V'dara witnesses grand wedding procession

Devotees join Narsinhji no varghodo and Tulsi vivah

Devanshi Joshi & Pratik Shah/ DNA.Vadodara
13th November,2008

The Sanskari nagri of Gujarat was all booming on city's landmark event of the wedding procession of Lord Narsinhji

on Dev Diwali. To Vadodara Narsinhji no Varghodo is what the Rathyatra is to Ahmedabad.

Amid tight security, the event marked ceremonial wedding procession of Lord Narsinhji who went to marry Tulsiji. Thousands of devotees from city and outside participated the marvellous procession.

Narsinhji no varghodo has become an identity Vadodara is the only city in Gujarat where Lord Narsinhji's procession has been taken out for over 125 years. the idol of Lord Narsinhji was taken out from Narsinhji ni pole at Mandvi and ceremoniously and taken to tulsivadi. Hundreds of devotee joined the residents of the Narsinhji ni pole in the procession as the relatives of the groom.

Devotees clad and rich traditional attire and kids in the fancy dresses fire crackers, music bands and devotional songs all were some of major attraction of annual fete. The varghodo started at 5:30 PM from Narsinhji ni pole reached Tulsivadi around 9:30 PM.

As the tradition goes, Lord Narsinhji, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu weds Tulsiji on Kartiki purnima, which is celebrated as Dev Diwali. The Lord's wedding ceremony was performed with traditional rituals which continued till the early hours of next day. After the wedding Tulsiji comes at Narsinhji ni pole along with Lord Narsinhji.

The police took all pain for the smooth passage of the procession. Before the procession began, the dog and bomb squads had undertaken security checks at every nook and corner of the procession route.

Narsinhji no Varghodo attracts NRGs and foreigners alike

The event has been a grand celebration for people of Vadodara

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA
Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Narsinhji no Varghodo at Vadodara has its own identity as it is the only procession where Lord Narsinhji goes to marry Tulsiji on the day of Dev Diwali.

'Narsinhji no varghodo' in Vadodara has been a grand celebration for Barodians for more than 125 years but NRIs and foreigners also make it a point to come to Vadodara on the day of Dev Diwali to see the auspicious Narsinhji's customary procession.On Thursday, many non-resident Gujaratis participated as barati in Narsinhji no Varghodo.

Ajay Mehta, an NRG from Britain has been to the city especially for Narsinhji no Varghodo. Ajay said, "Every year I come to India and make it a point to come during Diwali time, so that I can celebrate the diwali as well as attend 'Narsinhji no varghodo'. Being Barodian, I have very good attachment and memories with 'Narsinhji no varghodo' as I have been participating in the procession since my childhood. Now the time has changed and I don't live in the city but 'Narsinhji no varghodo' is the celebration, which makes my visit to India definite every year."

Suketu Shah a student and an NRG from US visited 'Narsinji no varghodo' for the first time. Suketu said, "Being born and brought up in US, I have not seen Indian rituals much. This time fortunately my visit to India during the time of 'Narsinhji no varghodo' gave me an opportunity to become a part of Lord's auspicious wedding moments. I had been told by my grandfather to see the 'Narsinhji no varghodo' who also told me the religious importance of procession."

Not only NRIs but foreigners also visited 'Narsinhji no varghodo' with great surprise of seeing God's grand wedding followed by rituals ceremony. Michelle Clinston, a foreign visitor said, “India is a land of cultural values and its versatility always attracts any foreigners. I and my friends are enjoying our trip to India especially the colours of Indian culture and variety. My friend from Vadodara told me about the Narsinhji procession and we planned to visit Vadodara to see the procession. It is surprising to know that in India God's wedding is being celebrated with grand procession and the wedding season starts after Narsinhji's wedding.”

