Matribhumi Samachar English
Across the vast landscape of Bharat, a silent revolution is unfolding within the hallowed walls of its most sacred spaces. Traditionally viewed as centres of faith and ritual, these spiritual institutions have evolved into dynamic engines of social and economic transformation. Between 2006 and 2026, a series of visionary initiatives has harnessed the temple economy to uplift thousands of women. By turning ritual waste into wealth and tradition into sustainable livelihoods, these centres of worship are proving that the path to divinity also leads to dignity, self-reliance, and the holistic empowerment of the modern woman.
This transformation is not only securing the economic future of thousands of women but is also elevating their social standing, proving that ancient traditions can pave the way for a modern, inclusive, and empowered society.”
This report highlights the significant role of temples across India between 2006 and 2026, during which 20 key initiatives created employment for women, empowering them economically and socially.
Women’s Empowerment and Economic Independence at Somnath Mandir
The Shri Somnath Trust has pioneered a transformative movement for women in Gujarat, integrating faith with financial self-reliance. As of January 2026, 363 women are actively employed in diverse roles, ranging from Prasad distribution and administrative management to maintaining the sacred Bilva Van and operating the mandir’s massive kitchen facilities. These women collectively earn approximately Rs 9 crore annually, demonstrating a sustainable model of dignified livelihoods. This initiative has successfully turned one of India’s most revered spiritual centres into a beacon of social responsibility and gender equality.
Transforming Temple Floral Waste into Sustainable Livelihoods in Varanasi
In a remarkable environmental and social initiative launched in Varanasi, floral waste is being converted into a source of income for more than 200 women. Led by entrepreneur Komal Singh, approximately 700 kilograms of used flowers and garlands are collected daily from 70 major temples, including Kal Bhairav and Durga. These women process the floral waste to manufacture incense sticks, beauty products, organic fertilisers, and holy powders. This circular-economy project has provided a steady stream of income for economically marginalised rural women, enabling them to achieve financial independence through eco-friendly entrepreneurship.
Historic Inclusion of Female Volunteers in the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Sanctum
A significant administrative shift has occurred at the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and Mamleshwar temples in Madhya Pradesh, in which women have been entrusted with managing the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). To ensure a more disciplined and sensitive environment for devotees, the administration replaced traditional security measures with female volunteers trained specifically for this role. These women undergo rigorous human resources and behavioural training to handle large crowds with patience and dignity. This historic decision highlights the growing role of women in managing high-profile religious administration and improving the overall experience for pilgrims.
Eco-Friendly Innovation and Employment in Amritsar through Pushpa Punya
The ‘Pushpa Punya’ initiative in Amritsar, supported by FICCI FLO, has successfully bridged the gap between environmental conservation and women’s employment. In the village of Jethunangal, 70 women are employed to collect and process floral waste from five major city temples. These women are trained in scientific waste management techniques to transform dried flowers into eco-friendly incense cones and other ritual products. By providing both skill development and a regular paycheck, this project has empowered local women to lead sustainable development and secure their financial futures.
The Bangle Industry of Kaila Devi Temple as a Pillar of the Local Economy
At the Kaila Devi Temple in Karauli, Rajasthan, the tradition of offering green and red bangles as a mark of the Goddess’s blessing has evolved into a significant source of employment. This sacred practice supports the livelihoods of more than 5,000 individuals, including many women artisans and vendors. Artisans from various districts across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh converge here to provide bangles to thousands of pilgrims daily. This ecosystem ensures that a simple act of devotion continues to provide consistent economic stability and traditional employment for thousands of families within the temple’s vicinity.
Scientific Flower Waste Management and Livelihood at Mahakaleshwar Temple
Under the Green Temple Movement, the world-renowned Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain has implemented a scientific and eco-friendly system for managing daily floral waste through specialised ‘Pushpanjali Econurmit’ vehicles. This initiative has provided steady employment to 16 women from the Shiv Arpan Self-Help Group, who transform temple flowers into high-quality ritual products. These women earn a respectful monthly income of approximately Rs 10,000, thereby fostering financial independence. According to the Ujjain Smart City Report 2022, the project has successfully processed 2,200 tonnes of floral waste, yielding more than 30 million incense sticks.
