Women of SHGs in Matabari, Tripura, are recycling temple puja flowers from Tripurasundari Mandir into eco-friendly Agarbatti. This initiative blends sustainability, women empowerment, and livelihood generation while promoting green innovation and preserving cultural sanctity.
In a heartwarming step towards sustainable development and women’s empowerment, members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Matabari, Gomati district, have launched an innovative project to recycle waste puja flowers from the sacred Tripurasundari Mandir into Agarbatti (incense sticks). This unique initiative not only addresses environmental concerns but also provides a new source of livelihood for local women under the Non-Farm Livelihood framework.
Every day, countless devotees visit the revered Tripurasundari Temple, offering flowers and other items as part of their rituals. While these offerings hold immense spiritual value, the disposal of flower waste has long been a challenge, often leading to environmental degradation. Recognizing this issue, 30 SHG members under the Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU) Matabari decided to take matters into their own hands. Their vision was simple yet powerful: transform sacred waste into a meaningful product that continues to carry spiritual significance.
The result of this vision is the production of eco-friendly Agarbatti made from discarded temple flowers. By giving the flowers a second life, these women are reducing waste while creating a sustainable livelihood opportunity. For the SHG members, this is not merely a business activity—it is an initiative that blends devotion, innovation, and environmental care.
To make the initiative more organized and impactful, a Non-Farm Collective (NFC) is being established. This collective will serve as a one-stop hub for activities ranging from flower collection at the temple to the production, packaging, and branding of incense sticks. It will also handle market linkages, helping the products reach a broader audience beyond the temple town. The collective approach ensures that the incense sticks are not just locally consumed but find a place in wider markets, thereby boosting the income potential for the SHG members.
The SHG Didis, as the women are affectionately called, see this project as much more than just financial support. It is a mission to preserve the sanctity of religious offerings, promote eco-friendly practices, and set an example for other communities to follow. Turning waste into wealth, they are rewriting the narrative of what temple waste can mean in a modern, eco-conscious society.
Moreover, the project embodies the spirit of women empowerment. By engaging in this collective enterprise, the women are not only gaining financial independence but also strengthening their roles as decision-makers within their families and communities. The initiative reflects how traditional practices, when paired with modern sustainability concepts, can unlock new avenues for growth and dignity.
The environmental benefits of this project are equally significant. Instead of ending up in garbage dumps or polluting water bodies, the temple flowers are now being recycled into a product that brings peace and purity to homes and prayer spaces. This ensures a circular economy approach where resources are reused and repurposed rather than wasted.
The incense sticks produced from the flowers will carry both cultural and spiritual value. For devotees, lighting Agarbatti made from flowers once offered to the deity adds a new dimension of faith and connection. For the SHG members, it represents hard work, innovation, and the courage to create something meaningful for society.
This pioneering effort in Matabari mirrors a larger trend in Tripura, where grassroots innovation and women-led enterprises are increasingly shaping the path of rural development. By combining entrepreneurship with ecological responsibility, the SHG Didis are showcasing how small-scale initiatives can have lasting impacts on society.
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In essence, this initiative is a story of transformation—of flowers into incense, of waste into wealth, and of women into empowered change-makers. With the establishment of the NFC and the commitment of the SHG members, the Matabari flower-to-agarbatti project is set to inspire many similar ventures across the state and beyond. It is a shining example of how devotion, sustainability, and empowerment can come together to create a better future for communities and the environment alike.
