Lord Ganesh homecoming: Not a ‘flowery’ celebration this festival

INDORE: Lord Ganesha’s homecoming is sure to burn a hole in pockets of devotees. Thanks to delayed monsoon this year, cost of flowers like marigold, rose and tuberose (rajndigandha), used for decoration, has seen a hike of over 100% as the compared to last year.
Indore Mandi (flower) Association member Ramchandra Lambodia said, “The mandi rates have doubled as compared to last year due to late arrival of monsoon.”
Marigold, which is cultivated in Indore and even supplied to other states, was priced at Rs 20-30 per kilogram in 2013.It has swelled to Rs 80 per kilogram this year.
Likewise, rose which cost Rs 25 per kilogram last year, is available at Rs 60 per kilogram this year, Lymbodia said. Madhya Pradesh has only three flower-growing districts, including Bhopal, Ujjain and Indore. With increase in cost of flowers, the association is hopeful of registering a robust revenue.
Indore Mandi Association secretary BBS Tomar told TOI, “Revenue is expected to increase this time as the cost has soared.” Tuberose cultivation, which is still low nationally, is expected to cost Rs 80 per kilogram this festive season.