Sustainable Transformation and Zero-Carbon Initiatives at Tirupati Temple
In Tirupati, the Municipal Corporation collects more than 6 tons of floral waste daily from the Tirumala Temple and recycles it into value-added products. This initiative supports 150 women from various Self-Help Groups (SHGs) who work at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams incense manufacturing plant. Beyond providing dignified employment and a regular income, the project is distinguished by its environmental consciousness. The products are packaged in recyclable and plantable paper embedded with Tulsi seeds, thereby ensuring a zero-carbon footprint while empowering local women to achieve self-reliance.
Tradition and Economic Empowerment through GI-Tagged Products in Tripura
Women in Tripura have become the backbone of the traditional ‘Matabari Peda’ production at the Tripureswari Temple by organising into Self-Help Groups. These women manage high-quality milk production, which is essential for crafting these iconic offerings. The significance of their work is further highlighted by the fact that Matabari Peda and Rignai products have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags, ensuring market exclusivity and recognition. Through this initiative, rural women are not only preserving ancient religious traditions but are also securing consistent employment and economic stability for their families.
Scaling Impact: Empowerment of 3,000 Women across Delhi-NCR Temples
Entrepreneur Poonam Singh has turned environmental sustainability into a massive employment opportunity by partnering with 15 major temples across Delhi-NCR through her venture, Aaruhee Enterprises. Every day, the initiative recycles 1,000 kilograms of floral waste collected from various religious sites. This large-scale operation has provided training and livelihoods to more than 3,000 women, who now produce incense sticks, lamps, and other prayer items. By bridging the gap between waste management and social welfare, this project has set a benchmark for women’s empowerment in urban and semi-urban landscapes.
Sangeeta Pandey’s Entrepreneurial Initiative for the Ram Temple Inauguration
On the historic occasion of the Pran Pratishtha at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Gorakhpur-based entrepreneur Sangeeta Pandey undertook a massive project to prepare 5,100 special Prasad boxes for the invited guests. By organising local women into self-help groups, she provided hundreds of women the opportunity to earn a dignified income by working from their homes. This initiative has not only contributed to a sacred national event but has also scaled Sangeeta’s annual business turnover to over ₹3 crore, demonstrating how religious milestones can drive large-scale female entrepreneurship and financial independence in Uttar Pradesh.
The ‘Juhar’ Brand: Empowering Women through Floral Recycling at Samleswari Temple
At the Samleswari Temple in Sambalpur, a unique initiative has turned discarded floral offerings into a source of pride and profit under the brand name ‘Juhar.’ Following specialised training provided by the Municipal Corporation, a local Self-Help Group (SHG) has assumed responsibility for the scientific management of temple waste. The women spend several hours per day drying, grinding, and processing flowers to produce high-quality incense sticks and organic perfumes. By converting ritual waste into marketable products, these women have secured a regular source of income and professional training, effectively bridging the gap between environmental sustainability and social empowerment.
Livelihood Opportunities through 3D Ram Temple Models in Barabanki
The architectural grandeur of the newly constructed Ram Temple has become a primary source of employment for women and girls in Rajouli village, Barabanki. These artisans specialise in assembling intricate three-dimensional models of the temple, manufactured from Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF). Utilising advanced laser-cutting technology, the women work in teams to assemble multi-storey structures, earning a fixed rate for each piece completed. This initiative enables women to utilise their technical and assembly skills from the comfort of their homes, providing a steady stream of income driven by high demand for religious memorabilia.
Artistic Innovation and Sustainable Fashion at Naina Devi Temple
In Nainital, the floral offerings at the Shri Naina Devi Temple are being reimagined as sustainable art and fashion through the efforts of the Cheli Arts organisation. Founded by Dr Kiran Tiwari, this project employs local Himalayan women to create attractive designs on fabrics using petals and leaves collected from the temple and nearby shrines. These women produce organic dyes, kumkum, and incense, as well as hand-designed sarees, stoles, and handkerchiefs. By blending traditional Himalayan culture with creative recycling, the initiative has provided 10 women with consistent employment while promoting eco-friendly, natural products to tourists and devotees.
Breaking Gender Barriers: Historic Appointment of Female Odhuvars in Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Department has taken a landmark step toward gender equality by appointing five new female Odhuvars, bringing the total number in the state to ten. These women, who have completed three years of rigorous traditional training in devotional hymns and Thevaram chants, now serve in roles that were historically dominated by men. During their training, they received monthly stipends to support their education in sacred music. This historic inclusion not only empowers women spiritually and professionally but also signals a progressive shift in the traditional management of South Indian temple rituals.
