(Mohan Bhulani, NTI): The Kedarnath pilgrimage this year has proved to be nothing short of a blessing for women’s groups in the district. Local women’s collectives, actively involved in the pilgrimage, have benefited greatly, achieving nearly 10 million rupees in trade during this holy event.
This year, over 1.65 million devotees visited Kedarnath Dham, which significantly impacted the income and financial standing of these women. With the increasing number of pilgrims each year, women’s group enterprises have grown proportionally. Last year, their trade reached around 7 million rupees, which has surged to 10 million this year.
District administration, in partnership with the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), the Rural Business Incubator, and the Rural Enterprise Acceleration Project (REAP), is striving to boost the livelihoods of women across the district. Various initiatives are underway to organize women into self-help groups and connect them to self-employment opportunities.
Chief Development Officer Dr. G.S. Khati explained that women have taken up making and selling items like sacred offerings, souvenirs, incense, churma (a local sweet), bel leaves, honey, and bags made from jute and silk for the pilgrims visiting Baba Kedarnath. In addition, women are also being involved in operating “Saras Restaurants,” “Hilans Cafes,” and bakeries, providing them with sustainable livelihood options.
In a first-time initiative led by District Magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar, seven outlets for the Anchal Dairy, set up in collaboration with the Dairy Development Department, were introduced along the pilgrimage route. This has opened up valuable employment avenues for local women’s groups and other residents.
Through the sale of offerings, women earned nearly 3 million rupees. Groups from Medanpur particularly profited from selling offerings to the pilgrims. Over 60 women from 10 self-help groups marketed a variety of products, including Amaranth laddus, herbal incense, churma, bel leaves, honey, and jute and silk bags.
Chairperson of the Ganga Milk Production Association, Ghungra Devi, shared that her group produced and sold nearly 100 quintals of Amaranth laddus and churma this season, generating a business of around 2.5 million rupees. Regular training and employment have been provided to the women involved in this enterprise.
The Dairy Department, with active support from District Magistrate Gaharwar, also played a key role this year. Seven Anchal outlets across various locations collectively generated nearly 2 million rupees in trade for women’s groups and local citizens.
The Swastik Women’s Self-Help Group contributed by creating and selling decorative garlands themed on the Char Dham (the four holy sites) and generated about 500,000 rupees in revenue. Overall, the sale of items like incense, churma, bel leaves, honey, and jute and silk bags helped local communities earn an additional 1 million rupees during the pilgrimage.
Through collective efforts and strategic support from local authorities, the Kedarnath pilgrimage has fostered growth and self-reliance among the women in the district, providing them with vital economic opportunities and boosting the local economy.
