Gandhi Shilp Bazaar 2026 - NEHHDC

The Gandhi Shilp Bazaar 2026 was inaugurated at Mopin Solung Ground here on Saturday showcasing rich handloom, handicraft and cultural heritage of NE India, Arunachal Pradesh in particular.

Organised by NEHHDC North East in association with office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), it was inaugurated in presence of NEHHDC MD Mara Kocho and NE regional director Hara Kanta Baro and continue till November 2.

It is an initiative to celebrate the NE’s diverse cultural traditions and provide artisans, weavers and crafts persons with greater opportunities to showcase their products to a wider audience. With 56 stalls listed for the Itanagar edition, the event brings attention to the distinctive handloom and handicraft traditions that form an important part of the NE’s cultural identity and traditional livelihoods.

NE India is home to a remarkable range of traditional textiles, indigenous crafts, hand-woven products and artistic practices shaped by the knowledge, creativity and skills of local communities. These traditions reflect rich cultural diversity and have been preserved and passed down through generations.

Gandhi Shilp Bazaar seeks to bring this heritage closer to the public by providing a common platform where traditional products can be displayed, appreciated and put to explore the NE’s craftsmanship, discover distinctive handmade products and gain a deeper appreciation of the traditions and skills behind them.

The showcase is an effort to celebrate the cultural identity of Arunachal, creating greater public awareness of the artisans and communities who continue to keep these traditions alive.  Preserving cultural identity through traditional crafts, handlooms and handicrafts represent more than products for everyday use. They often carry the stories, artistic expressions, techniques and cultural knowledge of the communities that create them. Preserving these traditions is therefore closely linked to protecting the cultural heritage and identity of the region.

The participation of artisans from across the NE also highlights the diversity of craft traditions. Their products offer visitors an opportunity to experience different artistic styles and traditional practices while supporting the people who sustain them.