Foodies on a high despite recession

Popular restaurants and food joints in Vadodara are doing their best to woo customers
Devanshi Joshi.Vadodara/DNA

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

When it is festival time, nothing can stop the food-loving Gujaratis from enjoying eating out. Not even global recession. Popular restaurants and food joints in Vadodara are doing their best to woo the customers too. Restaurants have special Diwali menus, themes and decorations and are offering special discount to attract foodies.City-based popular Gujarati restaurants have specially prepared Diwali menu, which include varieties of Gujarati farsan and sweets. Restaurants have found innovative ways to and some have even made changes in the interiors to provide a different ambience. A restaurant in Subhanpura area of the city has come up with food items such as 'kaka-bhatrija khichdi, derani-jethani dhokala, mama-bhanej mithai in their menu this season. “During Diwali people usually opt to go out for dinner or lunch to celebrate the festival with their family. This year we have introduced food items with new names,” said Bharat Patel, a restaurant owner. Restaurants in the city have added mehandi, tattoo and photograph counters for customers to make their visits memorable. Discount on take away and high bill amount are also being offered at various restaurants in the city. Restaurants, food outlets and food joints in mall have lit up with different Diwali themes and decorations. Restaurants on the highway and at remote areas are also becoming popular places to eat out. “Downturn in the market would not affect the restaurant and food business. If people cannot buy this season at least they can spend time with their loved once at restaurants and food joints. We have prepared a special menu for these five days of Diwali which includes varieties of dishes,” said Manoj Sharma a restaurant manager at Fatehgunj.As said by Hiral vyas a homemaker at Gotri, “Gujaratis are known for their love for food and when it is time of festivity, food tops the list for every Gujarati. Every year, during Diwali we try out different restaurants. The selection of the place depends on the food taste and the ambience.”

Pricier crackers promise low-key Diwali

Rise in prices by 35-40% may make crackers unaffordable for ordinary people

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA
Thursday, October 23, 2008

Firecrackers wont just set the skies ablaze this Diwali. The 35-40% rise in cracker prices seems to burn a hole in the pockets of many who want to celebrate the festival of lights. Families which spent Rs1,000 on crackers last Diwali will now have to spend around Rs1,500 for the same. Fireworks manufacturers and dealers cite rising raw material costs and a shortage of labour as the reasons behind the hike. The industry is also facing problems in purchasing raw materials and transporting finished products. Increase in the prices of raw materials and chemicals such as potassium nitrate, sulphur and aluminium, which are used in fireworks manufacture, has directly affected prices. Phosphorous prices have risen to Rs440 a kg from Rs180 a kg. Similarly, aluminium has shot up to Rs225 a kg from Rs140 a kg last year. Naim Kapadwala, a fireworks manufacturer, told DNA: “The fireworks market across India has hit a rough patch due to the recession. Prices of raw materials imported from China and other parts of country have seen a tremendous rise. In addition, increased transportation and labour charges, and the burden of tax have also had an effect on the market. Prices of some crackers, like the roll, have doubled. All we can do is hope for good sales. Jayesh Shah, a crackers dealer, said: “The price rise has made the market very dull and dry this year. Customers are keeping themselves away from heavy purchases of crackers. Diwali is just a few days away and we have not seen as much sales as is usual.” Even customers who come to buy firecrackers are turned off by the high prices. Piyush Patel, who enjoys lighting fireworks, said, “Though my budget was around Rs1,000-Rs1,500 for crackers, I ended up spending Rs2,500 since I couldnt get even 50% of what I wanted on my budget. I bore this extra expenditure for the sake of my kids, but this has disturbed my Diwali budget, and I will need to cut on some other expenses.” Anuja Shah, a customer said, “Prices of fireworks increase each year but, this time, it is too high and has made a big hole in our pockets. It has become difficult to put aside hundreds of rupees for crackers, since all prices go beyond the thousands. Prices of commodities and other things are already disturbing our Diwali budget, and now the added prices of crackers have made Diwali a costly affair.”

