Koyambedu flowers to adorn Balaji at Tirumala

Chennai: It takes sheer will and determination to have a generous heart during testing times. The wholesale flower sellers of Koyambedu have been incurring losses due to poor northeast monsoon and low farm productivity. However, this did not stop them from continuing with their two-decade-old tradition of offering flowers and garlands to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) for adorning Lord Venkateswara during the Ugadi poojas.

Around 20 of these devout flower vendors at Koyambedu pooled money and resources to produce magnificent garlands of different divine flowers, in all weighing about two tones that were loaded onto a truck for Tirupati in the early hours of Friday.

"Eight flower varieties such as rose, lilies and Chrysanthemum were used to make the garlands. We have also stitched fruits in the garlands for enhancing the visual appeal," said A S Mani, a wholesale flower seller. Flowers to the Koyambedu market are supplied from Hosur, Kadapa and Tiruvallur districts.

It may be noted that these flower vendors have been offering truck-loads of flowers to Lord Balaji at Tirumala during important festivals such as Ugadi and Brahmostavam, since 20 years now. "We usually donate 4 tonnes. But since the production took a hit due to poor monsoon last year, we decided to reduce the quantity but never to skip the practice," added Mani.

TTD vehicles pick up the flowers from Koyambedu market and reach it to the Tirumala temple.