From devotion to livelihood: Somnath rural women transform sacred cloth into designer kurtas

Somanth, the abode of first among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva is empowering local women to achieve economic independence.

Under an innovative initiative by the Shree Somnath Trust, pitambar (yellow sacred cloth) offered to Lord Shiva is being transformed into beautifully designed kurtas by the local women. 

The recycled clothes are now distributed to more than 21,000 needy individuals. Taking this sentiment further, the Trust has now connected faith with self-reliance.

Through special training programmes, the Trust has enhanced the skills of rural women. With devotion, these women are now artistically converting the pitambar once offered to Lord Shiva into sacred clothing offerings. 

The charm of these kurtas lies not only in their sacred association with Somnath but also in their contemporary appeal. Blending tradition with style, they feature vibrant patterns, designer collars, and unique back prints adorned with symbols of Lord Shiva—such as the damaru, trishul, and shikhar—making them perfectly in tune with today’s fashion trends.

The women from villages around Somnath, who are at the heart of this initiative, share with pride, “Once, our lives were limited to household chores. But with the training provided by the Trust, we have gained new skills and confidence. Today, the kurtas crafted by our hands will reach homes across the country, carrying with them the blessings of Lord Shiva.”