Diwali celebrations just a click away

Diwali-oriented websites are offering a range of festivities online

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Be it information, fun or festivity, the .com era has made the most impossible of the things possible through the ever so proliferating cyber community. So much so that even Diwali can be celebrated by simply going online and logging on to websites that offer surprisingly innovative ways to enjoy festivals.There is a virtual online world where websites focus on providing viewers with a real festival experience by way of catering news, views, interaction forum and shopping opportunities. So, while one is engaged in enjoying real-life celebrations, he can do the same by going online. Websites like Indiaoz.com, indiagiftportal.com and welcometoindia.com are some of the popular Diwali-oriented sites offering a range of festivities online.For instance, one can go online for e-Ganesha, e-Lakshmi and a host of other Diwali pujas that give users a very realistic experience of the way in which they are done. Real-life rituals are made simpler online. Click on 'online aarti' and the computer screen shows a bell and an aarti room where users can click to drag the diyas and shower flowers on their deities. Bharat Patel, an NRG in New York believes that online aartis are a good option for those living in a foreign country. "Here, it is not possible to celebrate Diwali in the way it is done in India. We don't even get an off during 'Dhanteras and 'Sharda Pujan'; besides, it is difficult to get hold of a 'pandit' to perform the rituals during Diwali. It is here that, websites like these come handy in offering satisfaction of fulfilling the customs the Indian way. In fact, one can also avoid spending a lot on buying firecrackers by surfing through these websites. One can light 'phooljhadis' and see other spectacular fireworks with both sound and light effect. Needless to mention, e-cards are also becoming a popular way of exchanging Diwali greetings.Tech-savvy youngsters in Vadodara are finding online celebrations a great fun, especially when it comes to sharing Diwali greetings with friends and relatives living abroad. Ronak Soni, a computer engineering student said, "I used online websites for greeting as well as for bursting crackers. Though the level of excitement involved in bursting online crackers is nowhere close to the real ones, it is fun, especially for NRIs."A sparkling collection of online Diwali gifts are also a click away. Bhavesh Mehta, a customer care professional of online portal said, "Virtual celebrations have become a hit. Greeting cards, gifts and pujas on websites are attracting users, especially those who are not aware of actual rituals."Forum Chhaya contributed to this report

Here, Spiderman plays dandiya with Mahatma Gandhi

Every year, at a garba venue in Karelibaug, a fancy dress competition brings out the myriad colours of the nine-day festival

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Spiderman playing garba with Mahatma Gandhi can be seen here. Every year at a garba venue at Karelibaug in Vadodara, a fancy dress competition is organised on the eight day of Navratri, where all the performers come dressed up in different fancy dresses. Many Barodians enjoy garba in the getup of famous characters and personalities. Garba revellers can be seen dressed as Shivaji, Saibaba, Bharatmata, Narendra Modi, also as characters of movie 'Singh is King'. Nirad Pandya, an organizer, said: “Every year people at our garba wait for the eighth day of Navratri to participate in fancy dress competition as well as dance in unique attire. Ours is the only garba in the city which organises the fancy dress competition and it gets great response from garba enthusisasts.”This year, garba revellers at Karelibaug's garba danced in getup of cricketers, prince and princess while one couple wearing school uniform became centre of attraction. Garba revellers enjoyed the garba with attractive get up and got appreciation from viewers as well as other performers.The craze of participating with fancy dress was confined not only to youngsters but middle-age couples were also there who enjoyed the garba in getup of king-queen and students. Devang and Kumud Trivedi, a garba-loving couple, said: “We love to dance in Navratri with funky getup. Earlier, we used to feel shy in performing garba with fancy get up but after getting good response from viewers now we try different get ups every year. This year we have danced dressed in school uniforms. Our children also danced with us and we enjoyed the fest to the fullest.”

