Vinayaka Festival Sends Flower, Fruit Prices Soaring in Nellore

Nellore:The day ahead of Vinayaka Chavithi triggered a festive frenzy in Nellore, with markets witnessing heavy footfalls as residents scrambled for their purchases just hours before the celebrations. The surge in demand sent prices, particularly of flowers and fruits, soaring.

Chrysanthemums (Chamanthi) have seen a particularly steep rise, with the price climbing to ₹250 a kg from ₹100 just two days ago. Roses are being sold at ₹300 a kg, up from ₹100, while marigolds (Banthi) have doubled ₹40 to ₹80 a kg.

Vendors dealing in flowers, fruits, puja articles, Ganesh idols, and festival decorations are among those who benefited from the rush and price rise. Shopping areas began filling up from the morning, with customers making a beeline for stalls to procure everything needed for the celebrations.

The demand has not been confined to puja essentials. Decorative umbrellas, colourful hangings, and other accessories used to spruce up homes and Ganesh pandals saw brisk sales despite rise in prices.

Ganesh idol sellers displayed a wide range of models in different sizes and designs. Despite increasing concerns over their environmental impact, plaster of Paris idols are continuing to draw buyers because of their lower prices. Traders said environment-friendly clay idols had a much lesser demand owing to higher prices.

The festive rush led to traffic jams in several commercial areas. Vehicles carrying Ganesh idols to different pandals, along with the large number of shoppers, slowed traffic around the A.C. Subba Reddy Vegetable Market, Trunk Road, flower market near Atmakur Bus Stand, and the Stonehousepeta wholesale market.

Overall, Nellore wore a distinct festive look on Sunday, with pandal organisers busy moving idols and householders completing their final preparations hours ahead of Vinayaka Chavithi.