Fruit, flower prices surge on Varalakshmi Puja eve

Visakhapatnam: Prices of flowers and fruits have surged on the eve of Varalakshmi Puja on Friday.

Devotees, particularly women, do Vratham and fast on the day, seeking blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the Deity of Wealth.

Puja to the Goddess is elaborate, including submission of flowers and coconuts to Lakshmi.

Prices of flowers have surged in the local markets. A lotus flower, priced between ₹10–20 on regular days, has skyrocketed to ₹60–80. Similarly, the price of coconuts has shot up to around ₹30.

Celebration of the Varalakshmi Vratham festival is a reminder of enduring faith and cultural richness that defines the coastal city of Visakhapatnam.