Bengaluru’s Dasara market prices have risen sharply for flowers, fruits, lemons and puffed rice, while vegetable rates have largely remained unchanged, according to market observations reported from several parts of the city on October 19. The price increases have come as residents, companies, factories and shop owners prepare for Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami.
Large crowds were reported at KR Market, Madiwala, Malleshwaram, Gandhibazaar, Yeshwanthpur, Vijayanagar, Basaveshwaranagar, Hebbal, Dasarahalli and Jayanagar. Buyers were seen purchasing flowers, fruits, ash gourds, lemons and banana bunches for household, commercial and vehicle पूजा-related rituals. Some residents who planned to travel out of Bengaluru had already conducted vehicle पूजा over the weekend, adding to the early rush in markets.
Traders attributed the higher prices of several festival commodities to supply disruptions and crop damage. A KR Market trader, Narayan, said ash gourds and jasmine flowers were arriving from Tamil Nadu, while lemons were being supplied in large quantities from Andhra Pradesh. However, inadequate rain had damaged crops in producing areas, affecting availability and pushing up prices.
Ash gourd was being sold in Bengaluru at ₹25 to ₹35 per kilogram. Rose prices had also increased after rain shortages and disease affected cultivation. Wholesale rose prices at KR Market were reported at ₹200 to ₹300 per kilogram, while retail prices ranged from ₹400 to ₹450. Chrysanthemum was selling at ₹300 to ₹350 per kilogram in the wholesale market and ₹400 to ₹450 at retail outlets.
Prices of kanakambara, jasmine, kakada and sugandharaja flowers had also increased moderately. However, the price of jasmine flower balls declined after several shops, factories and establishments conducted their pujas on Saturday and Sunday ahead of the holiday period. The timing of these ceremonies affected demand in the market before the main festival days.
Vegetable prices were reported to be broadly stable because they had already risen before the festival. Carrots were selling at ₹70 to ₹80 per kilogram, beans at ₹80 to ₹90, and ladies’ finger and ridge gourd at ₹50 to ₹60. Capsicum was also priced at ₹50 to ₹60 per kilogram. Round brinjal was being sold at ₹25 to ₹30 per kilogram in retail markets, an increase of about ₹5 to ₹10 compared with earlier rates.
Puffed rice, which sees higher demand during Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami, was selling at ₹12 to ₹15 per litre. Traders linked the increase to higher rice prices following inadequate rainfall this year. The rise in prices has also affected market activity. Wholesale flower and fruit sellers at KR Market said business had declined by about 15 per cent this festival season, despite heavy consumer footfall.
The reported pattern reflects the uneven effect of festival demand on Bengaluru’s urban markets. Consumers continued to purchase essential पूजा items, but traders said the higher rates had reduced the volume of business. The report did not indicate any official intervention or price-control measure. Market activity is expected to remain linked to demand for festival goods during the ongoing Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami period.
