A newspaper article on a flower mela held in the city caught my eye, during my recent Bangalore visit.The news article chronicled the painting of a gorgeous mural by Bangalore artist Shilo Shiv Suleman in the flower seller market in an effort to reclaim public space and beautify it too. You can catch the article here
Intrigued, I set the alarm for 430 am as the market starts at 2:00 in the morning and winds up by 8:00 am. The flower farmers cut their crops late evening and then set out by 12.00 am for Bangalore from the nearby villages.
It was quite dark when I reached KR market, which is also a treasure trove of wholesale items. I was amazed to see the hustle and bustle at 5.00 am in this market where a veritable smorgasboard of blooms were setup aesthetically on every pavement, side street and junction the eye could see.
I was mesmerized by the mile long strands of flowers; some of individual blooms and some combined in stupendous colour combinations – all coiled into neat circular arrangements. There were marigold, daisies, small chrysanthemums, mogra, chandni, roses. lotus, Paan leaves and some flowers I couldn’t name.
I just couldn’t stop clicking the floral displays, much to the amusement of some of the sellers who grinned and posed at me too. The flower sellers were very used to photographers as it’s quite popular with many enthusiasts and clubs.
There was a deity in the market that was decked beautifully – perhaps to appease for positive sales. I loved the hand painted armoires built-in to house the temple. I wish I had been able to converse with someone about its history.
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Someone pointed me to another section of the market where loose flowers are sold by the kilo for worshipping, decorations and making garlands for hair. Oh and there were some intricately woven garlands for the bride and groom too.
The clock tower of the inner square of this market is where the stunning mural graced the wall, paying a gorgeous tribute to the flower market. The entire markets wafts in an exotic floral perfume which actually made me sneeze a lot 😉
Sadly I missed out on finding the cut flower section of this whole sale market as I had looked forward to buying some exotic blooms for the house. Maybe next time……..
“A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it.”– Dogen
Doesnt the sight of flowers uplift your spirits? What do you think of this market?
Fact File:
- KR market is the largest whole market of Bangalore and is located in Kalasipayla area.
- It’s reputed to be one of the largest flower markets in Asia.
- The photographer in me was pleased though by no means sated, and I intend to return here with my DSLR next time around. (All these pics are taken on a Samsung J7)
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A trained Interior designer who loves to travel, photograph and write, I have done some boutique stays in limited budgets and some in extravagant ones too. I specialize in using locally sourced/ made products which would provide support to the local community.I am also an advocate of using sustainable practices in housekeeping, laundry,etc which lessens the use of harmful chemicals. The water used for such chores is clean enough to be fed into the garden directly.
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⇐ Check out the flower market at Dadar in Mumbai ⇒
These are gorgeous–and fragrant, I suspect. We have one in downtown Los Angeles, California. I always wonder how they keep the flowers so fresh.
Thanks Jacqui. Yeah I wondered that too as the flowers perish very fast and one day will look wilted.
Wow I most certainly missed visiting this place during my stay in Blore. So much hard work must have gone in making garlands of different patterns. Beautiful!!
I also marvelled at the color combos and the labour that goes into making them Raj
Amazing display of flowers… And such vibrant colors. It is such a treat to see this in the morning!!
Thanks Bhavya. Yeah they were a real treat for the eyes.
I love the early morning sight of K R Market. I usually return from hometown early in the morning n this place is on the way to my PG from majestic. I look forward to seeing the beautiful flowers there. But I hate K R Market in the evenings. So much traffic 😛
Yeah the sight was stunning for me! I hope to go there again on my next visit to bangalore!
HEy memories of my city bangalore.. Awesome.. I also remember visting Shivaji market and russel market with my mom as a kid to get flowers. It used to be a colourful delight, especially before a festival.
Thanks Ramya – yeah some amazing stuff in these markets 🙂
Such vibrant colors! And they look so fresh!
too bad you missed the cut flower section. I was waiting for pics from that! 🙁
I once attended a flower exhibition in Bangalore. It was just amazing! Such exotic flowers… some of them I’d never seen in my life!
Happy AtoZing!
Chicky @ http://www.mysteriouskaddu.com
Thanks Kaddu – I wonder if you are talking about the show at Lal Bagh Bangalore? That sure is an awesome sight too!
I love the phool madi at Delhi’s Hanuman Mandir too! Sadly its now shifted to the outskirts of the city and I havent mustered the guts to travel there.
