વડોદરા, ૩ નવેમ્બર, ૨૦૨૬: વડોદરાના અકોટા ખાતે ૭ નવેમ્બર સુધી બપોરે ૨થી રાત્રે ૧૦ વાગ્યા સુધી ચાલતા સ્વદેશી મેળામાં ગુજરાતભરના કારીગરોના સ્ટોલ પર લોકોની ભીડ ઉમટી છે. મોતીકામ કરતાં કવિતાબેન પટેલ અને અમદાવાદના મૂક-બધિર દંપતી સવિતાબેન અને ભીખાભાઈ પ્રજાપતિના હાથબનાવટના તોરણો મુલાકાતીઓનું ખાસ આકર્ષણ બન્યા છે.

Crowds are turning out for the Swadeshi Mela at Akota, Vadodara, where craftspeople and traditional artists from across Gujarat are selling handmade goods under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local banner, the district information office said on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The fair is open 2 pm to 10 pm until November 7.

What's on sale

Handloom stalls with Kutchi bandhani, patola, khadi and embroidered dress material draw the most attention. There are also eco-friendly clay pots, decorative diyas, handmade jute bags, oxidised jewellery and home décor.

Kavitaben's beadwork

Vadodara's Kavitaben Patel has done beadwork for eight years and specialises in ornaments for deities. Her bead parijat and lotus garlands are drawing buyers, and she urged visitors to support local artisans by shopping at the mela's stalls.

Art without words

Savitaben and Bhikhabhai Prajapati, a couple from Ahmedabad who can neither hear nor speak, have made their craft their way of talking to the world. Their stall is full of handmade torans, the decorative hangings Gujarati homes put over the door at festivals. They make traditional designs as well as new ones in different colours, many worked with cowrie shells, with careful attention to colour, shape and small detail. Their work keeps a traditional Gujarati craft alive and has made them self-reliant.

Kavitaben Patel holds up a beaded hanging at her stall Visitors browse handloom clothes and leather bags along a row of stalls at the Akota mela Savitaben and Bhikhabhai Prajapati stand in their stall, its walls hung with colourful handmade torans Savitaben Prajapati unfolds an embroidered red toran on the table as Bhikhabhai looks on Bhikhabhai Prajapati shows a round beaded toran hanging against a wall of their work
Stalls at the Swadeshi Mela, Akota, including the Prajapatis' torans. Photo: Gujarat Information Bureau (select a photo to open the original).

More from Vadodara: horticulture farmers can apply for three new schemes by November 15. Browse RERA-registered projects in Vadodara.

Source

  • Gujarat Information Bureau, district information office (વડોદરા): press release dated 3 November 2026, “વોકલ ફોર લોકલના આહવાનને વડોદરાનો આવકાર: સ્વદેશી મેળામા નાગરિકોની ભારે ભીડ” (release ID 55711). Available on GIB's District Releases page.
  • Gujarat Information Bureau, district information office (વડોદરા): press release dated 3 November 2026, “શબ્દો વિના સંવાદ, કલાથી સર્જે છે ઉત્સવનો શણગાર: સવિતાબેન અને ભીખાભાઈ પ્રજાપતિની અનોખી કલા” (release ID 55708). Available on GIB's District Releases page.
  • Photos: Gujarat Information Bureau.