KATHMANDU: This Tihar, flower prices have soared sharply. With the festival already underway, a single marigold (sayapatri) is being sold for Rs 40–45 in the market. Maya Khatri, a 50-year-old vendor from Dolakha selling garlands on the roadside in New Road, said she had to buy marigold flowers at Rs 800 per kilogram directly from farmers this year. Last year, the same flowers cost Rs 500 per kilogram—almost half the current rate.

According to her, since farmers charged Rs 800 per kilogram, she had no choice but to sell marigold garlands for around Rs 1,000 each during Tihar. Because of the high price, her sales dropped sharply—she sold only nine garlands throughout the day on October 20, compared to 20 garlands daily last year. “Each garland costs Rs 1,000 now. Sometimes, it takes two hours to sell just one. People hesitate to buy because flowers are too expensive,” she said.

Maya has been selling garlands on the streets of Kathmandu for 22 years and said this year’s flower prices are the highest she has ever seen. Even velvet flower (makhamali) garlands, which sisters traditionally use for Bhai Tika, have become costly. “Before, a pathi (approx. 4 kg) of flowers cost Rs 100, and garlands sold for Rs 150. I could earn up to Rs 3,000 a day. This year, I barely earn anything,” she added.

Many other vendors have been bringing marigolds from Pharping at Rs 800 per kilogram and selling them for Rs 1,000 in Kalimati, New Road, and other areas of the capital. “We need at least Rs 200 profit per garland to make it worth it,” Maya said.

This year, Tihar started a bit earlier, so the marigolds did not bloom fully, pushing prices higher. Sita Pandey from Basantapur, who was buying garlands in New Road, also noted that marigolds are twice as expensive this year compared to last.

Similarly, Saroj Budha Chhetri from Nuwakot, selling flowers near Bhatbhateni in Anamnagar on the day of Laxmi Puja, said he had to sell at higher prices because farmers charged more. He sold marigold garlands at Rs 1,000 per kilogram.

In Bhaktapur, flower vendor Pramila Lama, who sells near Radhe Radhe, said farmers increased prices suddenly from Sunday, forcing them to sell garlands at higher rates. Flowers brought from Kavre, Sindhuli, Sindhupalchok, and Panchkhal were being sold for Rs 300 per kilogram a week ago, but prices jumped to Rs 600 on Sunday and reached Rs 1,000 by Tuesday.

Even a week ago, flower prices had remained relatively stable. Farmers sold velvet flowers for Rs 25–30 per bunch, but since Sunday, the price rose to Rs 40–45. Retailers now sell a single velvet garland for up to Rs 100.

Within just two days, both flower and garland prices have risen abnormally, leaving sisters—who carry the tradition of garlanding their brothers during Bhai Tika—the most affected.