Come Ayudha Pooja during Dasara, there is a heavy demand for Ash Gourd. It is used to ward off ‘evil eyes’ as part of the Ayudha Pooja celebrations. It is also a symbol of ‘sacrifice’ to the Gods. Hence breaking of Ash Gourd is an essential element of Ayudha Pooja. Hence farmers are flooding the market with as much Ash Gourds as they can manage to get. In fact since a week, Ash Gourds are on sale in the City fetching between Rs 60 to Rs 150, reported Kannada Prabha.
Last year drought had turned a curse for farmers but this year good rains have resulted in bumper crop of Ash Gourds. Said Dr Vishwanath, MD, Hopcoms, farmers around Bengaluru in Kolara, Hosakote, Magadi and Nelamagala grow Ash Gourds. This year the yield is very good to the extent of 120 percent. In Hopcoms on normal days 3 to 4 tonnes of Ash Gourds are purchased and during Dasara 8 to 10 tonnes are purchased.
K R market, Gandhi bazar, Jayanagara, Malleshwara, Mysuru Road, Madiwala and Hebbala and other places Ash Gourds are seen in big heaps along the roads and in shops. Last year the Ash Gourd was sold at Rs 15 to Rs 30 per kilo. This year depending on size and quality they are priced at Rs 60 to Rs 150.