PUNE: The blue water lily - one of the most exotic of festive flowers seen only during the months of August and September - is a must among the offerings to Goddess Durga during Navaratra.
Buckets of these freshly-picked flowers are lined up outside temples like Chatushrungi, Tambadi Jogeshwari, Bhavani Mata and Laxmimata as soon as the nine-day festival begins.
Sold at Rs 10 and Rs 15 per flower, water lilies are a customary accompaniment with the 'puja thali.' "We usually get a supply of these flowers at the beginning of Ganeshotsav.
These flowers are offered specifically to Lord Ganesha and to Goddess Durga. The flowers are brought in every morning from Vashi, Dadar, Virar and other parts of Mumbai," says one flower seller, who has set up set up shop outside the famed Tambadi Jogeshwari Temple in Budhwar Peth.
However, the flower's supply has been a bit low this year as compared to last, he says. "We've not been getting enough flowers, and the sale has been slow, as well," the flower seller adds.
Another exotic floral variety during Navaratra is the white water lily. "These flowers are high in demand, but low in supply this year. No one can rule out its importance during the festival," says another flower seller.
