President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the National Saras Mela on Thursday at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada as part of the Dasara festivities. The mela has moved out of the National Capital Region for the first time since its inception in 1999 and will be hosted in Vijayawada.
Explaining the reason behind the move, the Director of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development, Molishree said, “Vijayawada lights up during Dasara with a huge devotee turnout, and the exhibition needs a lot of footfalls so that a maximum number of Self Help Group women benefit.”
The Andhra Pradesh government has been very forthcoming in hosting the mela in Vijayawada, she added.
Over 600 stalls have been set up, which will display handloom sarees, stoles, scarves, and other apparel and handicrafts.
Usually, 900 to 1,000 women take part in such melas, and this time, the number has risen beyond 1,500, Dr. Molishree said, adding that they are expecting a humongous response from Vijayawada.
Stalls are being readied for the National SARAS Mela 2026 at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: G.N. RAO
“We have seen that people here value their heritage, and so, we hope that people will arrive here in large numbers and support the women,” she said.
Besides, a food court has been set up with around 50 stalls where people can taste delicacies from various States. There are also different pavilions, one of which offers viewers demonstrations on how a particular product is made.
