The Subhadra Shakti Mela Bhubaneswar 2025 is organised by the state government’s Mission Shakti Department, and will host more than 300 women-led self-help groups (SHGs) from across Odisha, as well as invited SHGs from 11 other states.
This exhibition-cum-festival format brings together:
- Women entrepreneurs showcasing and selling products spanning hand-looms, handicrafts, non-timber-forest-products, food items, home décor and household goods.
- A strong cultural and experience dimension: evening performances including Odissi, Chhau, folk drama, Mallakhamb, Gotipua, Sambalpuri dance, Bihu, Pala, and even a fashion show featuring hand-loom and costume creations by SHGs for the first time.
- A dedicated food-stall zone: 50 stalls offering millet-based healthy foods alongside traditional Odia delicacies, reflecting the fusion of cultural heritage and commercial exhibition activity.
- The first-time fashion show featuring hand-loom and costume creations by SHGs: a blending of traditional arts + modern presentation formats.
- Food-zone emphasis: 50 food stalls, focusing on millet-based healthy foods along with traditional odia cuisine. This reflects the trend of integrating food experiences in exhibitions to enhance footfall and dwell time.
- Cultural programming every evening: this elevates the fair from transactional to experiential, encouraging attendance beyond plain shopping.
