– This study aims to investigate how Oachira Panthrandu Vilakku (twelve-lamp) festival in Oachira helps in providing economic benefits to local residents of the town during the pilgrimage season.
– Stakeholder interviews and focus-group roundtable discussions with multiple stakeholders were conducted.
– Policy changes have been studied and recommended for enhancing the economic value of the culturally embedded Panthrandu Vilakku festival celebrated in Oachira, Kerala, India.
– There is huge untapped potential for India’s festivals in India. While efforts are made to leverage these for economic gains, the negative impacts also need to be recognized and mitigated.
– The study is significant in the context of arresting economic leakage and promoting an ecosystem of decision-making at community level by the local residents.
