Saras Mela Returns to Patna from September 18 to 27 at Gyan Bhawan

Patna: The Bihar Saras Mela is set to take place from September 18 to 27 at Gyan Bhawan, Patna, offering a platform to showcase the state’s folk art, culture, traditions, and cuisine. The fair, which will be inaugurated by Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar, will feature more than 130 stalls and free entry for visitors.

Entrepreneurs from over 22 states will participate in the event, with women entrepreneurs from Uttarakhand, Assam, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Kerala, Jharkhand, Manipur, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh setting up stalls to present their regional crafts and cuisines. The fair will run daily from 10 am to 8 pm.

First held in 2018, the Bihar Saras Mela is organised twice a year. The September edition, known as Laghu Saras, focuses on products made by women entrepreneurs associated with Bihar Samiti, while the larger second edition is held at Gandhi Maidan and lasts for 15 days. During this longer event, self-help groups from nearly every state in India exhibit their goods.

Jeevika didis, women associated with the state’s rural livelihood mission, will offer traditional products including pickles, papad, badi, sattu, and marua flour. Last year, the fair’s first edition saw sales of Rs. 2.92 crore through 131 stalls, showcasing the country’s rich diversity in craft, food, and tradition. Visitors not only shopped for their favourite products but also enjoyed a variety of regional delicacies.