The most demanded flowers during the Durga Puja include the Red hibiscus (Red Orhul) and the lotus .
However, since it's in short supply owing to high demand during durga puja, it has forced the flower vendors of coal capital to import these from West Bengal to meet demand but with hikes in prices.
Nevertheless, the high cost of these has left the devotees of "Mother" literally high and dry as vendors have hiked the price of these flowers this puja.
Whereas red Hibiscus are being imported from West Bengal to meet demand, lotus is being brought in from Jamtara and Bokaro besides rural locations of Dhanbad to meet demands, said Raju Malakar, a wholesaler flower vendor .
One piece of lotus flower was available at price of Rs 20 on Maha Ashtami compared to Rs 10 a piece on general days. The prices may go up to Rs 30 – Rs35 per piece on Mahanavami (ninth day of puja) that falls on October 4 this year, said Raju.
Red Hibiscus comes from Burdwan and Purulia districts of West Bengal .Dhanbad shares its borders with these districts of West Bengal so it's easy to transport. As Red hibiscus is in heavy demand during puja across Bengal too, price has been increased by the West Bengal suppliers in view of high demand, told Raju.
Retailer Ramayan Malakar said, red hibiscus garland having eleven flowers , 21 flowers , 51 flowers and 101 flowers are available and cost between Rs 51 to Rs 251 depending upon the count of flowers.
" We cannot control the price as we have to pay a high price for these flowers to puja demands, '' added Ramratan who was selling Rs four a piece red hibiscus today.