Kojagori Laxmi Puja 2026: Fruits, vegetables prices surge in Bengal markets
Synopsis
Kojagori Laxmi Puja comes with a steep price tag this year — paddy ears have more than doubled to ₹5 a piece, brinjal has jumped from ₹60 to ₹100 per kg, and pomegranate is selling at ₹250 per kg across West Bengal markets. With families forced to scale back rituals, the festive season is shining an uncomfortable spotlight on persistent food inflation.
Key Takeaways
Kojagori Laxmi Puja falls on Sunday, 26 October 2026 , with price hikes reported across West Bengal markets.
Dhaner Shish (paddy ears) have more than doubled from ₹1–₹2 to ₹5 per piece this year.
Brinjal has risen from ₹60 to ₹100 per kg ; green chillies are at ₹120 per kg .
Pomegranate is the costliest fruit at ₹250 per kg ; premium apples and grapes are at ₹200 per kg .
Potato is the only staple holding steady at ₹15 per kg .
Many middle-class families in West Bengal are reportedly curtailing puja rituals due to the steep price rise.
Ahead of Kojagori Laxmi Puja on Sunday, 26 October 2026, prices of fruits, vegetables, and puja essentials have surged sharply across West Bengal retail markets, putting significant financial pressure on middle-class households and compelling many families to scale back their festivities. The price spike has been recorded not just in Kolkata but in district markets across the state.
Puja Essentials See Steep Hikes
Among the most critical offerings for the Goddess of Wealth during Kojagori Laxmi Puja, Dhaner Shish (paddy ears) have seen a dramatic price jump. A single piece, which cost between ₹1 and ₹2 last year, has reportedly risen to ₹5 this year — a more than doubling in price. A five-gram packet of grain, another key ritual ingredient, has similarly nearly doubled to ₹20. A piece of Chadmala — the sacred decorative offering central to the puja — is now priced at ₹25, considered exorbitant by many devotees.
Vegetable Prices Hit Bhog Preparations Hard
Vegetables used in the traditional bhog prepared during the puja have also seen sharp cost increases. Parwal is currently selling at ₹80 per kg, while a single head of cauliflower costs between ₹70 and ₹80. The price of brinjal has climbed from ₹60 to ₹100 per kg. Cabbage is being sold between ₹40 and ₹50 per kg, and tomatoes at ₹30 per kg. Green chillies are particularly expensive at ₹120 per kg. The sole exception is potato, which remains stable at ₹15 per kg.
Fruit Offerings Among the Priciest Items
Fruits, which form a centrepiece of Laxmi Puja ritual offerings, are commanding premium rates this season. Premium varieties of apples and grapes are each selling at ₹200 per kg. A pair of premium bananas required for the puja rituals is priced at ₹20. Pomegranate is among the costliest, selling at ₹250 per kg. A medium-quality orange costs ₹15 per piece, a pineapple is selling at ₹80, and custard apple is priced at ₹200 per kg.
Impact on Families and the Festive Mood
The cumulative effect of higher prices across multiple categories has forced many families in West Bengal to curtail rituals or opt for fewer offerings. This comes amid a broader pattern of elevated food prices across India in the run-up to the festive season, with vegetable inflation remaining a persistent concern in several states. Middle-class households, who typically celebrate Kojagori Laxmi Puja with elaborate bhog and offerings, are reportedly bearing the brunt of the price surge. As the puja approaches, market observers and traders expect the elevated price levels to persist through the weekend before gradually easing in the days after the festival.
Point of View
Where pre-festival demand surges are reliably exploited without adequate supply-side buffering. West Bengal's district markets showing the same trends as Kolkata suggests this is a state-wide failure of procurement and distribution, not merely a Kolkata retail issue. The fact that potato — a regulated staple with a robust cold storage network — holds at ₹15 while unregulated items like brinjal and green chillies soar points to where market intervention works and where it doesn't. Families scaling back religious rituals because of unaffordable vegetables is a social cost that seldom features in inflation data but is deeply felt at the household level.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Kojagori Laxmi Puja 2026?
Kojagori Laxmi Puja in 2026 falls on Sunday, 26 October. It is a major Hindu festival in West Bengal celebrating the Goddess of Wealth, observed with elaborate offerings of fruits, vegetables, and ritual items.
How much have vegetable prices risen ahead of Laxmi Puja in West Bengal?
Vegetable prices have risen sharply across West Bengal markets. Brinjal has climbed from ₹60 to ₹100 per kg, green chillies are selling at ₹120 per kg, parwal at ₹80 per kg, and cauliflower at ₹70–₹80 per piece. Potato is the only exception, remaining stable at ₹15 per kg.
What are the prices of fruits for Laxmi Puja offerings this year?
Premium apples and grapes are each priced at ₹200 per kg, pomegranate at ₹250 per kg, custard apple at ₹200 per kg, pineapple at ₹80 per piece, and a pair of premium bananas at ₹20. A medium-quality orange costs ₹15 per piece.
Why have puja essentials like Dhaner Shish and Chadmala become more expensive?
Dhaner Shish (paddy ears), a key Laxmi Puja offering, has more than doubled in price from ₹1–₹2 to ₹5 per piece this year, while a five-gram grain packet has risen to ₹20 and a Chadmala now costs ₹25. The hike is attributed to higher seasonal demand ahead of the festival, though specific supply-side causes have not been officially detailed.
How are West Bengal families responding to the price surge?
Many middle-class households across West Bengal, including in Kolkata and district markets, have reportedly been forced to curtail puja rituals and scale back offerings due to the steep rise in prices of fruits, vegetables, and ceremonial items. The financial pressure is particularly acute for families who traditionally celebrate the festival with elaborate bhog and offerings.
