ਸਰਸ ਮੇਲਾ ਮੋਹਾਲ਼ੀ । Magic of Saras Mela Mohali 2024 ❤️

#sarasmela #mohali #mela
Saras Mela is a vibrant celebration of traditional arts, crafts, culture, and heritage, held annually across various parts of India. In 2024, Saras Mela in Mohali is particularly exciting, running from October 18 to October 27, 2024, at Sector 88, SAS Nagar. This 10-day extravaganza showcases over 300 stalls featuring local artisans, food vendors, and performers from across the country. It is organized to promote and support rural artisans, while also providing entertainment through cultural performances, live music, and amusement activities for families and visitors of all ages  .

The History and Purpose of Saras Mela

Saras Mela is organized under the initiative of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. The event’s primary objective is to promote products made by rural artisans under the Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), a national scheme aimed at poverty alleviation through self-employment. The Mela acts as a marketplace where these artisans can directly interact with buyers, cutting out the middlemen and gaining fair prices for their goods. It helps promote sustainable livelihoods in rural areas, empowering artisans by giving them a platform to showcase their work on a large scale.

The Mohali edition of Saras Mela 2024 follows the same goal of supporting rural and small-scale artisans by offering them an opportunity to exhibit their handmade crafts to a large urban audience. These artisans bring traditional skills and techniques passed down through generations, helping preserve India’s diverse cultural heritage while promoting entrepreneurship among rural communities.

Key Attractions at Saras Mela 2024

Saras Mela is known for offering a delightful combination of shopping, food, and entertainment. Some key features and attractions of the 2024 edition in Mohali include:

1. Artisanal Handicrafts

One of the highlights of Saras Mela is the showcase of a wide range of handicrafts, including:

• Textiles and Fabrics: Handloom products, khadi, and other ethnic fabrics.
• Jewelry: Intricate traditional jewelry crafted by artisans from various states.
• Decorative Items: Hand-painted pottery, wooden carvings, and metalwork.
• Furniture: Unique, handcrafted furniture made from locally sourced materials.
• Leather and Footwear: Traditional leather goods and footwear, especially from regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat.

2. Cultural Programs

Each evening, visitors can enjoy vibrant cultural performances. The 2024 Saras Mela in Mohali promises performances by over 400 artists from all over the country. Traditional folk dances, such as Bhangra, Kathakali, and Himachal Nati, will be performed, showcasing India’s rich cultural diversity . There will also be puppet shows, comedy acts, and live performances by both Bollywood and Punjabi music stars.

Some of the renowned performers lined up for the event include:

• Gippy Grewal
• Ranjit Bawa
• Kulwinder Billa
• Lakhwinder Wadali
• Pari Pandher

These performances are a major attraction of the mela, creating a festive environment where people can dance, sing, and celebrate together.

3. Cuisine

Food is always a major draw at Saras Mela, with numerous stalls offering regional delicacies from across India. Visitors can enjoy:

• Traditional Punjabi dishes like butter chicken, sarson da saag, and makki di roti.
• Street foods from different parts of India, such as Mumbai’s vada pav, Delhi’s chaat, and Kolkata’s kathi rolls.
• Sweets from various regions, including rasgullas, jalebis, and laddus.

Economic and Social Impact

Saras Mela is more than just a fair; it plays a crucial role in promoting rural entrepreneurship. By providing rural artisans and producers with a direct connection to urban markets, it helps them gain exposure and increases their earnings. These opportunities are especially important for women artisans, who make up a significant percentage of the participants in Saras Mela.

The mela also creates a sense of community by bringing together people from different regions and cultures. It allows visitors to experience the cultural wealth of India while supporting local businesses. By purchasing products at the mela, visitors contribute directly to the empowerment of rural communities, fostering economic development in underserved areas.

Practical Information for Visitors

• Dates: October 18 - October 27, 2024
• Location: Sector 88, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
• Timings: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (live performances start at 6:00 PM)
• Entry Fee: The entry fee is nominal, and tickets can be purchased offline at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Mohali  .
• Things to Remember: While entry is affordable, you’ll need to budget for any purchases at the stalls, including handicrafts and food. Additionally, there are nominal fees for the rides and other attractions.

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