Rajyotsav 2026: Traditional Crafts and Chhattisgarhi Flavours Draw Visitors in Nava Raipur: Video

Traditional crafts and flavours at Rajyotsav 2026 in Nava Raipur on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Top: A visitor explores metal handicrafts at Shilpgram. Bottom: A member of Manisha Women’s Self-Help Group serves Chhattisgarhi cuisine at the Garh Kalewa stall. Photos: primelookindia.com via CG/PR. Photos: primelookindia.com via CG/DPR

Jhara metalwork at Shilpgram and regional dishes served by Manisha Women’s Self-Help Group showcase Chhattisgarh’s heritage and local livelihoods

Key Highlights

• Shilpgram brings together traditional handicrafts and handmade products during the three-day Rajyotsav.
• Young artisan Pradeep Jhareka’s chhind palm sculpture draws appreciation for its depiction of tribal life.
• Visitors explore lost-wax metalwork, including figurines, decorative objects and traditional folk motifs.
• Manisha Women’s Self-Help Group serves chila, fara, chousela, thethri, khurmi and other regional favourites.
• The craft and food stalls provide opportunities for artisans and women entrepreneurs to reach customers.

Raipur: Traditional metal sculptures and freshly prepared Chhattisgarhi delicacies are drawing visitors at Rajyotsav 2026 in Nava Raipur, where local artisans and women’s self-help groups are showcasing the state’s cultural heritage through their skills and enterprise.

Organised at the Rajyotsav grounds to mark the 26th anniversary of Chhattisgarh’s formation, the three-day celebration features departmental exhibitions alongside displays of traditional crafts, handmade products and regional cuisine.

At Shilpgram, visitors are exploring intricate Jhara metalwork and learning about the traditions behind the objects. Meanwhile, the Garh Kalewa food stall operated by Manisha Women’s Self-Help Group is introducing festival-goers to a range of familiar and distinctive Chhattisgarhi flavours.

Together, the stalls demonstrate how traditional knowledge continues to support livelihoods while keeping local cultural practices visible.

Jhara Metalwork Takes Centre Stage

Jhara artworks have emerged as a particular attraction at Shilpgram, with sculptures, decorative pieces and folk figures made using the lost-wax casting technique drawing attention.

The exhibits reflect the close relationship between craft, nature and community life. Visitors are showing interest in both the finished pieces and the processes used to create them.

Among the participating artisans is Pradeep Jhareka from Kandurpali village in Sarangarh district, whose display includes a distinctive sculpture of a chhind palm tree.

The work depicts the tree’s importance in tribal life and culture, including the traditional practice of collecting its sap. Its detailed treatment brings an everyday activity into a sculptural form, offering visitors an insight into the community knowledge behind the artwork.

A Platform to Reach New Audiences

Jhareka said events such as Rajyotsav gave local craftspeople opportunities to exhibit their work and connect with people beyond their usual customer base.

“Events such as Rajyotsav give local artisans an opportunity to showcase their art and reach new people,” Jhareka said.

He noted that visitors were purchasing artworks as well as asking about their production methods and cultural significance. Sculptures of deities and traditional folk figures were also finding appreciation.

Such interactions allow artisans to explain the meaning and effort behind their work, making the exhibition a space for cultural exchange as well as sales.

Women Artisans Bring Bastar’s Traditions to Shilpgram

Young women artisans from Bastar are also participating with works inspired by the region’s traditions, natural surroundings and tribal life.

Their creations incorporate natural symbols and wildlife forms, conveying themes of cultural identity and conservation.

According to the state government release, Shilpgram forms part of efforts under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai to promote traditional arts and crafts and provide better platforms for artisans.

By bringing work from different regions together, the exhibition gives visitors an opportunity to experience the variety of Chhattisgarh’s craft traditions in one place.

Garh Kalewa Serves a Taste of Chhattisgarh

The celebration of heritage extends to the food stalls, where Manisha Women’s Self-Help Group, associated with Garh Kalewa near Ghadi Chowk in Raipur, is serving traditional Chhattisgarhi dishes.

The menu includes chila, fara, chousela, sabudana bada, bhajiya, thethri and khurmi, alongside other regional preparations.

The stall offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy local dishes while seeing the women’s culinary skills at work. For the group, preparing and serving these foods also helps carry forward recipes and food traditions associated with Chhattisgarhi households.

The range of dishes adds another dimension to Rajyotsav’s cultural presentation, allowing visitors to experience the state’s heritage through food as well as art.

Traditional Skills Supporting Household Incomes

For the women of Manisha Self-Help Group, regional cuisine is also a source of livelihood.

Earnings from preparing and selling traditional dishes help them support household expenses and move towards greater financial independence.

Their participation at Rajyotsav provides an opportunity to serve a wider audience and demonstrate how culinary knowledge can support income-generating work.

From the metalwork displayed at Shilpgram to the dishes served at Garh Kalewa, the festival highlights the people whose everyday skills help sustain Chhattisgarh’s traditions. Their participation connects the statehood celebrations with local enterprise, cultural preservation and opportunities for economic self-reliance.

Traditional flavours, enterprising women: A member of Manisha Women’s Self-Help Group speaks at the Garh Kalewa stall during Rajyotsav 2026 in Nava Raipur on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The group is serving Chhattisgarhi favourites while earning a livelihood and helping support their families. Video: primelookindia.com via CG/DPR