Durga Puja Festival Pandal Breaks Menstruation Taboos in Kolkata.
In Kolkata, India’s cultural capital, a Durga Puja Festival pandal boldly broke societal taboos, advocating for menstrual equity.
By Rachel “Sink” Lindsay
Durga Puja Festival.
The Durga Puja festival, celebrated across India in October, celebrates the goddess Durga Puja in the form of a mother and daughter. Despite the festival’s themes of women’s empowerment, women in the country are still restricted from engaging in societal activities during their cycle, as it is considered impure.
Source: Feminist Giant
Kolkata Makes Waves.
During the festival, many pandals—structures where events are hosted—are transformed into art exhibits for community celebration. This year in Kolkata, the cultural capital of India, a puja (prayer ritual) committee made waves by integrating menstruation into their pandal theme.
Source: Feminist Giant
Menstruation Theme.
The Pathuria Ghata Pancher Palli Durga Puja Committee used the opportunity to raise awareness about menstruation restrictions in a forbidden realm—the religious sphere. Their theme, Ritumati, meaning “a woman during the period of menstruation.” visually portrayed the various stages of a woman’s cycle.
Source: Feminist Giant
Forward Progress.
The committee also organized a menstruation awareness camp, distributing free feminine products. In India, an estimated 50% of women between the ages of 15-24 use scrap cloths during their period, which can lead to reproductive issues, urinary tract infections, and in extreme cases, cervical cancer.
Source: Feminist Giant
“Menstruation is a natural biological process, and there is no need to hide it. It’s high time we challenge these taboos, and the first step is to bring such issues to the forefront.”
–Ellora Saha, Pathuriaghata Pancher Palli Sarbojanin Durgotsab President
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