2 days ago
Muslim Lotus Growers Prepare Malda Flowers for Durga Puja
Muslim farmers and workers in Malda collect lotus flowers from ponds and wetlands.
They earn a living by selling the flowers.
During Durga Puja, many more people want lotus for worship.
So workers are storing the flowers in a cold facility to keep them available.
About five lakh flowers are already stored, and they expect to store about five lakh more.
The flowers will be sent out in stages during the festival.
Hindu families and puja committees will use them in their celebrations.
The work shows how people of different faiths can depend on one another.
About five lakh lotus flowers have been collected and stored at a cold storage facility in Kamalabari, with another five lakh expected.
The flowers are being preserved for phased release from Shashthi to Dashami during Durga Puja.
Muslim growers collect lotus from ponds, water bodies and wetlands in Malda and nearby areas.
The flowers supply Durga Puja celebrations across Malda and committees outside the district.
Growers say the seasonal demand supports their livelihoods, while devotees use lotus in worship, including the traditional offering of 108 flowers.
- Who
- Muslim lotus growers and traders in Malda, along with Hindu devotees and Durga Puja committees.
- What
- Workers are collecting and preserving lotus flowers to supply increased festival demand.
- Where
- A cold storage facility in Kamalabari, English Bazar block, Malda, north Bengal.
- When
- In preparation for the upcoming Durga Puja; flowers are to be released from Shashthi to Dashami.
- Why
- Durga Puja increases demand for lotus flowers used in worship, and the trade provides a livelihood for growers.
Key facts
- Flowers already stored
- Around five lakh lotus flowers
- Additional flowers expected
- Around five lakh
- Storage location
- Kamalabari, English Bazar block, Malda
- Planned release
- In phases from Shashthi to Dashami
- Festival use
- Lotus is offered to Goddess Durga; the traditional offering of 108 lotuses is significant
- Distribution
- Durga Puja celebrations across Malda and committees outside the district
Quotes
Barkat Sheikh
Lotus cultivator in Malda
“We collect lotus from ponds, water bodies and wetlands in different parts of Malda and adjoining areas. Normally, the flowers are sold soon after collection. But during Durga Puja, demand is much higher. So we collect the flowers in advance and preserve them to ensure there is no shortage during the festival.”
thestatesman.com
“Lotus from here is supplied to small and large Durga Puja celebrations across Malda. We also send flowers to puja committees outside the district. This year, both the number of pujas and demand for lotus have increased. Therefore, we are preserving more flowers than in previous years.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
Related news
Bengal Family Continues Three-Century Tradition of Shared Worship
Bengal Urged to Better Support Durga Puja Idolmakers
Bengal’s Durga Puja Draws Food and Political Battles
Rohit Dasgupta Recreates Kolkata’s Durga Puja Spirit in London
Bangladesh Promises Support and Safety Ahead of Durga Puja
Kolkata Markets and Malls See Puja Shopping Rush
BJP Takes Control of English Bazar Municipality After Malda Zilla Parishad
Ganga Erosion Sweeps Away Houses and Schools in Malda
Malda School Inspection Finds Seven Enrolled Students, None Present
Malda Faces Uncertain October Polls for Rural, Urban Posts
