National SARAS Mela 2026 in Vijayawada
The Vijayawada edition marks the first National SARAS Mela organized outside the Delhi-NCR region, running from 13 October 2026 to 31 October 2026 at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada. The event brings together approximately 1,500 women Self-Help Group (SHG) entrepreneurs and Lakhpati Didis from 34 States and Union Territories showcasing their products through more than 650 stalls. The Mela features regional textiles, handicrafts, natural and processed foods, and other rural products, supported by an India Food Court, cultural showcases, and dedicated learning spaces.
DAY-NRLM Program and Market Access
The SARAS Melas are organized under the Centre's Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), which connects rural women entrepreneurs with wider markets, buyers, and business opportunities. The platform has evolved over nearly three decades from its inception in 1999 when the first National SARAS Mela was organized in Delhi with around 65 beneficiaries. To date, a total of 117 National SARAS Melas have been recorded with annual sales exceeding ₹200 crore. States and Union Territories also organize a minimum of two State-level SARAS Melas annually, bringing the national average to around 50 events per year.
Lakhpati Didi Initiative and Targets
The Lakhpati Didi initiative is an outcome-oriented livelihood program under DAY-NRLM that focuses on helping women and their households achieve sustainable income through diversified livelihood opportunities. A Lakhpati Didi is defined as an SHG member whose household earns at least ₹1 lakh annually on a sustainable basis, assessed over at least four agricultural seasons and/or business cycles. The government announced an ambition to create two crore Lakhpati Didis in August 2023, which was raised to three crore in the Interim Budget 2024-25. The initiative achieved the three-crore milestone by December 2025, and in February 2026, the government announced an enhanced target of six crore Lakhpati Didis.
Event Features and Pavilions
The Vijayawada Mela includes several dedicated thematic spaces: The Lakhpati Didi Pavilion showcases women who have built successful enterprises, including entrepreneurs earning more than ₹10 lakh annually and some earning over ₹1 crore. The Learning and Knowledge Pavilion hosts workshops, expert talks, masterclasses and experience-sharing sessions on topics including packaging, branding, business proposals, e-commerce and social media marketing. The Convergence Pavilion connects SHG entrepreneurs with relevant departments and institutions including the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Textiles, ONDC, Government eMarketplace (GeM) and TRIFED. The Demonstration Pavilion features live traditional and contemporary production methods including pottery, needlework, and mirror-work embroidery.
Digital Integration and Payment Systems
Digital payments are facilitated through UPI transactions, with the food court primarily operating through cashless transactions. Coupon-based cash payment facilities are also available for elderly citizens and visitors who prefer cash payments. The SARAS ecosystem combines physical Melas with the SARAS Gallery and e-commerce channels through the eSARAS platform, which provides an online route for customers to discover and purchase SHG products. A dedicated SARAS Mela Digital App introduced in 2025 supports SHG nominations, attendance management, and event-related information sharing.
Cultural and Food Offerings
The India Food Court features 50 food stalls showcasing regional cuisines prepared by more than 200 first-generation women food-service entrepreneurs from over 28 states and UTs. offerings include street favorites like Gol Gappe, Chaat and Kebabs, and regional dishes such as Litti Chokha from Bihar, Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, Mushroom Pitha from Assam, Makke Di Roti with Saag from Punjab, Vana Sundari from Kerala, and Chausela from Chhattisgarh. Cultural programs feature traditional art forms, crafts, textiles, music and dance from participating regions.