El Niño fuels Ayudha Puja price hike in Trichy

Ayudha Puja preparations in Trichy were marked by significantly inflated prices for traditional decorative items, a direct consequence of reduced banana and flower cultivation. This downturn in agricultural output is attributed to the impact of El Niño and insufficient rainfall, which disrupted weather patterns and affected crop yields. Banana stems and saplings saw prices double, with individual leaves selling for ₹5 to ₹10. Flower merchants reported that jasmine varieties, including Malligai and kanakambaram, have tripled in price, with some fetching up to ₹2,000 per kilogram. These price surges at the wholesale level have directly impacted retail rates, despite strong festive demand. Farmers and traders noted that the lack of adequate rainfall, delayed Cauvery water, and dipping groundwater levels further exacerbated the production decline across agriculture, horticulture, and floriculture sectors in the region. Nevertheless, the festive spirit prevailed as shoppers diligently purchased necessary items like banana stems, flowers, mango leaves, and coconuts, underscoring the cultural importance of these goods for the rituals honouring workplaces and tools.