The Ministry of Rural Development, in partnership with the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) Andhra Pradesh, is bringing the National SARAS Mela 2026 to Vijayawada. This marks the first time the event is being held outside the Delhi-NCR region. The 19-day mela will run from 13 to 31 October 2026 at Punnami Ghat and will be inaugurated by the President of India on 15 October.
The mela will bring together over 1,500 women entrepreneurs from Self-Help Groups across more than 30 states and union territories. It aims to provide a marketplace for rural enterprises, traditional crafts, regional cuisines and women-led businesses to reach customers directly across India.
Key facts
- Dates: 13 to 31 October 2026 (inauguration on 15 October at 11:30 AM)
- Location: Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
- Number of women entrepreneurs: 1,500+
- States and UTs represented: 30+
- Inaugurating authority: President Droupadi Murmu
- Food stalls: 50 across the venue
- Signature installation: 16-foot “SHAKTI – The Spirit of Lakhpati Didi”
- Supporting organisations: NABARD and NIRDPR
What the SARAS Mela is
SARAS stands for Self-Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU). The National SARAS Mela is a marketplace initiative under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), a central government scheme for rural poverty reduction and livelihoods. The mela connects rural women entrepreneurs directly with consumers, allowing them to sell products without middlemen and build business relationships.
Products and crafts on display
The mela will showcase traditional handicrafts and textiles from across India, including Phulkari from Punjab, Pashmina from Jammu and Kashmir, Ikat and Telia textiles from Telangana, and Paunchei from Mizoram. Other crafts include Meenakari work, Dokra, brasswork, woodcraft and traditional paintings. Visitors will also access regional cuisines and home-style dishes prepared by participating women entrepreneurs.
Key features and pavilions
The mela includes several dedicated pavilions. The Lakhpati Didi Pavilion will showcase the journey of women moving from learning traditional skills to setting up enterprises and achieving financial independence. Visitors will hear directly from these women entrepreneurs about their experiences.
The Knowledge Pavilion will connect participating women with corporate executives, industry experts and organisations offering guidance on branding, marketing, packaging, business development and market expansion. The Convergence Pavilion will link women entrepreneurs with relevant government departments, ministries and supporting institutions for enterprise growth.
The Demo Pavilion will feature live demonstrations of handicraft-making and handloom weaving, allowing visitors to watch products being created. A 16-foot installation called “SHAKTI – The Spirit of Lakhpati Didi” will stand at the venue, symbolising the collective strength of millions of rural women preserving India’s craftsmanship while building independent livelihoods.
Link to Lakhpati Didi scheme
The mela aligns with the government’s Lakhpati Didi programme, which aims to create 6 crore (60 million) women entrepreneurs earning at least one lakh rupees annually by 2029. The SARAS Mela, combined with the SARAS Aajeevika Gallery and eSARAS digital platform, provides these women with wider market access beyond their local areas, helping them transform skills into sustainable income sources.
What this means for you
If you are a consumer, the mela offers direct access to authentic handicrafts and traditional products at reasonable prices, with the knowledge that your purchase directly supports rural women entrepreneurs. If you are a rural woman entrepreneur or part of a Self-Help Group, the mela provides a platform to showcase your products, connect with bulk buyers, learn business skills and access government support networks. The eSARAS digital platform also allows you to sell products online beyond the physical mela dates.
The event coincides with Vijayawada’s Dasara Sharannavaratri Utsavams and Vijayawada Utsav 2.0, making it part of broader cultural celebrations in the city.