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New Delhi, 13 October, 2026: The capital’s bustling cultural district is alive with a vibrant celebration of indigenous craftsmanship as the State Emporia Complex on Baba Kharak Singh Marg hosts the ‘Handloom & Handicraft Mela – Dussehra Mahotsav 2026’. Organised under the aegis of AANA Handlooms, the 12-day national exposition kicked off on October 8 and will run until October 19, transforming the heart of New Delhi into a sprawling showcase of regional textile legacies and rural artisan traditions.
Bringing together master weavers and folk artisans from across the country, the fair houses over 60 curated stalls. Textile aficionados and festive shoppers have been making a beeline for authentic handloom varieties—ranging from delicate Kashmiri Pashmina shawls and opulent Kanjivaram silks to Bengal’s famed Tant and Baluchari drapes, as well as heritage Banarasi brocades.
Beyond hand-spun textiles, the mela presents an eclectic assortment of handcrafted lifestyle products. Highlights include celebrated Mithila (Madhubani) folk paintings from Bihar, finely chiselled wooden and stone artefacts from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, metal craft, jute accessories, and an extensive array of studio pottery, terracotta, ceramics, and artistic glassware. Gourmet and home utility sections are drawing equal enthusiasm, with patrons stocking up on naturally cured artisanal pickles, papads, handmade bamboo and wild-grass baskets, and premium-grade dry fruits in high demand ahead of Navratri festivities.
Underlining the initiative’s broader vision, Mohd. B. Islam, President of AANA Handlooms, noted that the fair aims to bridge the gap between rural master craftsmen and urban patrons. “Our objective is to offer grassroots artisans and generational weavers a direct interface with buyers, completely eliminating middlemen. This ensures discerning consumers receive genuine, GI-tagged craftsmanship at fair prices, while every rupee earned directly supports the artisans’ households,” he said.
Echoing this optimism, Vice President Dharamveer Singh highlighted Delhi’s reception: “With Dussehra and Diwali around the corner, people naturally seek bespoke, handcrafted pieces both for festive gifting and home décor. The opening day response has been remarkable, and we anticipate record footfalls and artisan sales over the coming days.”
Emphasising visitor convenience and artisan support, General Secretary Ram Singh shared details regarding the logistics. “Our foremost duty is ensuring a dignified, seamless sales platform for our guest artisans coming from far-flung districts. Admission to the exhibition is entirely free for all visitors, and the grounds remain open daily from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM through October 19, allowing families ample time to explore both our heritage crafts and curated cultural performances,” he stated.
Complementing the retail vibrancy, the fairgrounds also feature daily evening folk performances from diverse regions, turning the venue into a vibrant cultural crossroads. Serving as a living embodiment of the ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ mandates, the Dussehra Mahotsav offers the capital an immersive, community-driven celebration of India’s living craft traditions.