Say it with flowers

Flowers represent a symbol of love, friendship and even, prestige. Be it a doe- eyed lover proposing to his sweetheart, a 'get well soon' wish or arrangements at different hotels, flowers have the grace to enhance any occasion. Today with budgets getting tighter, buying flowers are kept at a low priority. But not anymore, what with a place in our very own Delhi, where you can buy flowers at a very low price.

A bunch of six dozen red roses is available at Rs 100, which in the retail market will cost around Rs 450. If you are looking for some exotic and different flowers well you have hit the right place. From Dahlia to Carnations to Chrysanthemums, Orchids, Daisy and even Palm arrangements. A bunch of Rajnigandha is available for Rs 50, a bunch of lovely Dutch roses for Rs 80, a loose rose stem for Rs 2.50, which in the retail market would cost anywhere between Rs 10 per steam. A bunch of lovely yellow and maroon chrysanthemums for Rs 25, Rs 80 for long stemmed bunch of Gladioli in lovely hues for Rs 75, A huge bunch of orchids for Rs 130. Greens like China asparagus go for Rs 220 per kilo and other varieties of grass at Rs 160 a kilo. Rs 30 for fan- palm stems, a bunch of Daffodils for mere Rs 30. The flowers here are available at rock bottom prices and there is a scope for bargaining too!

The market is located in the heart of Delhi, which is central Delhi at Baba Kharag Singh Marg, opposite Hanuman Mandir at Connaught Place and the market usually operates from 5:30 am to 9:30 am daily. Delhi constitutes the largest domestic market for flowers and this is the city's main flower bazaar. Florists, hotels contractors, agents with the corporate sector can be seen here buying flowers in bulk. But for the retail buyers the flowers are available at a very reasonable price. As Anju Sharma, a professor of Political Science at Delhi University puts it, "I am a flower lover and frequent this place often to decorate my house. But these days the florists sell a decent rose for Rs 8- 10 and an entire bouquet can cost anywhere around Rs 200- 400, but here I buy loose flowers and that too a different variety at a very cheap price and I can do the setting as I like, I can actually decorate my house under Rs 150 including the cost of the basket."

You can also pick up cane and wicker baskets in different shapes and sizes, dried flower decorations, colourful ferns and grasses, flower holders and even wrapping paper and ribbons. Loose marigold, garlands in marigold and chrysanthemums are also available. There are many varieties of green grass, stems and foliage, which are at Rs 3-4 a bunch. Some sellers in the market also take orders for pandal, marriage and car decorations. The boom time for the traders is winter with weddings, New Year and Valentine's Day coming up.

Flowers come here from Banglore, Pune, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and also from Mehrauli and farms in the neighbourhood of Delhi. But why do these vendors sell flowers at such a low price? Actually all of them are wholesale suppliers who quote minimum prices.

According to V K Singh of Camson Agritech, "There are different associations selling flowers under a common market, these include the Birju Phool Mandi, the Delhi growers and cutters association and the suppliers association and many more."

Be sure to hit the place soon, for the widest variety of flowers at inexpensive prices, for great decorations and bargains and also for a gift for someone you love.

- Jyoti Narang