Gastronomic delight: After garba, Barodians prefer roadside eateries

People love eating at the popular roadside places to savour Gujarati dishes

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA
Wednesday, October 08, 2008

On a normal day, one will find Barodians going out for continental, Chinese and other multi cuisine dishes at restaurants and food joints, but come Navratri and road side vendors get busy serving typical Gujarati specialties like papdi no loat and sev usal to hoards of hungry Barodians after garba.These food items are a rage among the food-lovers during this festival season and the famous road side food junctions in Vadodara have become the must-visit place for the revellers, especially after the garba. After utilising their energies dancing to their favourite garba tunes, the road side food joints are the last stop for the gastronomes in the city.The stalls of papdi no loat can be seen at every half kilo meters near garba venues in the city. Starting from Rs5 to Rs10 one small bowl of papdi no loat, garnished with oil and spices, is the must food item to have in Navratri. The vendors selling this item get good profit as the cost of preparing the loat doesnt cost much but the selling price gives good margin at the same time, people also find the price pocket friendly. Ramesh Patel, a papdi no loat stall owner near a garba venue at old Padra road in Vadodara, said, “Profit margin is very high in selling papdi no loat. We Patels are famous for making this item. My wife cooks the loat, which is made from boiling rice flour after adding and salt and spices in it. It is then served after garnishing it with vegetable oil and red chilli powder.”Talking to DNA, a group of garba lovers, including Arpan, Aditi, Nimit and others, said, “Navratri in Vadodara is not complete without papdi no loat. Every night, after dancing for hours at the garba venues, we try different papdi no loat stalls in the city. It is not only pocket friendly but after playing the garba spicy loat with extra oil gives us some energy. Nothing can beat the taste of Barodian road side food.”Next popular item is sev usal but is available only at selected places in the city like Rajmahal road, Station road and Chokhandi. The scene at these roadside food junctions at mid night is worth experiencing with every stall being jam-packed with people in colourful traditional dresses and savouring sev usal. This apart, stalls of khaman, dhokala, ragda petis, vada pav and chaats are other items which are popular among Barodians during Navratri. Economic prices and eating with friends in the open on the road side brings the city to life throughout the night.

Kids garba is gaining popularity

Exclusive garba venues for kids has nearly doubled this year

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA
Sunday, October 05, 2008

Increasing number of exclusive garba venues for kids and the grandeur with which these are organized in city certainly reflect the enthusiasm of the Barodian children. Garba venues meant only for kids are gaining popularity in the city. In fact, it has nearly doubled this year.More than ten venues in the city are organising kids' garba this year. In most of the venues, children only up to 15 year are allowed in the ground. Interestingly at kids' garba, playback singing and instrument playing is also done by the kids. Group of kids make the garba enthusiasts dance on their beats.What attract kids' attention towards the garbas are gifts. Each participant is given gifts everyday. Anal Patel, an 11-year-old enthusiast, said, “From last three years, I am playing at kids' garba venue near my home. I like it here as it gives me enough space to dance in comparison to common garba venues, where we kids don't get any attention. Along with that, a new gift everyday adds excitement to our garba fervor.”Parents find kids' garba perfect for their children due to exclusive entry only for kids. Smita Shah, mother of 12-year-old twins, Rahul and Ruhali, said, “I prefer these garba venues for my kids as they provide an environment essentially of their kind also granting safety. At general garba venues it is difficult for children to dance. Here I can also see them dance.”Avani Patel, an organizer of kids' garba in Vadodara, said, “We have been organising kids' garba at Karelibag for last seven years. The increased number of young enthusiasts has made this place equivalent to other garba venues.” Young garba enthusiasts with their unique dressing style are also making the festival alive.

