In yet another bizarre tomato-related incident, an Indian girl has donated her weight in tomatoes to a temple in the Anakapalli district of India's Andhra Pradesh state.
Malla Jagga Apparao and Mohini held a Tulabharam ceremony for their daughter Bhavishya and used 51 kgs of tomatoes, sugar, and jaggery to donate to Goddess Nukalamma. Tulabharam is an ancient Hindu practice where a person is weighed equally against a commodity, such as gold, grain, fruits, and others, that is offered as a donation to the temple.
The ‘Tomato Tulabharam' left devotees who had come to worship the Goddess at the temple amused.
According to the media reports, tomato prices are expected to reach INR 150 ($1.83) - INR 200 ($2.44) per kg in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh by the end of July.
Across India, tomato prices have skyrocketed of late following rains-induced shortages, which have been especially felt in the capital Delhi.