Milind Flower Stall

Milind Flower Stall has been sitting right opposite the Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi for quite some time now. Being near the temple means we see a lot of people every single day, especially on Tuesdays when the crowds get really big. We start our day very early, long before the sun is even up, to get the fresh flowers from the market. The stall is usually covered in marigolds, roses, and all sorts of petals that we string together into garlands. It gets quite messy with water and stems all over the floor, but that’s just how a flower business is. We don't have a cooling system or a big shop, just our small spot on the street where we sit and work with our hands. My family helps out because there is always too much to do for one person. We make the garlands by hand, one by one, and it takes a lot of patience to get them looking right. People stop by on their way to pray, often in a hurry, so we have to be quick with the change. The smell of the jasmine and roses is something you get used to after a while, though visitors always mention it. It’s a simple life, tied to the temple’s rhythm and the seasons of the flowers. We don't do fancy bouquets, just the traditional stuff people need for their rituals and offerings. Most days we are just sitting on our stools, chatting with the other vendors.