Archive · 5 Oct 2026
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.
- When
- In preparation for the upcoming Durga Puja; flowers are to be released from Shashthi to Dashami.
- Where
- A cold storage facility in Kamalabari, English Bazar block, Malda, north Bengal.
- Why
- Durga Puja increases demand for lotus flowers used in worship, and the trade provides a livelihood for growers.
- 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