Red hibiscus flowers, a key element for Kali Puja and Diwali celebrations, have shot through the roof in Kolkata’s markets.
On Monday, a garland of 108 red hibiscus sold for anywhere between ₹150 and ₹200, compared to only ₹25‑₹30 a week earlier.
The pricier 1,008‑piece garlands—traditionally used for Kali Puja—cost between ₹600 and ₹700, almost double last year’s top price of ₹350.
Many vendors stopped selling single hibiscus buds, opting to bundle them into garlands instead. One seller from Gariahat Market said the bundled price covers both the flowers and the weaving cost, making it a more profitable option.
A florist in Kasba Market explained the hike: “Red hibiscus prices usually rise each year for Kali Puja. This time they’re especially high because heavy rains before the festive season wiped out a large stock of flowers.”
The surge wasn’t limited to hibiscus. Other ritual flowers saw steep price jumps: saffron marigold fetched ₹180‑₹200 per kilogram, yellow marigold ₹210‑₹220, and a single lotus rang at ₹20‑₹25.
The spike reflects the high demand for fresh flowers during the Diwali‑Kali Puja overlap, and unpredictable weather that affects supply. As the city prepares for these important festivals, flower buyers are bracing for higher costs and looking for the best deals.
Source: ianslive
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