Prices of flowers, fruits, vegetables soar

Mysuru: It looks like the wet weather does not seem to deter the festival shoppers on the eve of ‘Varamahalakshmi’ as they thronged the Devaraja Market braving the rain, holding umbrellas this morning, to buy the important items to propitiate Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth.

People were seen falling over one another in the crowded market amidst rain drops, slush, dirt and muck all around. The water was seen entering into the footwear and making walking difficult, as men and women rolled up their dresses.

They were also seen buying items of their choice in spite of soaring prices. Offering flowers to the Goddess is one of the most important ritual and seeing that it is a necessity, the flower sellers had jacked up the prices. 

Shamantige or Chrysanthemum is being sold at Rs. 100 to Rs.120 for a length (maaru) in the morning and it may go up to Rs. 160 by evening, while marigold (chendu hoovu)  is being sold at Rs. 40 per kg.

Lotus (taavare) which is considered very auspicious to be offered to Goddess Lakshmi is being sold at Rs. 40 a pair and by evening it is likely to go up to Rs.60 a pair.

The costliest flowers are Kanakambara (Crossandra) and Jasmine (Mallige). The former is being sold loose at a whopping Rs.250 for quarter kg while the latter is being sold loose at Rs.150 to Rs. 200 for quarter kg and the stringed flowers is sold at Rs. 80 to Rs.100 per metre. Button Rose which is also in demand is being sold at Rs.80 for quarter kg.

The rates of fruits are no better with apple sold at Rs.150 a kg and a good quality one at Rs.230 to Rs.250 a kg. Moosambi is sold at Rs.70 a kg, while grapes are also costly at Rs. 80 to Rs.100 for quarter kg but it cost Rs.100 for half kg yesterday. Wood apple is sold at Rs.70 a kg and putta bale (banana) is being sold at Rs. 100 to Rs.120 a kg while very little ones are being sold at Rs. 60 to Rs.80.

A pair of banana stem is being sold at Rs.40 and smaller one at Rs.30, while a bunch of mango leaves costs Rs.10 and pineapple Rs. 40 each and smaller one Rs.20 to Rs.30.

Vegetables also form the main portion of the festival and so carrot and beans are being sold at  Rs.40 a kg, tomatoes Rs.15 a kg, radish and brinjal Rs.20 a kg, onion Rs.25 to Rs.30 a kg, ladies finger Rs. 20 to Rs.30 and knol kol Rs.30 to Rs.40 a kg.

The other main item that is a must in the house during ‘Varamahalakshmi’ is the Lakshmi masks, which are being sold from Rs.50 to Rs.300 a mask depending on the quality.