Ranchi, July 3: To cash in on Shravani Mela festivities, the Jharkhand Silk Textile and Handicraft Development Corporation (Jharcraft) has decided to organise a fair in eight districts from July 8.

With an aim to promote sale of handicraft and silk items, Jharcraft has decided to organise a fortnight festival, Sawan Mahotsav, in Ranchi, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Giridih, Daltonganj, Dumka, Jamshedpur and Chaibasa.

At the festival, around 10 kiosks will be set up which will sell tussar items, salwar suits, readymade garments, bed covers, carpets, cotton kurtis, towels, dokra, terracotta, tribal jewellery, jute and leather products. The fair will continue till July 22.

Dhirendar Kumar, the director of state handloom, sericulture and handicraft department, told The Telegraph today that the aim behind organising this festival is to connect visitors with the rural artisans. “If we get a good response from visitors then we might extend the festival by a few more days,” he said.

“The fair will provide an opportunity for artisan-visitor interface. Handicraft and silk items will be available at a reasonable price since there is no involvement of middlemen,” Kumar said.

He added that though the fair had nothing to do with Shravani Mela, it would be held at this time so that residents of other districts can also visit a fair and enjoy themselves.

“The people of other districts should also get an opportunity to celebrate this festival though they are miles away from Deoghar,” the director said.

During the course of the fair, Jharcraft has also decided to distribute folders among the visitors free of cost. The organisation will print 5,000-10,000 folders that will contain information on silk spinning, rearing, weaving and designing of handicraft items for generating employment.

“In each folder we have mentioned the amount that can be earned by silk spinning or designing that ranges between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000. If any visitor is interested to design or spin silk they can visit our office and start business with us,” the director said.

The enterprise have also decided to distribute brochures that will contain information on kantha stitch, dokra, terracotta, tribal jewellery, lac bangles, wood craft, paintings, jute and leather items.

Jharcraft will also open three urban haats at Hazaribagh, Deoghar and Parasnath during Shravan.