Bhaktapur gears up for Tihar with floral harvests and clay lamps

As the Tihar festival approaches, the Kathmandu Valley is seeing a surge in activity as local producers work to meet the high demand for essential festive goods. In the Gundu area of Bhaktapur, farmers are currently in the midst of a busy harvest season for velvet flowers, known locally as Makhamali, according to reports from OnlineKhabar and The Rising Nepal. These flowers are a staple of Bhai Tika, serving as a symbolic offering from sisters to brothers to represent lasting bonds. Farmers in Gundu, a hub for commercial floriculture, are currently preparing thousands of garlands to supply both domestic and international markets. According to The Rising Nepal, the industry in this region has grown significantly over the last four decades, now supporting around 500 households. While local farmers like Ranjana Basnet report annual earnings of approximately Rs 800,000, they continue to face challenges including market competition from middlemen and crop threats like plant blight. To mitigate these issues, local authorities have provided subsidies for agricultural tools and seedlings, as noted by Ward No. 7 chairperson Rabindra Sapkota. Meanwhile, the demand for these flowers extends beyond Nepal, with florists like Anita Basnet exporting garlands to Nepali communities in countries such as Japan, Australia, and the United States. In parallel, the traditional pottery community in Bhaktapur is working at full capacity to produce clay lamps, or pala, for the festival. OnlineKhabar reports that these lamps are essential for Tihar rituals, including Laxmi Puja, and are also used during the Chhath festival for preparing offerings. These handcrafted items remain in high demand across the Kathmandu Valley and beyond, with buyers traveling from districts like Sindhupalchok and cities including Pokhara and Dharan to purchase them. Prices for these lamps currently sit at Rs 2 per unit, though producers anticipate an increase as the festival nears. Beyond these local crafts, the Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN) has launched the 19th Godavari Flower Competition and Exhibition at the Jawalakhel Football Ground in Lalitpur. Running until November 2, the event showcases over 450 varieties of plants and flowers. Organisers expect the exhibition to draw more than 39,000 visitors and generate commercial transactions exceeding Rs 13 million, providing a central hub for those preparing for the upcoming celebrations.