Traditional handloom, handicrafts and cultural heritage from across Northeast India are being showcased at Gandhi Shilp Bazaar 2026, which opened at Mopin Solung Ground in Itanagar on October 24.
The 10-day event, organised by the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd (NEHHDC) in association with the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, will continue until November 2.
The bazaar was inaugurated in the presence of NEHHDC Managing Director Mara Kocho, Hara Kanta Baro, Regional Director for the North Eastern Region at the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), and the Senior Assistant Director of the Handicrafts Service Centre in Itanagar.
With 56 stalls, the event provides artisans, weavers and craftspeople with a platform to display and sell their products to a wider audience. Visitors can explore traditional textiles, indigenous crafts and handmade products reflecting the region’s diverse artistic traditions.
The initiative aims to improve market access for artisans and create opportunities to connect directly with consumers and potential buyers. Organisers said greater visibility and access to new markets can help craftspeople sustain their livelihoods and expand their businesses.
Traditional handloom and handicraft practices also preserve the cultural knowledge, techniques and artistic expressions passed down through generations. By bringing artisans from across the Northeast together, the bazaar seeks to promote appreciation of these traditions while supporting the communities that keep them alive.
The event highlights the role of traditional craftsmanship not only in preserving the region’s cultural identity but also in creating livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities for local artisans.
Gandhi Shilp Bazaar 2026 will remain open to visitors at Mopin Solung Ground until November 2.
Also read | IIT Guwahati study reveals how plants adapt to drought