Chennai, Oct 19:
Markets across Chennai witnessed a festive rush as households, shops, offices, factories and educational institutions made preparations for Ayudha Pooja, with shoppers thronging T. Nagar, Koyambedu, Purasawalkam, Parrys and Tambaram to purchase flowers, fruits and traditional pooja items.
The rush was particularly visible in Koyambedu, where traders stocked up on flowers, fruits, banana saplings, mango-leaf festoons, coconuts, white pumpkins and other essentials. Retail markets and busy shopping streets in T. Nagar, Purasawalkam, Parrys and Tambaram also saw people making last-minute purchases. Families were seen carrying bags of fruits and flowers, while traders worked to meet the increased demand ahead of the festival.
Flowers remained among the most sought-after items, with jasmine, mullai, chrysanthemum, roses and other varieties bought for decorating pooja rooms, vehicles, machinery and workplaces. Prices varied according to the flower, quality and supply. At the Koyambedu market, jasmine was quoted at around Rs 350 to Rs 630 a kg, mullai at Rs 460 to Rs 540, chrysanthemum at Rs 200 to Rs 400 and panneer rose at Rs 240 to Rs 300. Traders expected demand to remain high during the festive period.
Fruit stalls also recorded brisk sales, with bananas, apples, oranges, guavas, pomegranates and coconuts featuring prominently in shopping lists. Banana saplings and mango-leaf festoons were purchased for decorating entrances and workplaces. Pori, aval and pori kadalai were in demand as traditional offerings, alongside coconuts, betel leaves, sugar, kalkandu and other pooja ingredients. The rush reflected the customary practice of preparing a complete set of offerings for the festival.
Ayudha Pooja is traditionally observed by cleaning and worshipping tools, machinery, vehicles, work equipment and educational materials. Homes, shops, factories, offices and workshops are decorated, and prayers are offered for prosperity and success in work. Many families also prepare special offerings and distribute sweets and snacks after the pooja.
With demand rising close to the festival, shoppers were comparing prices and buying essentials from wholesale markets as well as neighbourhood shops. Traders said the festive period provides an important boost to seasonal sales, particularly for vendors dealing in flowers, fruits and pooja materials. Prices can differ across markets and according to the time of purchase.
The market details and Koyambedu price indications are based on reports published ahead of Ayudha Pooja; prices may vary across Chennai.