Abstract

Temple festivals in Kerala are vibrant cultural events that draw massive crowds, creating a complex environment where crowd dynamics can pose significant disaster risks. The large number of attendees, combined with limited space and inadequate safety measures, makes these festivals vulnerable to incidents such as stampedes, fires, and structural collapses. Despite the recurrence of crowd-induced disasters, there remains a gap in comprehensive disaster management strategies tailored to these unique events. This paper examines the critical aspects of crowd behaviour during Kerala’s temple festivals and the associated disaster risks. It explores past incidents to identify key risk factors and assesses current preparedness and response mechanisms.  This study explored a mixed-methods approach to examine crowd dynamics and disaster risks in Kerala temple festivals. Primary data were collected through field observations and semi-structured interviews with festival organizers, local authorities, and participants. Secondary data included incident reports and archival records of past festivals. The findings were synthesized to propose evidence-based management strategies. The analysis revealed critical risk factors associated with crowd dynamics during Kerala temple festivals, including overcrowding in confined spaces, inadequate evacuation routes, and lack of real-time communication systems. GIS-based spatial mapping highlighted congestion hotspots and high-risk zones. Interviews with stakeholders identified gaps in preparedness and coordination among organizers and emergency services. The proposed management strategies demonstrated the potential to mitigate risks, enhance crowd safety, and ensure efficient emergency response. Effective crowd management at temple festivals requires a multidisciplinary approach that involves spatial analysis, stakeholder collaboration, and robust catastrophe preparedness. The study highlights the significance of conducting preventive risk assessments and dynamic crowd monitoring techniques to avoid disasters. Implementing the proposed measures can considerably improve public safety, serve as a model for comparable cultural events, and help to shape legislation for disaster risk reduction in large crowds.