Securing Heritage: 200 Women Leading Security at Mahakal Lok
The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) has transformed the security landscape of the state’s major religious sites, including the Mahakaleshwar Temple and Mahakal Lok, by deploying 200 trained female security guards. After completing an intensive two-month training programme, these women have been stationed at prominent locations such as Maihar and Chitrakoot, earning a regular monthly salary of approximately Rs 10,000. This initiative has significantly enhanced the safety and comfort of female tourists, leading to a visible increase in women travellers visiting these historic sites, while simultaneously providing the guards with financial self-reliance and professional authority.
Nutritional Innovation and Empowerment through Shri Anna Prasad at Kashi Vishwanath
In alignment with the Central Government’s initiative to promote millets, the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) has engaged women’s self-help groups to prepare ‘Shri Anna Prasadam’ for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. This nutritious offering is crafted using millet, jaggery, sesame, cashews, almonds, pure ghee, and khoya, providing a healthy alternative to traditional sweets. By managing the production and packaging of these millet-based ladoos, local women have integrated spiritual service with modern nutritional trends, securing a sustainable livelihood that celebrates both heritage and health.
The ‘Gorakhnath Ashirwad’ Initiative: Transforming Ritual Waste into Fragrance
The Mahayogi Gorakhnath Krishi Vigyan Kendra, in technical collaboration with CSIR-CIMAP Lucknow, launched a significant project to recycle floral waste from the Gorakhnath Temple into aromatic products. Under the brand ‘Shri Gorakhnath Ashirwad,’ women from various self-help groups have been trained to manufacture high-quality incense sticks and perfumes from discarded temple flowers. This initiative, launched by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, enables women to earn a dignified income while working from home, thereby turning environmental waste into a source of economic stability and spiritual fragrance.
Sustainable Fashion and Khadi Dyeing at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya
At the intersection of faith and sustainable fashion, floral waste and fallen leaves from the sacred Bodh Gaya temple and the Mahabodhi tree are being converted into natural dyes for Khadi textiles. Spearheaded by entrepreneur Praveen Chauhan, this project employs local women to sort, dry, and boil temple flowers to extract eco-friendly pigments. These natural colours are then applied to Khadi fabric using traditional mordanting techniques. This initiative has not only provided women in Gaya with a consistent income but has also positioned the holy site as a pioneer in environmental conservation and in the global movement toward organic, sustainable clothing.
Organic and Nutritious Prasad Production by Rural Women in Uttarakhand
Spanning 11 major temples across Uttarakhand, including the Jageshwar Temple, a specialised project has replaced traditional sugar-based offerings with nutritious, organic Prasad prepared by local village women. These women utilise organic produce sourced directly from local farmers, such as amaranth (Cholai), baby corn, dry fruits, and pure ghee, to create health-conscious offerings. By moving away from conventional ingredients such as cardamom and sugar candy, this initiative promotes local agriculture while providing mountain-dwelling women with specialised culinary training and a reliable, permanent source of income.
Historic Inclusion: The First Female Barbers at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
In a landmark decision that challenged centuries of gender bias in religious services, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) appointed 20 women barbers to work at the Kalyanakata (tonsuring centre) of the Lord Venkateswara Temple. This historic move, initiated following judicial intervention and directives from the State Women’s Commission, saw the selection of 20 skilled professionals from a pool of nearly 100 candidates. By entering a traditionally male-dominated religious profession, these women have paved the way for gender equality within one of the world’s most visited religious institutions, demonstrating that spiritual service is open to all who possess the requisite skill and devotion.
The diverse success stories emerging from these spiritual landmarks illustrate a profound shift in how tradition intersects with progress. By providing roles across environmental management, artisanal craftsmanship, administrative leadership, and sacred services, these initiatives have broken long-standing gender barriers. This holistic model of empowerment has not only secured the financial futures of countless families but also elevated women’s social standing within their communities. As these programmes continue to scale, they stand as a powerful testament that when faith is coupled with social responsibility, it can create a more inclusive and prosperous world for all.
Credit : Organiser Weekly
