7 Hindu Festivals That Have Feminist Origins

One of the ways in which patriarchy sustains its reign is by interpreting Hindu festivals and imposing their biased perspective as tradition and norm. Whether it is Karwa Chauth, Teej or Holi, almost all the festivals are marred by patriarchal biases and stereotypes. But this does not mean that festivals are inherently corrupted. Rather they are feminist festivals whose meaning has been manipulated by upper-caste men to consolidate their hubris and dominance in the society.

If you read holy scriptures, the bias based on caste, gender and religion is conspicuous enough to conclude that it was written from a singular perspective. And today when we are progressing towards an equal society, undoubtedly the scriptures and festivals based on them raise several questions in our minds.

So the solution to it is to open the purview of interpreting God, religion and festivals and include people from all sections of the society. Those who believe in religion and festivals should have the freedom to interpret and practice the festivals in a way that doesn’t harm their self-respect. They should not be obliged to conform to the traditions that do not include their voices. So we bring to you some Hindu festivals that had feminist origins but they were obliterated by patriarchal interpretations.

Also Read: 13 Indian Patriarchal Festivals That Each Feminist Should Question

1. Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj and other festivals that are centred on the love between brothers and sisters are one of the best feminist festivals that Hindu tradition has given to us. It is undeniable that the patriarchal biases at home create a void in the relationship between siblings of the opposite gender.

That void raises questions about unequal treatment, freedom and opportunities. But festivals like Raksha Bandhan can fill this void with mutual love, respect and empowerment. Remember that every fight in history and present could be mended by love, either between two people of the same community or between two different communities. So if we unlearn the gender roles that traditions have imposed on the families and society, Raksha Bandhan can be a feminist festival of celebrating love and support among siblings.

2. Karwa Chauth

Our patriarchal tradition has made Karwa Chauth as one of the most regressive and patriarchal Hindu festivals. But how many of us know about its feminist roots? It is believed that Goddess Parvati observed Karwa Chauth for the first time to impress Lord Shiva and marry him. Hence, it is a ritual that upholds a woman’s freedom to marry a man of her choice, even if it is against her father’s choice and lineage.

It embodies a woman’s love and devotion towards the man she loves and the freedom to do so is still restricted. Haven’t you read the legends of Heer and Ranjha and Romeo and Juliet and other tragic love stories in which women could not pursue her love due to various societal restrictions? Even today women aren't allowed to marry a man of different religion or caste. In the face of these tales, Karwa Chauth ritual certainly promises an empowering narrative of women’s freedom and choice.

3. Teej

Everyone knows about the patriarchal origin of Teej that expects a woman to observe nirjala vrat throughout the day for the long life of her husband. But do we know that Teej is also a celebration of supportive female friendship? The story behind Teej says that Parvati was helped by her female friend in absconding from her father’s house as he was getting Parvati married against her choice. And the two friends together reached a jungle where Parvati finally convinced Shiva to marry her. So if Teej is practised as per its feminist interpretation, it will represent women’s agency, choice and sisterhood.

Both Teej and Karwa Chauth respect a woman’s choice in life, whether it is in choosing her husband or in the ways in which she showcases her love. As far as the gendered narrative of self-sacrifice is concerned, let us understand that self-sacrifice is not only a woman’s duty. It is a result of the biased interpretation of festivals and religion that we need to change. If festivals like Teej and Karwa Chauth uphold woman’s devotion towards her love, it does the same for men too.

4. Holi

Holi is a festival of colours, of good’s victory over evil, of forgetting differences and embracing friends and enemies. But owing to its interpretations in a patriarchal society, the festival is now the celebration of women’s confinement because of their fear of the predators who harass them by applying colours forcefully and inappropriately.

A look at Hindu festivals whose meaning has been manipulated by upper-caste men to consolidate their hubris and dominance in the society.

Their confinement is also because they are expected to be in the kitchen throughout the day preparing for the feast and the holiday that the entire family enjoys. Why can’t we get rid of these patriarchal restrictions that make a feel-good festival like Holi a nightmare for women? Why should men consider Holi and its colours as a blanket under which they continue to practice sexism? Why can’t the colours be a celebration of unity in diversity and equality despite difference? That is exactly what Holy embodies.

5. Diwali

Diwali is one of the most significant festivals of the Hindu religion. It embodies values like lights, victory, unity and happiness like no other festival. But due to patriarchal institutions, the festival is caught up in sexism. The biased custom of cleaning the house and gharonda make Diwali yet another sexist festival that devalues women. But the festival is inherently feminist because it celebrates harmony in family and community. It is based on the idea that women are the goddesses of money and business, a co-relation that we still couldn’t achieve in real life. We tend to go back to the patriarchal interpretations that render women as objects and silent supporters of prosperity in the families. Their excellence is used to serve the head of the family but never to be the head herself. If we celebrate Diwali as per its feminist interpretations, women will not only embody Lakshmi but also manage it.

6. Chhat

Chhat is a festival that connects devotees with the nature that is inherently unbiased. Moreover, it is originally celebrated by both men and women for the welfare of their kids. But the patriarchal perspective that has manipulated its meaning is the idea of male-child preference that is practised under its garb. Many devotees observe Chhat puja to have a male child. In older times, the wish for a child coincided with the need of a capable inheritor of the family. But today when both son and daughter are equally capable of inheriting properties and leading the family business, why should traditional festivals seek a male-child as the inheritor? Chhat is a beautiful festival that celebrates parents’ love for children, and their gender should no longer matter.

A deep dive into Hindu festivals that have feminist origins

7. Durga Puja

Any discussion about feminist festivals in Hindu religion cannot end without the mention of Durga Puja. It is the most powerful women-centric festival that Hindu traditions have given to us. The nine faces of Goddess Durga signifies that a woman deserves to have emotions like anger, rebel against what is wrong, seek education,  have a happy marriage and embrace motherhood if that makes her happy. But, the added patriarchal narrative is that Goddess Durga is essentially a married woman who comes back to her parents’ house for a few days when she is treated and worshipped like queen or goddess.

The Kanak Durga at Durga Puja. Credit: India Today

This again imposes the binary of how after marriage, a woman’s real house is her matrimonial home while at the parental house where she grew up she becomes a guest. Moreover, the festival exposes the double standards that the patriarchal society practices. Even if it celebrates womanhood in Goddess Durga, it oppresses women in real life.

So, in order to truly practice the feminism that Durga Puja embodies, we need to unlearn the narratives aimed at appropriating the festival to serve patriarchy's hubris. Let us celebrate Durga Puja to remind ourselves that every woman has the power and freedom of Goddess Durga and no one has the right to oppress her.

If these festivals get rid of their patriarchal narratives, we will be a part of history and tradition that has valued women.

Also Read: Ten Ways To Smash Patriarchy At Home