Wow! Love your passion and zeal to visit this large market so early in the morning. Simply cool!! And those are some amazing and colourful pics, as always!
Thanks Shilpa- I love doing such things when I am travelling. 🙂
Have been to Bangalore before but never to this place…. Must visit next time…. The mural is nice but cant seem to match the natural beauty of the Flowers and the people selling them
jaishwrites – F for??? (flashfiction)
I loved the mural for the emotions it expressed. I hope you do get to visit here for sure!
Wow! These pics are a riot! My personal favorites are the ones with the orange flowers. We call them Kanakamaram flowers in Telugu. You should go back with your DSLR and share the pics again.
Ah thank you for naming them! They are such a tongue twister and I had a tough time with the accent too – so didnt really understand their name! They are so so gorgeous and I loved them too.
DSLR n me will be back there again!! 🙂
What a lovely thing to do – set out early morning for the flower market. Tons and tons of marigolds. Super
thanks Kalpanaa – I loved the heavenly smell of the marigolds
Wow, a lovely flower market at 2a.m…I had no idea about it, glad you enjoyed the rare opportunity buddy. Would love to visit sometime 🙂
Thanks Roma- its really quite a stunning experience!
Can you believe I have been in Bangalore for 11 years and never got a chance to visit this place? Reading your post and looking at those gorgeous pictures makes me think how much I have missed. :/
fabulous experience it must have been.
Its an experience alright and I intend to re-visit with my DSLR – I was itching for it but hadnt carried it with me on this trip! You must visit if you do get the chance or maybe when I am next there, we will go together! 😉
I’ve never seen so much flowers at a single place. They are so fresh and vibrant
Thanks for sharing
Dr bushra
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Yeah they were a tremendous sight Bushra! Glad you enjoyed reading this! 😉
Fabulous F indeed. Thank you for this floral feast. I’ve been to Bangalore a couple of times to visit friends. This flower market is certainly going on my list for the next trip.
Thanks so much Arti – this feels terrific to hear! Hope you have a fabulous visit there
Cheers
Don’t tell me you went there at 5am? I can never do that! Especially, when I’m on a holiday!
And you’re really well traveled! It’s all reflected in your posts, Shalz!
Cheers
Ha ha ha!!! I am one crazy shutterbug for sure Geets – its a big time passion! I just love photography and it helps that I am a morning person.
Thanks for your kind words Geets – I am hoping my posts are making sense!!! 😉
I love flowers and also love visiting wet markets. Our Mumbai flower market in Dadar is a mess but has the most amazing flowers
Oh I loved the Dadar market when I had once crossed it and made a note to come with the camera. Still pending
Flowers are a balm to the soul, a whiff of fragrant goodness can elevate the soul to another level. Flowers are our comrades in love, happiness, sickness, hurt and despair. Thank god for these precious blessings from nature.
That’s one fun trip to the flower mandi.
Natasha
natashamusing
Travel Epiphanies:
Gobsmacked in Glorious Goa
Yes thanks god for them Natzee. I love going to phool Mandis 🙂
Wow, those are very different arrangements than what I’m used to. Sorry for the stupid question but where do you put those flower garlands?
These arrangements are vjust stupendous Andi. The garlands have loads of use- for worship in temples, wedding venues are decorated with them and even our homes are for festive occasion. 🙂
I love flowers, and the sight of so many is a joy! I have visited d flower markets in Delhi… And i love d hustle bustle and beauty of them. Its good to read and know about the one in bangalore too.
Yeah the Delhi phool mandi used to be amazing. I was heartbroken when it moved away….
These are gorgeous- the garlands look mesmerizing! and 4.30 is quite early! 🙂
I am quite a photo buff and used to going early mornings for the shoots Shalzz 🙂
that flower market is certainly a visual treat! I hope to visit Bangalore someday!
It sure is Zainab…. I hope you get to visit Bangalore soon 🙂
Oh this is beautiful…can’t believe it commences at 2 a.m.! I’m not big on those flowers usually but your pictures make them look really beautiful 🙂
Thanks Sanchi… yeah flower markets start early mornings as flowers are cut late in the evening 🙂
The pictures are so evocative, lovely post.
Thanks so much Pooja 🙂
Looking at tubs and gunnybag-fulls of flowers is really appeasing! It’s weird that a market opens at 2 am! But that’s the amount of trouble people would take, just to buy fresh flowers!
WOW!! that’s such a new way of looking at Banglore, never heard of this market. … it just made me humm…sasural gendafool…..:)