Balurghat, Sept. 4 -- Rising prices of essential food items, traditional sweets, fruits and flowers have cast a shadow over Janmashtami celebrations in Balurghat on Friday, making customary offerings and festive delicacies costlier for devotees.
Sugar was selling at Rs 58-60 a kg and jaggery at around Rs 70 a kg in the local market. "Sugar and jaggery prices have increased considerably. We have to sell at higher rates as our procurement costs have also gone up," said grocery shop owners.
The price rise was reflected in traditional delicacies usually offered to the God. Taler bora was priced at Rs 40 per 100 grams, tal kheer at Rs 20 a bowl, Malpoa at Rs 15 a piece and Jilipi at Rs 35 per 250 grams. Jilipi vendors said customers were still buying the traditional sweet despite the higher prices. "People may be buying smaller quantities but they do not want to miss traditional food items on Janmashtami," they said.
Sweet shop owners said prices of Rosogolla, Pantua, Sandesh, Laddu, Talshas Sandesh and Kheer Kadam had risen by around Rs 5 on average.
Fruits used for festive offerings were also expensive. Apples were selling at around Rs 300 a kg, lemons Rs 100, malta Rs 300, pomegranates Rs 250, pears Rs 280 and berries Rs 400 a kg. Pineapples cost Rs 60-80 each.
Flower prices added to the burden, with garlands costing Rs 20-40 and lotus flowers around Rs 30 each. Traders said demand remained high despite the price rise.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.