People shopping at K.R. Market in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
In a huge disappointment to farmers and traders, the prices of flowers have not soared as much as usual for the Varamahalakshmi festival, which falls on Friday. The quantity and quality of supply have taken a hit following the rainfall recieved over the last few days.
As of Wednesday, the price of jasmine was ₹1,200 – ₹1,400 per kg in K.R. Market, while kanakambara (crossandra) was selling at ₹1,200 per kg whereas in the previous years it was sold at around ₹2,000 – ₹3,000 per kg.
Sevanthige (chrysanthemum) was selling at ₹200 – ₹400 per kg depending on the moisture content in the flowers whereas button roses were selling at ₹300 per kg. Other than these, sugandha raja (tuberose) and marigolds were selling at ₹300 per kg and ₹80 per kg respectively.
People shopping at K.R. Market in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR
“If the moisture content is too much in the flowers, then it will not last for more than one day. This is the reason why the price of flowers has not gone up this year, as people do not want to buy them beforehand. They want to buy it on the day of the festival or the previous evening. We are expecting the price of kanakambara to go up to ₹2,000 per kg by Thursday and jasmine to go up to ₹1,600 – ₹2,000 per kg,” said G.M. Diwakar, president of K.R. Market Flower Merchants’ Association.
The days around the Varamahalakshmi festival are the biggest business period for flower traders as the prices reach their peak due to the excessive demand. However, this year, with the prices stagnating at cheaper than usual for this festival, it is expected to go further down for the upcoming festivals like Ganesha Chaturthi and Dasara.
People shopping at K.R. Market in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR
“It is for this festival that people buy the most varieties of flowers. For Ganesha Chaturthi etc., they just buy a few varieties, or some even stop at one or two garlands,” Mr. Divakar said.
However, on Wednesday, there was traffic congestion in and around K. R. Market, including on J.C. Road from Sajjan Rao Circle to Town Hall, as festive shoppers came down to the streets, which were already congested because of the ongoing civic work.
Besides flowers, customers were in the market to buy vegetables and fruits for the festival, the prices of which have also gone up slightly.
Published – August 06, 2025 07:46 pm IST
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