Glitter is back in jewellery this Navratri

Heavy traditional & ethnic looks have replaced oxidised & black metal ornaments

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA
Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Tired of wearing the same type of oxidised jewellery every Navratri? Dont worry, jewellery trends this Navratri have have now become more colourful with beads, kundan and other embellishments from the black metal that we were used to seeing till recent times. Jewellery in trend this season will consist heavy sets bedecked with multi-colour stones, mirror work on abstract designs and also a variety of cloth-based jewellery. The Rajwadi and Kutchi-work jewellery designs, which were popularised by the latest Bollywood movie, Jodha Akbar, are in vogue this fest.Raju Kapdi, a jewellery store owner at Navabazar in Vadodara, said, “We have imported jewellery from Mumbai and Surat this year. Oxidised jewellery is not much in demand as coloured metal is in rage. Kada, tikka, baju bandh, necklace with diamond and kundan work are in fashion. We have imported ethnic jewellery from Kutch.”In Vadodara this time trend of heavy work on chania choli is lavishing the garba lovers and in matching with that mirror work and multi colour jewellery are going well in combination.“Fashion in jewellery has undergone drastic changes this Navratri,” said Rami Soni a jewellery seller in Vadodara. He said that its the heavy-look jewellery which currently rules the fashionistas world. “Mix and match jewellery is attracting the girls this festival. Rajwadi style of jewellery is in high demand,” Soni said.Ornaments based on cloth and embellished with tikki and kodi work is also in trend not only for its rich work, but also for its anti-allergic property. Krutika Jaha, a garba enthusiast, said, “I have purchased heavily embellished chania cholis with multi color and mirror work ornaments which is currently in fashion. This can be mixed and matched for different looks all the nine nights.”

Barodians make a beeline for garba CDs

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA

Saturday, September 27, 2008

With Navratri just a few days away, revellers in the city are already into the festive mood by thronging music shops for cassettes and CDs of garba songs. Traditional folk songs, Gujarati movie songs and Hindi dandiya mix are in huge demand. And, with the increasing demand for these songs, the market for garba CDs in Vadodara is experiencing a boom time this Navratri.Different types of new albums have arrived this year with names like non-stop garba-2008, remix garba, dandia ni ramjhat and many more are becoming instant hits. Music-shop owners in city are witnessing an increase in demand of garba CDs due to these new arrivals.However, traditional Gujarati garba songs have always been close to the hearts of people of this city. Anup Vasvani, a music-shop owner at Rajmahel road, said: “The demand for garba CDs had in fact started a month before the Navratri festival as people need them for practice.” Said Sushil Soni, another music-shop owner at Fatehgunj: “Demand of garba CDs has left Hindi movie songs behind. Customers demand for garba songs these days. We have a variety of garba albums launched by music companies. This year almost 50 garba albums are ruling the market.” This year, a fusion of garba songs with different western music is becoming a rage among young Barodians.“Though the demand for fusion and remix songs is increasing, when it comes to playing garba, Vadodara is still famous for its traditional style of garbas during Navratri. Folk songs like Sanedo and Timali have always attracted huge crowd,” said Manoj Patel, a music shop-owner at Karelibaug.Not only audio albums, even video albums of popular garba singers shot at famous garba spots are also in high demand.

Garba ringtones add zest to Barodians festive fervour

Youngsters are opting for tunes, wallpapers & batwas for their mobile phones

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA

Friday, September 26, 2008

This Navratri, revellers in the cultural capital of Gujarat will have great savoir-faire. In a way that is tech-enabled. Though the festival is yet to begin, famous garba songs like Tara Vina Shyam…, Chhela Ji Re…, Halaji Tara…, Tara Nam Ni Chundadi..., are already in lavish use as mobile ringtones. And to add to the fervour, wallpapers and caller tunes of your favorite garba pose or song are just a click away. Youngsters in Vadodara feel that garba has its own charm and it gives a traditional feeling when one hears them on mobile phones. In fact, during Navratri, some youngsters also keep changing their garba tunes every day. Kaushal Joshi, a commerce student, said, “I am a big fan of movie songs but during Navratri, no movie song can be as interesting as garbas. The garba songs on my mobile give me a festive feeling. Therefore, I make a point to get latest song as ringtones when the fest is just a few weeks away. This time, my friends will hear Dholi taro dhol vage as my caller tune when they will call me.”Gujarati folk songs Sanedo and Timali are also a rage among youngsters because of its typical Gujarati rust. At the MS University campus, students are be seen exchanging garba ring tones and wall papers. Bhargav Jani, a management student at MSU, said, “The demand for Navratri ring tones and garba wallpapers and screen savers are in full demand this year. Youngster are busy exchanging ring tones with friends when the meet up.” Traditional garba are also ringing as caller tunes. A customer care executive of a mobile service provider company, said, “As the Navratri is approaching, demand for Gujarati garba as ring tones and caller tunes are increasing. Everyday we get numbers of calls asking for popular garba songs and procedure to set it as caller tunes. Our service provides special collection of Gujarati garba as ring tones and caller tones, especially during the festival.”Funky mobile covers called batwa with mirror, bandhani and traditional woolen work which come in attractive style of bangles and work are in huge demand among city girls.Garba reveler Poonam Patel, a collegian, said, “I have bought bandhani mobile covers to go with my chania-cholis.”

