<p>Festival rush was evident at Devaraja and other markets in the city on the eve of ‘Ayudha puja’, celebrated on the ninth day of Dasara (Mahanavami), on October 10.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Vendors selling flowers, fruits, banana stems and ash gourds, the most essential items for Ayudha Puja, are doing roaring business on all important circles and roadsides.<br /><br />As every year, the price of flowers and fruits had spiralled up. The shoppers, who had purchased flowers at a reasonable price during Gowri-Ganesh festival last month, were seen bargaining with the vendors. Chrysanthemum was sold at Rs 70 to Rs 100 per metre, marigold at Rs 40 per kg, roses around Rs 250 per kg. However, jasmine was available in only limited stock as its transportaion from Tamil Nadu has been stopped, due to the ongoing Cauvery row.<br /><br />Ash gourds, which is supplied from villages in and around Mysuru, were sold at a price ranging between Rs 40 to Rs 350, depending on its size. Lemons were in great demand and were sold at Rs 6 to Rs 10 per fruit. Banana stems were available at Rs 20 to Rs 30 per pair.<br /><br />Dhanvantri Road, where the sale of flowers and other articles were banned, was also abuzz with activity as traders were seen occupying both the sides of the road. <br /><br />The vendors were seen making brisk business on Dewan’s Road in front of J K Grounds.<br /><br />Sweet stalls<br />As it is a custom to distribute sweets among employees, relatives and friends during Dasara, popular sweet marts received huge orders. <br /><br />People were seen thronging all sweet stalls on the eve of Ayudha puja.<br /><br />There was a mad rush at all vehicle service stations in the city to get their vehicles serviced. As is the tradition, the people perform puja to vehicles on Ayudha Puja day. <br /><br />So, mechanics were seen working overtime, giving all vehicles like motorbikes, cars, sports utility vehicles and others a water wash.<br /><br />In Hassan<br />Despite the district facing drinking water crisis due to insufficient rains and release of water to Tamil Nadu from Hemavathi dam, the mood was upbeat in Hassan. The Cauvery row has not dampened the festival spirit of the people.<br /><br />People were seen thronging the markets to purchase mango leaves, banana stalks, flowers, fruits and others. With heavy loads of ash gourds arriving in the market, it was sold between Rs 40 and Rs 80. Chrysanthemum was sold at Rs 50 per measure, it was Rs 40 and Rs 20 for white chrysanthemum and marigold flowers.<br /><br />With Hasanamba jatre beginning from October 20, people were also seen purchasing sweets and clothes. <br /><br />The festive rush was also observed in Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts.</p>
<p>Festival rush was evident at Devaraja and other markets in the city on the eve of ‘Ayudha puja’, celebrated on the ninth day of Dasara (Mahanavami), on October 10.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Vendors selling flowers, fruits, banana stems and ash gourds, the most essential items for Ayudha Puja, are doing roaring business on all important circles and roadsides.<br /><br />As every year, the price of flowers and fruits had spiralled up. The shoppers, who had purchased flowers at a reasonable price during Gowri-Ganesh festival last month, were seen bargaining with the vendors. Chrysanthemum was sold at Rs 70 to Rs 100 per metre, marigold at Rs 40 per kg, roses around Rs 250 per kg. However, jasmine was available in only limited stock as its transportaion from Tamil Nadu has been stopped, due to the ongoing Cauvery row.<br /><br />Ash gourds, which is supplied from villages in and around Mysuru, were sold at a price ranging between Rs 40 to Rs 350, depending on its size. Lemons were in great demand and were sold at Rs 6 to Rs 10 per fruit. Banana stems were available at Rs 20 to Rs 30 per pair.<br /><br />Dhanvantri Road, where the sale of flowers and other articles were banned, was also abuzz with activity as traders were seen occupying both the sides of the road. <br /><br />The vendors were seen making brisk business on Dewan’s Road in front of J K Grounds.<br /><br />Sweet stalls<br />As it is a custom to distribute sweets among employees, relatives and friends during Dasara, popular sweet marts received huge orders. <br /><br />People were seen thronging all sweet stalls on the eve of Ayudha puja.<br /><br />There was a mad rush at all vehicle service stations in the city to get their vehicles serviced. As is the tradition, the people perform puja to vehicles on Ayudha Puja day. <br /><br />So, mechanics were seen working overtime, giving all vehicles like motorbikes, cars, sports utility vehicles and others a water wash.<br /><br />In Hassan<br />Despite the district facing drinking water crisis due to insufficient rains and release of water to Tamil Nadu from Hemavathi dam, the mood was upbeat in Hassan. The Cauvery row has not dampened the festival spirit of the people.<br /><br />People were seen thronging the markets to purchase mango leaves, banana stalks, flowers, fruits and others. With heavy loads of ash gourds arriving in the market, it was sold between Rs 40 and Rs 80. Chrysanthemum was sold at Rs 50 per measure, it was Rs 40 and Rs 20 for white chrysanthemum and marigold flowers.<br /><br />With Hasanamba jatre beginning from October 20, people were also seen purchasing sweets and clothes. <br /><br />The festive rush was also observed in Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts.</p>
