Mahalakshmi Saras 2020 at BKC, MMRDA Grounds, Bandra

Mahalakshmi Saras 2020 at BKC, MMRDA Grounds, Bandra

It's that time of the year in Mumbai when the mornings are pleasant, the breeze is cool. An air of expectation soon after the onset of the new year is also prevalent. In the midst of this celebratory mood arrives Mahalakshmi Saras, with the added sweetness from the villages of rural Maharashtra and India.
Yes, Mahalakshmi Saras is indeed the most awaited exhibition of products made by rural women entrepreneurs.
In it's seventeenth year now, the exhibition has grown from from strength to strength. Among the 511 stalls, it is the seventy food stalls which garner much attention and in fact are the most sought after for the variety of delicacies from rural Maharashtra. The meal rustled by women here includes the famous Zunka Bhakri, Thecha, Vangyache Bharit-( roasted-minced and spiced brinjals), Pooranpoliche Mande-( large Indian bread filled with sweet jaggery filling), Hurdaa- fresh jowar roasted and also its Bhakri- Indian bread, different varieties of Bhaji, Bhel, Kolhapuri Pandhra Tambda Rassa- ( spicy kolhapuri non-veg gravy) , Nagpur Saoji ( spicy veg or non-veg gravy), Marathwada Dahi Dhapate , Gavhaachi Kheer ( Wheat Kheer - sweet dish ), Konkan fish etc. In short it is a foodie's paradise.
The exhibition area is divided into handicrafts, handlooms, textiles, jewellery, art and craft, food items and food grains, health food, organic products, detergents, spices, masalas, paapd, footwear, bags, purses and home utility articles.
There is huge variety among silk and cotton sarees like Tusser silks, Paithanis, Irkal, Kantha, Chanderi, Kanjivaram, Manipuri, Pochampalli, Bandhani, Sambalpuri, Banarasi and host of other well-known fabrics. Dupattas and kurtis of different variety are available. Textiles from from different states to spruce up your wardrobe and ethnic accessories and jewellery to add to their beauty. A variety of footwear from Kolhapuri chappals to Mojdis and other types of footwear are available. So one can get dressed from head to toe with things purchased at Mahalakshmi Saras.
Among the food are a variety of grains produced by the women in their own fields. These include hand-pounded rice, black rice rich in proteins, unpolished dals, lentils, coarse grains, various types of flours. The spices from different districts are most sought after as also the turmeric. So there are a variety of Masalas like godaa masala, kala masala, dhaniya, jeera, dry ginger powder, chicken masala all made with a rural touch and difficult to get in Mumbai. The variety of chutneys like groundnut, till, kaarlyachi chutney, tamarind etc are mouthwatering. Different kinds of paapad, kurdaayaa, chips, fryums will be also be available. Soaps, detergents and phenyle are also made by women.
Health foods like ragi cookies, jowar, bajra and wheat cookies, soya products, roasted grains, honey are extremely popular.
Therefore the highlight of this year is the Nutri Villa packed with nutritious options like the ragi cookies and Jowar cookies from Palghar and Wardha , Sitafal rabdi ( Custard apple pulp ), Jamun shots, Ambadi juice from the jungles of  Gadhchiroli , Pomegranate juice from Solapur.
Our 5000 plus cadre of Krishi Sakhis and Pashu Sakhis have transformed agriculture and animal husbandry and made them sustainable. They will take you to the next level when you enter the world of livelihoods this time. You will be able to see a demonstration of mushroom cultivation, a seed bank, hydroponic grass and bee cultivation.
Our efficient Banking Correspondent Sakhis or BC Sakhis will support you with all your banking needs and transactions. You could withdraw or deposit cash, open an account, transfer funds or take insurance while shopping or eating ar Mahalakshmi Saras.
The evenings are going to be fun filled with performances by many greats like Suresh Wadkar, Kailash Kher, Sanjivin Belande, Milind Ingle and Avadhoot Gupte. Swar Umed is a program with performances by singers of MSRLM.
Mahalakshmi Saras therefore is not just an exhibition it is a celebration of life. However beneath the celebration are struggles of women who have toiled hard to make it successful against all odds. Their welcoming smiles may hide their sorrows but each of their products reflect their devotion to their work.

P.S. The Mahalakshmi Saras will begin from 17th January 2020 and will end on 29th January 2020 at BKC, MMRDA Grounds, Bandra