Barodians go glam all the way

Barodian girls head for beauty treatments ahead of Navratri

Devanshi Joshi.Vadodara/DNA
Monday, September 22, 2008

An occasion as big as a wedding ceremony most certainly calls for a bridal package for grabbing attention on the D-day. But would you go that far to get a ravishing look for Navratri? Well! Ask Barodian girls - go glam all the way - is the answer theyll have to dish out.Most of them have already started taking beauty treatments for the upcoming festive days. As such, beauty salons in the city are offering an array of hair and skin therapies under their special navratri grooming packages. From highlighting and back polishing to regular beauty treatments like facial, clean-up and heena, the navratri grooming package offers all it takes to acquire that absolutely outstanding look.The package starts with Rs800 and can go as high as Rs5,000 depending on the type of treatment availed and the cosmetics used. “Were already booked with navratri grooming packages since its recommended to start at least two weeks in advance for these sessions. Customers are provided with packages that best suits their skin and hair type and prices also varies accordingly. Apart from the regular beauty treatments, back polishing are also a lot in demand for doing justice to the backless cholis in vogue this navratri”, says Kalpana Jhadav, a beautician at Krelibag.There are special packages that promise to preserve the fresh look throughout navratri. Girls visiting parlors can opt for having a different hair-do, make-up and eye catching tattoos for all the nine nights.Neha Shah, a 22 year old classical dancer and financial management student is one of those enthusiastic Barodians to have started taking beauty sessions at a salon in Alkapuri. She asserts, “Navratri is not just about playing garba but also about having a distinctive style that adds glamour to the festive season. Since a scheduled life makes it impossible to take care of skin and hair at home, I prefer going to the parlor regularly. But this time I came across this special navratri packages which provides full grooming beauty treatments before as well as during the gay nights. With only a few days to go for Navratri, I have already started with these special navratri packages.”Surprisingly, young girls are not the only ones to be heading for these special grooming packages, middle-aged women are also making the most of the offer, says Namita Sharma a beauty salon owner at Alkapuri. Niharika Mehta a 40 year old professional says, “I have been playing garba since my teens and the craze is undying even at 40. One needs to be more conscious after a certain age and if these grooming sessions can help bring the lost charm, why not go for them. It was my daughter who suggested me to give it a try and here we are, making a head-start for navratri”.

Temporary tattoos are in vogue

Tuli Banerjee & Devanshi Joshi.Ahmedabad/Vadodara.DNA

Monday, September 22, 2008

Navratri is a festival when revellers are often laden with jewelleries and other accessories. In the last few years, however, many young people can be seen having temporary tattoos during these nine nights. “My business doubles up during Navratri. These days, I do more that 20 tattoos every day,” says Sonal Patel, a tattooist who is in the business for last 10 years. It is mostly people in the age group of 18-24 who go for tattoos. “In fact, men prefer tattoos over other accessories,” says Sonal who charges Rs250 per tattoo, be it a big or a small tattoo. “Temporary tattoos are also preferred by working women and school-going kids as they are easily removable and save time,” says Raja Solanki, a tattooist at Law Garden. Temporary tattoos are made of fabric paints mixed with a lot of fevicol. At times, glitters are also added to make them look sparkling. “They are easily washable and thus I can have a new tattoo every night that matches the colour of my chaniya choli,” says Reema Shah. In Vadodara, enthusiasts this year are going for coloured shimmer along with tattoos. The girls are also in a mood to experiment with the placing of tattoos on the deep lower part of the back.Sharma, a tattoo artist at Sayajigunj, said, “Tattoos in the lower back project sexuality. A tattoo at the bottom of the spine, just above the buttocks, can look stunning.”Archana Verma, a Navratri lover, says “I like to have a tattoo on the back designed as a flower, a freehand motif or sun. Everyone notice it.” Verma said she either paints them or gets stickers of tattoos now available in plenty at most outlets.”“The charm of the temporary tattoos is that you dont have to worry about needles and other devices. Besides, they are temporary and washable,” said Darshana Shah a tattoo artists at Karelibag.

