Guntur’s SARAS Mela Draws 1.2 Million People to Celebrate Crafts, Culture, and Community Enterprise

The SARAS Mela – All India DWCRA Bazaar in Guntur has emerged as one of the largest cultural and entrepreneurial gatherings of the year. Organized by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), the fair is a platform for self-help groups (SHGs) from across India to showcase their skills, products, and innovations.

Key Highlights:

• Attendance: Over 1.2 million visitors recorded since January 6, 2026.
• Venue: Reddy College Grounds, Nallapadu Road, Guntur.
• Scale: Spread across 12 acres with more than 300 stalls.
• Inauguration: Formally opened on January 8, 2026 by CM Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, and MSME Minister Kondapalli Srinivas.
• Offerings: Handicrafts, textiles, organic products, traditional foods, and innovative rural enterprises.
• Purpose: To promote women self help groups, rural artisans, and small scale entrepreneurs by connecting them directly with consumers.
• Public Response: Visitors praised the arrangements, diversity of goods, and cultural vibrancy of the mela.

The SARAS Mela not only boosts local economies but also strengthens rural entrepreneurship by giving SHGs national visibility. With its massive turnout, the event underscores the growing public interest in sustainable, community-driven enterprises.

Sources: New Indian Express, Janta Se Rishta