Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SS)

Udupi, Oct 27: "I came here with the hope of making some money by selling flowers during the Deepavali festival. However, the sale of flowers has been hit due to the solar eclipse and thus I am forced to go home empty handed," said Gangamma, a flower seller from Arkalgud who was here to sell flowers.

Similar is the situation of hundreds of flower sellers who came here from Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Haveri, Davanagere and Chitradurga districts. Flower sellers who used to return home after selling their entire stock every year have gone back home unhappy after incurring losses.

Rangaswamy said he bought Rs 65,000 worth of sevanthige flowers (Chrysanthemum) but said he had managed to sell only Rs 20,000 worth of stock. He felt that he would have to return home with a loss if he doesn't sell the remaining stock soon. He said he sold Rs 10,000 worth of flowers on the first day and managed only Rs 3,000 on the second day due to the eclipse. Flower prices have plummeted due to the heat and are likely to go down further, he felt.

Another flower seller said during last Deepavali he had sold Rs 25,000 worth flowers in one day but this year he had not even managed to sell Rs 5,000 worth.

Flower seller Chandru said he had invested Rs 80,000 on flowers but had managed to earn only Rs 27,000. He said he is likely to incur more than 50% loss due to scorching sunlight and lack of business.

It is not just flowers. Fruits, sweets, jewellery, textiles and retail shops have suffered losses due to lack of patronage. There was no excitement among shoppers in Udupi.

Similar was the situation in Krishna Mutt and the car street. The temple wore a deserted look and the street looked quiet with vehicular traffic down to a trickle. Hotels were also closed and the number of tourists were also few.