Calcutta fairs

Calcutta fairs have become an intrinsic part of the city of joy. The city witnesses a vast array of fairs that keep the people engrossed with the task of planning as to what to buy from each fair. Each of the fairs of Calcutta India has something unique to offer. In this section, we will provide you information about the popular fairs in Kolkata India:

Calcutta Book Fair

Time: last week of January
Venue: Maidan, Kolkata
Significance: it is held every year to meet the growing need of public for books

Calcutta book fair was initiated in the year 1976 by the Calcutta Publishers' and Booksellers' Guild. It was started on a small scale, but today, it is the largest book fair in Asia. Book fair of Kolkata India was conducted in order to meet the public demand for more and more exciting books. It was at that time that there were not adequate bookshops from where people could buy the books of their choice. Book fair of Calcutta India has been gaining momentum every year.

The fair usually starts on the last Wednesday of January. Initially, it was a weeklong event but popular demand has compelled the authorities to extend the duration of fair to 12 days in the year 2005. It is usually held at the Kolkata maidan. Most of the bookstalls are stocked with English and Bengali books. For Bengali books, some of the popular bookstalls include Ananda Publishers, Deb Sahitya Kutir, and Mitra Ghosh Publishers and for English books, the best bookstalls are Timely Books, Seagull Books, Rupa and Co and Penguin India.

Handloom Expo

Time: December-January
Duration: 21 days
Venue: Maidan in Kolkata
Significance: it acts a platform for showcasing all handloom products

Handloom expo is hosted every alternate year in the Kolkata Maidan. It was initiated long back in the year 1982. Calcutta handloom expo is a 21 days long event that gives a fabulous opportunity to the people of Calcutta as well as the tourists to shop anything from bed sheets to clothes at the most reasonable prices. Handloom expo of Kolkata India has been attracting more and more people every year. It is sponsored by the State Govt with the support of Central govt.

The fair has been continuously getting a very good response from public and participants. The fair consists of nearly 130 participants, who get a superb chance to showcase their exquisite handloom products. The participants can be grouped under three broad categories, namely, state level upper society, primary society and national level organization. The fair provides a golden opportunity to Calcuttans to get well versed with a vast range of handloom products. 

Poush Mela

Time: late December
Significance: the fair is held to celebrate the commemoration of Rabindranath Tagore's Shantiniketan

Poush mela is a three day long event that is held every year to mark the commemoration of Rabindranath Tagore's Shantiniketan. Calcutta Poush mela usually takes place during late December. It is during this fair that prayers are offered. The celebration of Poush mela of Kolkata India is not just limited to the religious aspect, but also extends to the display of folk performances and conduct of cultural fests and craft bazaars. In fact, it can be said that this three day long festival cum fair gives an absolutely fantastic opportunity to the tourists to explore the culture of Shantiniketan. It has been able to attract more and more number of tourists every year. The last day of fair is dedicated to all those who were associated with Shantiniketan. 

Vidyasagar Mela

Time: December- January
Venue: Kolkata Maidan
Significance: it is celebrated to spread the teachings of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Vidyasagar mela is celebrated in the remembrance of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. The basic aim is to spread his teachings and social messages. Calcutta Vidyasagar Mela also attempts to showcase the cultural aspects of the state. The special features of the Vidyasagar Mela Kolkata India consist of the health camps and seminars. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a multifaceted personality who made a significant contribution in virtually all aspects of Indian life then be it education, culture, religion etc.

This unique mela was launched for the first time in Calcutta in the year 1994. It was held at the Maidan of Kolkata. The fair is mainly held as a part of social welfare to spread awareness among the people through the systematic spread of education and participatory developmental programmes. It also throws light on the folk cultures of different districts. Cultural competitions consisting of dance, song, drawing, extempore etc are conducted to promote kids. Also medical services are provided in this fair.

Lexpo Fair

Time: December-January
Venue: Kolkata Maidan
Significance: it displays the various products and technologies of leather industry

Lexpo fair was conducted for the first time in the year 1977. It was launched by the Indian Leather Technology Association. It is a platform that allows not just the big players but also the small-scale leather industries to exhibit their products and technology. Calcutta leather Lexpo fair usually takes place during the period between December-January at the maidan of Kolkata. Read on to know more about Lexpo fair of Kolkata India:

The participants of this stupendous fair include several leather production houses and leather technology schools from different parts of the country. The main aim of this fair is to give a fair chance to the small-scale industries to come forward and display their specialties. Also, it helps to create awareness among masses about the utility of leather. 

Crafts Bazaar

Time: January
Venue: Calcutta Maidan
Significance: it helps to bring in light the products of poor craftsmen and other loom based weavers

Crafts bazaar is one of the most popular fairs that is held in Calcutta in the month of January. Most of the Kolkata fairs including Calcutta crafts bazaar is held at the Calcutta Maidan. The basic aim of conducting Craft Bazar Of Kolkata India is to provide a parlance where small-scale industries and other poor craftsmen can get an opportunity to display their products. Craftsmen and artisans come from different parts of the country to participate in this grand fair. There is a complete plethora of stalls and pavilions that exhibit a vast array of products ranging from handloom products, bed linens and clothing, crockery, handmade jewelry to other beautiful decorative items for household. The fair usually extends till two weeks

Sonar Sansar

Time: March-April
Significance: this exhibition showcases superb golden ornaments

Sonar sansar is truly a unique exhibition cum fair that gives a fabulous opportunity to the leading jewelry houses and designers to display their splendid golden ornaments. Calcutta Sonar sansar was initiated in the year 1997. It is solely organized by Swarna Bachao Committee under the sponsorship of the World Gold Council. The Exponent Associates (P) Ltd supports this mega event. Sonar Sansar of Kolkata India is a delight for those who wish to glance the rare and mind-blowing jewelry of the best Indian artisans. The fair is usually held during the period between March-April. In this fair, a carat-weighing machine is also installed, so that if the customer wants to ensure the exact carat weight they can.