Pathanamthitta: Ayyappa devotees find themselves grappling with a significant price hike on essential pooja items. The products required for the kit ,Irumudikettu, have surged in price, ranging from 10 to 40 percent compared to previous years.
Among the affected items is ghee, to fill “mudra,” which now costs Rs. 720 per liter. Traders report an overall hike in the prices of various pooja essentials, with increases of up to 40 percent compared to the previous year.
Previously budget-friendly items such as Ayyappa Malas, which was at Rs. 10, now come with a higher price tag of Rs. 50. Even items like lockets, once available for Rs. 5 and Rs. 10, have witnessed a surge in cost. The expense of Dhoti has climbed above Rs. 100, while display rates have jumped from Rs. 10 to Rs. 25.
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