Bhubaneswar: Celebrating India’s rich textile heritage and Odisha’s renowned handwoven traditions, the 24th National Level Handloom Expo was inaugurated on Friday evening at the IDCO Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar. The Expo, organised by the Odisha State Handloom Weavers’ Cooperative Society Ltd. (Boyanika), will continue till February 22, 2026.
The event was inaugurated at 6:30 pm by Minister for Co-operation and Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Pradeep Bal Samanta, in the presence of Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Boyanika President Prakash Chandra Meher, Managing Director Dr Nivedita Prusty, and senior departmental officials.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said Odisha’s handwoven textiles, particularly the traditional Ikat (Bandha) weaving, have earned global recognition for their intricate craftsmanship and timeless appeal. He said the Expo aims to provide a vibrant marketing platform for weavers from across the country, enabling them to showcase their products, expand market access and enhance livelihoods.
Organised with the objective of strengthening marketing support for handloom artisans, the Expo also facilitates interaction among weavers, allowing them to exchange knowledge on weaving techniques, cost efficiency, skill development and contemporary colour and design trends.
Sponsored by the Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, Government of Odisha, the Expo features participation from leading State-level organisations including Boyanika, Utkalika, Sambalpuri Bastralaya and Resham Odisha, along with 50 Primary Weavers’ Cooperative Societies (PWCS) from Odisha and Tata Antaran, Gopalpur. Additionally, 20 participants from outside the State are taking part, representing Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Delhi, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Gujarat.
A total of 80 stalls have been set up, all allotted free of cost to the participating weavers. One of the key attractions is the theme pavilion, inspired by Dhauli – The Peace Pagoda, designed by the Weavers Service Centre, Bhubaneswar.
The Expo will remain open daily from 11:00 am to 9:30 pm, offering visitors an opportunity to explore and purchase a diverse range of handwoven products from across the country. The expected business turnover during the event is estimated at around ₹10 crore.
The National Level Handloom Expo continues to serve as a major platform for promoting India’s handloom heritage while supporting sustainable livelihoods for thousands of weavers nationwide.