Onam is mostly the festival of flowers. The demand for flowers reaches high during Onam. The festival will not be complete without Athapookalam or the floral carpet.
Flower market expanded with the institutionalised Onam celebrations or competitive celebrations associated with it by educational institutions, offices, residents’ associations etc.
Chalai market is the one place to visit during Onam because it is here that one gets all kinds of flowers needed for the celebration. With only one more day remaining before the Onam celebrations begin, the flowers shops in Chalai are anticipating a brisk business.
The demand for flowers increases a day before Atham (August 25) and dwindles only after Thiruvonam (September 4).
The market receives flowers from Thovalai in Kanyakumari district and from Bangalore. It will be supplemented from flower markets of Hosur, Gundalpet in Karnataka, Aralvaimozhi, Madurai, Dindigul and Satyamangalam in Tamil Nadu. More than 10,000 kg of flowers will reach the Chalai market during Onam.
Jamanthi (Indian marigold) and vadamalli (bachelor’s button flower), which are the staple requirements in floral competitions, have not crossed Rs 60 and Rs 120 per kilo, at present.
It is expected to double during the peak days. Different types of Arali flowers (Nerium oleander) are available. Red Arali from Dindigul, which comes in 1-kilo packets, is a favourite among buyers. It now costs Rs 120 a packet. From Thovalai, a mix of Arali in red, white and rose colours are available for Rs 300 per kilo.
Lotus mostly comes from Vellayani and cost Rs 5 a piece. The prices of ‘mulla’ and ‘pichi,’ used as hair adornment, are priced from Rs300 to Rs 350 and Rs 600 to Rs 700 per kg respectively. “Onam also heralds the onset of marriage season. The demand for Jasmine and cut flowers go high,” said Robinson of Rosa Florist and Floral Decors. Apart from flowers the shops also sell evergreen leaves.
The flower market does a business of approximately Rs 72 lakh to Rs 1.2 crore per day
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