With Tihar celebrations starting today, Kathmandu’s markets are filled with bright yellow marigolds for sale. Garlands of marigold and globe amaranth (makhamali) hold significant importance in the festival. But sadly, both vendors and celebrators might face problems regarding the shortage of flowers this year.

Unseasonal downpours of October rain destroyed many fields of ready-to-harvest flowers around the country, mainly marigolds and globe amaranth (makhamali) during Tihar. Districts like Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Dhading, etc. produce marigolds. The destruction of floriculture in most districts required flowers to be imported from India to meet the demands. But yet the neighboring country is facing the same problem.