Oachira Panthrandu Vilakku: A study of a culturally embedded festival aligned with economic benefits
Abstract
Purpose
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.
Design/methodology/approach
Stakeholder interviews and focus-group roundtable discussions with multiple stakeholders were conducted.
Findings
Policy changes have been studied and recommended for enhancing the economic value of the culturally embedded Panthrandu Vilakku festival celebrated in Oachira, Kerala, India.
Practical implications
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.
Originality/value
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.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the administrative and moral support received from their own respective organizations. They also acknowledge Mr Radhakrishnan and Mr Krishna Kumar, temple administrators, besides other community leaders, who have been immensely supportive in completing the present piece of research work.
Citation
Babu, V. and Munjal, S. (2015), "Oachira Panthrandu Vilakku: A study of a culturally embedded festival aligned with economic benefits", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 7 No. 4, pp. 403-416. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-03-2015-0009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited