Flowers came from Hapur to decorate Ayodhya
Hapur. Flower farmer Teg Singh from Hapur has been entrusted by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to deliver 10 tonnes of mixed flowers to the temple for the function. The flowers will be used in the decoration of the temple and the city. Singh is a flower farmer from Tigri village of Simbhaoli village of Hapur. “Our family has been cultivating flowers for 35 years, but we have never felt such happiness and pride before. Our dream is going to be fulfilled after 500 years and Lord Ram will be present in the temple.”
Singh said the Ayodhya consignment included diverse flowers like guldavari, tuberose, gypsophila, marigold, orchid, bird-of-paradise and roses. He said that every day at least one or two trucks filled with different types of flowers are being sent to Ayodhya. “Many of these flowers, including orchids, live for 20-22 days,” Singh said. We will keep sending flowers as long as they keep asking.” His brother Shraddhanand said: “Out of 10 tonnes, 100 boxes are of Promethium, 50 to 60 boxes are of Orchids, Bird-of-Paradise and 20 to 25 boxes are of Anthurium. Calcutta marigold is also part of this group, which is used for cords and garlands.” Hapur district of UP is known for the production of various types of flowers.
Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) vice-chairman Vishal Singh said, “This initiative will also provide employment opportunities to women associated with self-help groups. “After Pran Pratishtha, we are expecting at least nine tonnes of flower waste to be recycled every day from all the temples in Ayodhya, which is a significant increase from the current 2.3 tonnes.” He said that under the new system, flowers will be collected from every temple and converted into certified natural incense sticks. He said that after the inauguration of Ram temple on January 22, about 22 lakh devotees are expected to come to Ayodhya every day. Flowers from the district reach markets in Ghazipur, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Mizoram, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and even abroad.
