Locals managing flower garlands for Bhai Tika (Photo Feature)

By Manoj Ratna Shahi, Kathmandu, Oct.26: The Gundu area of Bhaktapur is filled with Makhamali (globe amaranth) and Godawari (chrysanthemum) blossoms. The locals have been busy sending flowers to the bazaar, which are produced targeting Tihar. 

Locals said that even though the market has shrunk but they are continuing the age-long tradition. Picking up and stringing Makhamali and Godawari flowers has become the daily routine.

A local trader Nirmala Basnet said that flowers up to Rs. 70,000-80,000 were sold last year, but now, it has dropped to Rs. 20,000 to 25,000 flowers.

She said that she did not get the price she speculated because she could not deliver it from the farm to the market. 

Makhamali garlands hold a significant cultural value during the day of Bhai Tika so demand for Makhamali flowers is high during the Tihar festival.