They fancy rakhis with a dash of astro

Rakhis with astrological gem stones, photos and names engraved are in vogue

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA
Thursday, August 14, 2008

Rakhis tinged with astrology and having a personalised ring around them are in vogue in Vadodara, this year. Women in this city are going for rakhis embedded with real pearls, rudraksha beads attached to gold and silver having astrological significance.Gold or silver-based rakhis are not new but with the changing trend, these are being chosen essentially keeping in mind their planetary worth. This Raksha Bandhan, 'pendant rakhis' with pearls and gem stones fixed on gold or silver are becoming popular. Rakhis with real rudraksh beads are also in demand for its healing effect. Bharat Dave, an astrologer in Vadodara, said, "Usually, we suggest gem stones in ring and chain for astrological effects but rakhis can also have such impact as they are tied on the wrist. Stones fixed on rakhi with proper guidance of astrologer can definitely have influence on the wearer. More and more women are seeking astrological advice for the gem stone which is given on the basis of her brother's astrological details."Smita Rai, a working woman residing at Gotri in Vadodara, has ordered an astrological rakhi for her brother. She said, "Every year, I tie a gold rakhi on my brother's wrist. I came to know about astrological effect of gem stone on a rakhi from one astrologer friend. So I have ordered a rakhi with a ruby stone fixed on gold. I have taken astrologer's guidance for choosing the gem for my brother's success."The cost of 'astrological rakhis' depends on the selection of gem stone and the base of gold and silver. Apart from this, rakhis are also getting a personalized touch with photographs and names engraved on them. Rakhi shops in Vadodara are offering personalized rakhis made on special orders. These rakhis have individual picture of a brother or some picture which showcases the brother-sister bond. Collage of pictures is also becoming popular for photo-rakhis. Online websites are also offering specialized photo-rakhis. Most of the websites and rakhi shop owners have stopped taking new orders for Rakhsha Bandhan to finish the previous orders. Ritesh Jain, a rakhi shop owner at Ghadiali pol in Vadodara, said, "Now we have stopped taking new orders for photo-rakhis as we are already flooded with orders. The cost of photo-rakhi generally starts with Rs300. We get the soft copy of the photograph and put it on

Janmashtami pushes flower demand 3-fold

Sunday, August 24, 2008
Janmashtami pushes flower demand 3-fold
Prices of all types of flowers rise at Vadodara flower market
Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA
Thanks to the Janmanshtami festival, the Vadodara flower market is in full bloom. Demand and prices of almost all types of flowers in the wholesale flower market in Vadodara have seen a sharp rise. In spite of the market being flooded with fresh stock on Saturday, burgeoning demand has catapulted flower prices in the citys flower market. However, vendors are very happy with the high volume of business surging prices, which have almost increased to three times.Prices of most of the flowers which is normally used for puja has increase from 20% to 150%. While rose saw an increase of 150%, Jalbara rose by 75% and prices of other varieties like orchids, Jasmine and Rajanigandha, too, have increased. Jalbara prices also fluctuated sharply when it went up to Rs80 a kg from the Rs50 last week. However, local flowers like paras and desi rose have been left untouched by the rise.“Already, demand for flowers was good owing to the ongoing Shravan month. But Janmashthami festival shoot up the prices to its peak,” said Ajay Yadav, a flower vendor.Hajariya, another flower vendor said, “Different temples in Vadodara has purchased flowers in bulk. Not only in temples, Janmashthami is also being celebrated in societies now which has also pushed up the demand and prices.”