Tihar nears: marigolds in bloom, Tanahun women aim to sell flowers worth 10 lakh rupees

As Tihar approaches, women in Aandhimool Yanchowk, Aanbukhaireni Rural Municipality-1, Tanahun, have set a target of selling marigold flowers worth about 1 million rupees. The women, who have been farming commercially as a group, sold flowers worth nearly 900,000 rupees last year.

They are currently busy picking flowers, preparing them for sale and storing them. The farming began three years ago and has now spread across about 45 ropani, involving 45 women.

According to group chair Suntali Gurung, the picked flowers are kept in a cold storage facility to stay fresh until they are sold. She said the farming has become not just a source of income but also an opportunity for economic self-reliance.

As production and the area under cultivation have grown, demand from the market has also increased. The local produce has helped reduce dependence on flowers brought in from outside.

Meanwhile, in Kathmandu Valley too, marigolds have bloomed abundantly in various places as the weather has cleared. The yellow and orange flowers are used for decorating homes, making garlands and worship during Tihar. The mountain ranges are also becoming visible more clearly from the valley.