DHANUSHA, Nov 17: For the Chhath festival, bananas worth 40 million rupees have been imported from India in Madhesh Province capital Janakpurdham alone. Bananas are considered essential during the Chhath festival.

On the occasion of the Chhath festival, there is a tradition of offering whole bananas to God as an offering. Bishweshwar Yadav, Chairman of Janakpur Fruit and Vegetable Traders Committee, said that the demand for bananas during Chhath is high and when the supply is low, they have to be imported every year. According to him, even though Nepali land is considered suitable for banana production, the production here is insufficient to meet the demand.

"Last year, bananas worth over two million rupees were imported in Janakpur," he said, "This year, about 70 trucks of bananas have been imported."

In Janakpur, bananas of Gopal and Vanshibhog varieties have been imported from Bhardah, Vantabari and Inaruwa in Saptari district. Malbhog, Mirichman, Chini Champa varieties of bananas have been procured from India's Assam, Gohati, Bengal, Hajipur, Thakurganj and Champaran, said Bhuwaneshwor Purve, secretary of the committee.

He said that with the Chhath festival just a couple of days away, the price of bananas has increased by 25 percent this year compared to last year. "As the number of people celebrating Chhath increases every year, the demand for bananas has also increased. According to market demand, 15/20 more truckloads of bananas have been harvested this year than last year," he said.

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• Chhath
 
• Janakpurdham