Kathmandu, October 27:

With Tihar already in full swing, people are flocking to departmental stores, sweet shops and florists for their shopping despite the fact that shopkeepers have fixed exorbitant prices of commodities used during Tihar.

“A garland that normally costs Rs 50 is being sold at Rs 200. I bought five garlands for Rs 800 from Ason where the rates used to be usually cheaper,” said Manisha Sharma, a shopper.

Sweet shops are seeing a flurry of customers for Laxmi Pooja and bhai tika. “It is customary to serve sweets when people visit your house during Tihar,” said Sangita Agrawal, another shopper. The price of a small packet of mixed dry fruits, which is offered to brothers by sisters on bhai tika, has increased to more than Rs 100 from less than Rs 25.

However, shopkeepers defend the price hike. “This is the main time for us to earn,” said Bharat Shrestha, a shopkeeper.