Lotus farmers and sellers have reported a surge in demand for lotus as Vesak Day is approaching.
Lotus growers are in their haste to pick their flowers to meet the soaring demand for lotus among Buddhist worshippers and temples for use in religious rites on Vesak Day. The aquatic flower is widely used on most occasions among Buddhists, as it represents purification and enlightenment in Buddhist culture.
BUNGKAN, 31 May 2015 – Lotus farmers and sellers have reported a surge in demand for lotus as Vesak Day is approaching.
Lotus growers are in their haste to pick their flowers to meet the soaring demand for lotus among Buddhist worshippers and temples for use in religious rites on Vesak Day. The aquatic flower is widely used on most occasions among Buddhists, as it represents purification and enlightenment in Buddhist culture.
Now that Vesak Day – one of the most important religious days – falls on tomorrow, the demand for lotus flowers is unavoidably skyrocketing. One of the lotus growers in the northeastern province of Bungkan said his weekly supply, which normally ranged between 500 and 800 flowers, jumped dramatically to 2,000 on Vesak Day.
The overwhelming orders forced farmers to hire extra workers from nearby areas to help filling orders, pushing up lotus prices accordingly. A lotus flower, which normally sells for one baht, now fetches three baht apiece. The situation is expected to return to normal after the end of Vesak Day festival.
