CHENNAI: On the eve of Pongal (Wednesday), the Koyambedu market complex witnessed an overwhelming influx of shoppers, with dense crowds thronging the special market set up for the festival.

Families and retail traders began arriving from the early hours to purchase sugarcane, turmeric stalks, ginger bunches and other essentials used for traditional Pongal rituals.

From the early hours on Tuesday, hundreds of residents and retail traders thronged the special market to purchase sugarcane bundles, turmeric stalks, ginger bunches, festoons and other Pongal essentials. With brisk sales throughout the day, traders running shops at the special market expressed satisfaction.

More than 250 lorries carrying sugarcane bundles arrived from Madurai, Tiruchy, Villupuram and Cuddalore. Turmeric stalks were brought in over 150 vehicles from various parts of Tiruvallur, Cuddalore and Perambalur.

Ginger bunches arrived in 30 vehicles from Andhra Pradesh, Kumbakonam and Thanjavur, while over 30 vehicles carried yellow plantain bunches from Andhra Pradesh, Thoothukudi and Tiruchy. Coconut consignments were transported from Pattukottai, Pollachi, Puducherry and Gudiyatham.

A bundle of 15 sugarcane stalks was sold at Rs 400-600, a bundle of 10 turmeric stalks was around Rs 80, ginger bunches at Rs 120, yellow plantain bunches at Rs 250-500 depending on variety, and coconuts at Rs60/kg.

Flower prices surged due to festival demand. Jasmine was sold at Rs 5,000 per kg, mullai at Rs 2,000, jaathi at Rs 1,500, kanakambaram at Rs 1,000, sampangi at Rs 500, chocolate rose at Rs 200, paneer rose at Rs 160, and chrysanthemum and oleander at Rs 120.

Vegetables such as avarakkai, sweet potato and seppankizhangu (taro) were also in demand. Sweet potato was sold at Rs 50 per kg, avarakkai at Rs 60 and taro at Rs 100.

Traffic police were deployed in large numbers to regulate traffic.

The Koyambedu wholesale vegetable market will remain closed on January 17, while the flower and fruit markets will function.