Kolar Flower Prices Surge Ahead of Varalakshmi Festival
Flower prices in Kolar have risen sharply ahead of Varalakshmi festival as limited supply and strong demand bring better returns for growers but higher costs for households.
Kolar flower prices have surged ahead of Varalakshmi festival.
Flower growers are receiving strong market prices.
Festival shoppers face higher flower costs.
The Varalakshmi festival has brought an unexpected boost for flower growers in Kolar, even as the district continues to face difficult weather conditions. With demand rising sharply before the festival, several varieties are now selling at prices far above their usual market rates.
Kanakambara has seen one of the steepest increases. The flower is currently selling for around Rs 4,000 per kilogram in the Kolar market, while jasmine has reached about Rs 3,000 per kilogram. Flowers commonly used for worship, including chrysanthemum, marigold and button roses, are also being sold at around Rs 400 to Rs 500 per kilogram.
The jump has been noticeable for consumers. Flowers that were selling for roughly Rs 80 to Rs 100 per kilogram during normal periods have, in some cases, become several times more expensive as the festival approaches.
For flower growers, however, the situation is quite different. Kolar has received limited rainfall over recent months, putting pressure on farmers who depend on rain for crops such as ragi, groundnut, avare and cowpea. Some farmers with access to borewell irrigation continued cultivating flowers despite the difficult conditions.
Chrysanthemum, marigold, jasmine and sugandharaja are among the flowers grown by these farmers. The arrival of the festival has brought a sudden increase in demand, giving growers an opportunity to recover some of the losses caused by the challenging agricultural season.
Supply from outside Karnataka has also influenced prices. Limited availability of flowers from parts of Tamil Nadu has added pressure to the local market, particularly for jasmine and Kanakambara.
The price rise has created a mixed picture in Kolar. Flower farmers are enjoying stronger returns at a time when many others are struggling, while families preparing for Lakshmi puja are having to spend considerably more on flowers.
With several festivals scheduled during the Shravan season, traders and growers expect demand to remain firm. For now, the Varalakshmi festival has turned into a profitable occasion for flower growers, even though shoppers are feeling the pinch.
