UP: Aparajita, orchids to deck up Ram temple town

AYODHYA: Divine blue aparajita or Vishnukanta flowers, especially grown in rural parts of Bengaluru, have been imported for the much-awaited Ram temple 'bhoomi pujan' on August 5.
Double-toned marigolds in orange and red are on their way from Kolkata, while importers in New Delhi have sourced 120kg orchid flowers from Thailand. That’s not all, 600kg red and pink roses, 240kg gerbera and about 300kg carnations have also been ordered to adorn the temple town.
“Different kinds of flowers are being used to decorate the city. In all, nearly 400 quintals of flowers are being brought for the mega 'bhoomi pujan'. Ayodhya will look like a new bride for the revered ceremony,” said Prem Nath aka Pintu Manji, who is overseeing flower decor on the 'bhoomi pujan' site and the makeshift Ramlalla temple.
Pintu said flowers will also be used for rangoli being made at 50 spots in the city. Students from Ram Manohar Lohia Faizabad University will be making these designs. “Aparajita flowers are being transported especially from Bengaluru to give the blue shade to rangolis,” he said.
Another flower decorator has been engaged to deck up the stretch between Saket PG College, where the PM will land, to the Nayaghat area. “We have ordered 300 quintals of marigold flowers for the purpose,” said a manager, adding that the unloading of flowers will begin from the wee hours of Monday.