Bumper lotus harvest brings relief to Bengal flower growers ahead of Durga Puja

By Debojyoti Chakraborty Kolkata, Oct 16 (UNI) A bumper lotus harvest and a sharp rise in demand ahead of Durga Puja have brought relief to flower growers and traders across West Bengal, with wholesale prices nearly doubling compared with the previous season. The demand for lotus flowers peaks on Mahashtami, particularly during Sandhi Puja, when 108 lotuses are traditionally offered to Goddess Durga. The festive demand has created a busy season for cultivators, with orders pouring in from markets across the country. The improved situation marks a recovery from last year, when heavy flooding devastated major lotus-growing districts, including Birbhum,…