Women take charge of festival organisation, management at this Kerala temple

Thiruvalla: In a historic shift, women are leading the organisation and management of this year’s festival at the Porunnanarkkavu Devi Temple in Manipuzha, Thiruvalla. For the first time, the festival committee is entirely led by women, challenging traditional gender roles and empowering women to take charge of all key responsibilities.

Traditionally, women have often been relegated to behind-the-scenes tasks like dishwashing and flower arrangements during festivals. However, the Porunnanarkkavu Devi Temple festival committee is rewriting that narrative. The festival’s patron, president, general convener, and joint convener are all women, marking a crucial milestone for gender equality in festival management.

Women take responsibility for festival management

Women are overseeing all aspects of the festival, from collecting donations to obtaining police permission for loudspeakers, booking puja and managing cultural programmes. The women-led committee is also ensuring that every stage of the festival, including logistics and finances, is handled with expertise.

The committee members do not rely on others for transportation, as one among the major organisers is a capable driver. This independence has allowed them to work in two groups for various tasks, including collecting donations from households. The women juggle these responsibilities with their daily work, with some groups going out in the afternoon and others in the evening to carry out their duties. Women with jobs outside the home join after their shifts to help with the tasks. Although the women are in charge, there is support from men in the community.

Devaswom Secretary Adv S Anilkumar noted that this year’s festival committee structure marks a step forward, especially in light of the 100th anniversary of the organisation. According to him, the local RSS leadership had recommended that women hold all key positions in the festival committee.