Business blooming again in Little India

Flower power: Gunathan making garlands at his stall in Pitt Street, George Town.

GEORGE TOWN: After being in the doldrums for almost two years, business for traditional florists in Little India here are blooming, with Hindu and Christian marriage rites now allowed in temples and churches.

GR Florist’s P. Gunathan, 45, said he had already received orders for six wedding garlands and expects orders for another 10 to 15 garlands this month.

“This will enable us to get back on our feet after nearly two years.

“Wedding garlands cost RM600 to RM1,000. All this time, since the movement restriction, we have been surviving on making small garlands for temples and homes.

“We’re aware that many temples have been booked for weddings until the end of this year. We expect to bank on this as it will go a long way in reviving our business,” said Gunathan.

Another florist, B. Jaiganth, 45, said he was glad that Hindu weddings were now allowed.

“This will really help boost our business as wedding garlands can fetch up to RM1,000.

“I already have three orders for wedding garlands costing RM500 to RM700 each.

“The ongoing nine-day Navarathiri festival prayers are also bringing in business as temples and households require small garlands.

“However, compared to wedding garlands, the smaller garlands are barely enough to cover our cost,” he said.

October, said Jaiganth, was an auspicious month for weddings, adding that he expects orders for at least five wedding garlands each week.

A check at the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple in Waterfall Road, a much sought-after venue for traditional weddings, shows that there are 30 weddings booked until year-end.

Poovadi Florist owner K. Govindraj, 30, said he had received queries for 10 wedding garlands so far, costing between RM800 and RM1,000 each.

“I have been getting orders for about 10 small garlands daily, costing between RM30 and RM50 each, which is just enough to cover our cost and make a slight profit.

“I order ready-made wedding garlands from India if the customer is willing to pay a higher price, which is usually around RM1,000.

“But most of the time, the flowers are sourced locally for the garlands and currently, I am busy with orders that I have received for small garlands for the Navarathiri festival,” he added.