Kolkata Flower Market Faces Record Prices as Kali Puja Meets Diwali

In Kolkata’s bustling flower markets, the convergence of Diwali and Kali Puja this year has led to record‑breaking prices for red hibiscus blossoms. Vendors reported on Sunday that a standard garland of 108 hibiscus flowers is being sold for ₹150‑₹200, a jump from the ₹25‑₹30 price tag a week earlier. A larger garland featuring 1,008 flowers now costs between ₹1,000 and ₹1,200, almost double the highest price observed last year. The price hike is traced to farmers who have increased their asking prices, a move that first impacts wholesale traders and subsequently retail outlets. Because of the inflated costs, sellers have largely stopped offering loose flowers, opting instead for pre‑assembled garlands that bundle the flower price with the labor of tying the strings. The surge is not confined to hibiscus; lotus flowers have more than doubled in price, and orange and yellow marigolds are fetching ₹180‑₹200 and ₹210‑₹220 per kilogram respectively. The combined festive demand has intensified pressure on supply chains, pushing prices to unprecedented levels.