Mudhi Mansa & Macha Ambila take center stage at Subhadra Shakti Mela 2025

Bhubaneswar: Subhadra Shakti Mela 2025 continues to captivate visitors at Janata Maidan, Bhubaneswar, with an incredible display of Odisha’s rich heritage, craftsmanship, and women-led entrepreneurship.

Featuring over 300 stalls, the mela is a grand platform for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Producer Groups (PGs) to showcase their diverse range of products, including handlooms, handicrafts, organic produce, home essentials, processed food & spices, and wellness products. Among the many attractions, the food court has emerged as a major crowd-puller, offering an authentic taste of Odisha’s traditional cuisine prepared by SHGs from across the state.

Day 3 saw some exceptional highlights from the food court, with SHGs offering beloved Odia delicacies. The Mayurbhanj Mudi Mansa, prepared by Mayur Mudhi Producer Group, continued to be a visitor favorite, generating an impressive ₹38,200 in sales by the end of Day 2. Another highlight was the Macha Ambila, prepared by Diganta Pariba WSHG, which has already served over 700 visitors by the end of Day 2, further proving the popularity of traditional SHG-led food enterprises.

Adding to the excitement of the day was the visit of renowned actress Anu Choudhury, who interacted with SHG members and praised the diverse products showcased at the mela.

She expressed admiration for the craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit of Odisha’s women, encouraging more people to support locally-made SHG products.

During her visit, she purchased a beautifully handweaved stole from Utkal Grameen Producer Group, Kendrapara, and exquisite tribal jewelry from Maa Banadurga SHG, Nabarangpur, further endorsing the talent and dedication of SHG entrepreneurs.

The evening cultural performances added a mesmerizing touch to the event. ‘Nrityanjali Traditional Kathak Institute’ enthralled the audience with a captivating Kathak dance performance, showcasing the elegance and tradition of classical Indian dance. This was followed by a spectacular melody night by singer Prabhupada Mohanty and his team, who kept the audience engaged with soulful music and high-energy performances.

As the Subhadra Shakti Mela 2025 enters its next phase, excitement continues to build, with many more attractions, cultural events, and business opportunities lined up. The 9-day grand celebration of women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship will continue until 2nd March 2025, offering visitors a chance to experience the best of SHG products, delectable cuisine, and vibrant cultural performances.

The mela witnessed an overwhelming response on Day 3, with a footfall of over 17 000 visitors and a total sales turnover of ₹47 lakh recorded by the end of the day. With each passing day, the enthusiasm among visitors and SHG members continues to grow, reinforcing the success of this unique initiative.