All pujas in one month. And because of that, the middle class people have also spent. Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja in the same month after Bhiphonta. But by then October was nearing its end. So the pocket is almost an average field. So should one be austere in hospitality? According to the calendar, Vaiphonta’s second tithi starts from noon on Wednesday. Again following the tradition of Shukla Paksha, the sisters will drop the drops for the well-being of their brother on Thursday. And the prices of all things are quite high in the markets of Kolkata.
How has the market been affected? From Hatibagan in North Kolkata to New Market or Gariahat in South Kolkata – shopping is going on everywhere. The crowd was not seen. However, the shopping malls have seen a bit of crowding. So Bengalis are turning away from the old markets? In this regard, some shopkeepers say, ‘Crowd in the shopping mall does not mean that everyone is shopping. Some go there to watch movies and some go to eat there. Most of the people who shop there are not our customers. Most of the people who come to us to buy are from Maine. Brother has fallen at the end of the month. So the traffic of customers is less.’
What else is seen? On the occasion of Vaifonta, ancient sweet shops are decorated near Jadavpur, Boubazar, Dharmatala and Bethune College. Various Sandesh are prepared from Rasgolla, Gaja, Amriti. Sandesh of Karapak, demand of sugar free sandesh is also high. But many people think that the size is smaller than the price. Shopkeepers say that the price of sugar has increased. So the price of sweets has also increased.
How is the price going in the market? A seller was sitting with capsicum in front of the market gate. The price of 5 kg is Rs. 450. That is, the wholesale price is 90 taka. In the market, raw mangoes are being sold at Tk 140 per kg, beans at Tk 70, stalks at Tk 100, beans at Tk 200, new potatoes at Tk 40 and brinjal at Tk 45. Their prices in the open market are doubling today from Wednesday. These ingredients are essential for cooking fried rice or any other spicy dish. The price of Pabda, Gurjali or Pomfret in the fish market is Tk 500 per kg. And lobster 600 to 800 taka. Vetki’s fillets are not under a thousand rupees. The price of chicken is only around 250 rupees.