Bengaluru, Aug. 7 -- As the Varamahalakshmi festival approaches this Friday, flower vendors and farmers are facing an unexpected hurdle - a sluggish rise in flower prices, contrary to festival trends. Recent rainfall has impacted both the quantity and quality of the floral supply, keeping prices lower than usual.

On Wednesday at Bengaluru's KR Market, jasmine was selling between Rs.1,200 and Rs.1,400 per kilogram, and kanakambara (crossandra) was fetching around Rs.1,200 - a sharp drop from the Rs.2,000 to Rs.3,000 range seen in past years. Chrysanthemums (sevanthige) were priced between Rs.200 and Rs.400 per kg, depending on freshness, The Hindu reported. Button roses held steady at Rs.300 per kg, while marigolds and tuberose (sugandha ...