the festival of lights, people were also seen purchasing the earthen lamps to be lit in front of their houses during the month of Karthika in the Hindu calendar, which begins on Oct. 20 when Bali Padyami is celebrated.

As usual the Devaraja Market, Vani Vilas Market, Mandi Market witnessed good business as people visited them to purchase fruits, vegetables and other materials for the festival.

However, there was not much change in the prices of vegetables and fruits expect for a few.

Prices of Elakki banana varieties had gone up by Rs. 20. The Apple was priced Rs. 80 to Rs. 100 per kg and the Pomegranate was available at Rs. 100 per kg while there was Rs.5 increase in the prices of Carrot. Otherwise, the prices of all other vegetables such as Beans (Rs. 40), Cabbage (Rs. 60), Potato (Rs. 70) and Beet Root (Rs. 40) remained the same as yesterday.

Customers were also seen purchasing Chrysanthemum, which was sold at Rs. 40 and Rs. 50 per metre, on the footpaths of Sayyaji Rao Road. The earthen lamps ranged from eight lamps for Rs. 10 to Rs. 50 per pair. The plantain stems was sold at Rs. 20 each pair with mango leaves costing Rs. 10 per bunch. People, who had not purchased crackers, also visited the shops erected at various parts of the city to purchase varieties of crackers.

The market rush is expected to intensify by the evening with Lakshmi Puja scheduled for tomorrow and Bali Padyami on  Oct. 20 (Friday).