Lakshmi Puja today

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 4: Lakshmi Puja is on Thursday. Materials for Lakshmi Puja are a scarce in Assam these days. So much so that there are people who can make money by selling such materials that were hitherto available almost everywhere in the State.

Idols of the Goddess are sold at Rs 40 to Rs 500 in the city market. Photos of the Goddess are also sold at Rs 20 to Rs 100 apiece. Four plantain saplings together are sold at Rs 100. Plantain plants from Hajo, lbari, Ghagrapar, Bezera, Bhaihata Chariali etc., have glutted Guwahati market. While green coconuts which are used in ghots are sold at Rs 20-50 apiece, the ripe one is sold at 100 per pair. Earthen sakis are sold at Rs 10-50 per dozen. Pancha  pallab (five twigs with leaves intact) which are essential for Lakshmi Puja is sold at Rs 20 per bunch. A cluster of ripe paddy is sold at Rs 10-30, a flower garland at Rs 30, a bunch of dhubori herbs at Rs 5, chenikol at Rs 30-40 a dozen, malbhuk kol from Rs 60-70 a dozen, a piece of roboktenga at Rs 20, apple at Rs 140-160 per kg, spati at Rs 150 per kg, grape at Rs 200 a kg, sugarcane at Rs 30 per piece etc.