BHAKTAPUR, Oct 17: People of the Banmala community in Tathali of Bhaktapur are busy these days making garlands of globe amaranth, with the beginning of the Tihar festival.
Floriculture is the Banmalas' traditional profession. The garlands of globe amaranth are in vogue on the day of Bhai Tika of the Tihar festival. As per the time-honored tradition sisters garland their brothers with globe amaranth garlands on the day of Bhai Tika.
People of the Banmala community of Changunarayan Municipality-9, be they children, adults or old, are preoccupied with making garlands and taking these to the market.
"The 40 Banmala families in Tathali are busy plucking flowers, making garlands and taking them to the markets with the arrival of the Tihar festival," said Bishnu Banmala. The Banmalas have grown flowers on one ropani to 10 ropanis of land for sale during the Tihar festival.
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Each family earns anywhere between 100 thousand to 800 thousand rupees by selling flowers and garlands during Tihar festival.
One Ambika Banmala said she has made 30 thousand globe amaranth garlands till now. A medium size garland of globe amaranth currently fetches up to Rs 100.
Marigold and globe amaranth flowers are cultivated for commercial purpose in Gundu, Katunje, Chhaling, Dadhikot, Sipadol and Balkot areas in Bhaktapur, besides Tathali.
Flower and flower garlands worth Rs 50 million are sold in Bhaktapur annually.
Flower price soars five times
Meanwhile, the price of flowers has increased by five times this year compared to the price last year. The increase in flower price this year is because of the shortage of flowers, according to farmers.
It is said the demand for flowers has increase two folds this year. Although the production of globe amaranth is adequate, that of marigold is said to be less this year which has led to the increase in the price of marigold flower.
A single unit of marigold is sold at five rupees this time. It was sold for one rupee last year.
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