National SARAS Mela in Vijayawada records sales of ₹ 5 crore in eight days

People visiting stalls at the ongoing National SARAS Mela-2026 at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada. | Photo credit: GN RAO

The National SARAS Aajeevika Mela 2026 at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada has registered a cumulative revenue of ₹ 5 crore through the sale of two lakh products since Tuesday. More than 70,000 visitors attended the fair on Vijayadashami.

Sales reached ₹ 1.27 crore on Tuesday alone, with 48,370 products sold on the occasion of Vijayadashami. The festival, which draws a large number of devotees to the Sri Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri, has contributed to the festive atmosphere in the city and increased footfall at the fair, according to officials.

Held from October 13 to 31, the mela provides a marketing platform for women self-help groups (SHGs) across the country to showcase handicrafts, handloom products, textiles, food and other regional specialties. The direct interaction between producers and consumers is expected to help SHG members expand their market reach and generate additional income, they said in a press release on Wednesday.

Awareness program

Separately, the Society for Employment Generation and Entrepreneurship Development of Andhra Pradesh (SEEDAP) conducted an awareness program on rural enterprises and youth skill development on Monday.

NTR District Job Nukani Area Manager Prasanth Kumar Naidu explained skill training, job opportunities, business expansion, market access, branding and registration of rural businesses on the Udyam portal to help entrepreneurs access formal credit, subsidies and government benefits.

Published – 21 Oct 2026 20:34 IST