Bhubaneswar, Jan. 3: Sisir Saras fair showcases a range of rural products by around 600 craftsmen from across the country here.

Around 294 kiosks have been set up at the fair that was inaugurated by chief minister Naveen Patnaik on the Exhibition Ground in the city today.

Intricate cane and bamboo works of Assam and Tripura, delicate paper mache products of Pondicherry, handicrafts made of carved wood and stone, dokra crafts, durry carpets, dry flowers from Manipur, wooden artefacts from Karnataka, jute bags of Bengal and madhubani and pattachitra paintings are some of the major attractions at the fair.

Apparels made from various hand-woven fabrics, including silk, tussar and cotton, are also available at the fair.

Some of the prominent handlooms products include meenakari from Rajasthan, chanderi silk of Madhya Pradesh, woollen products of Manipur, multi-coloured bandhani of Gujarat and phulkari-designed salwar suits of Punjab.

Another highlight of the fair is the availability a large number of natural food ingredients, including spices and items such as phula badi and sabu pampad. Visitors can also buy various homemade pickles prepared from mango, lemon, garlic, mint and coriander. Food kiosks selling traditional delicacies from various parts of the country are available.

Cultural performances by troupes from various states have been scheduled during the evenings.

Special demonstration kiosks on the making of the popular sabai craft of Mayurbhanj and paper mache products of Keonjhar have also been set up. Experts in the field are skilfully portraying the processes through which the crafts are prepared.

Craftsmen are hopeful of a profitable business. 'I have been coming to the fair for the past three years, and I know that the fair attracts a large number of people. I am looking forward to a good sale,' said Punya Chandra Behera, an artisan from Keonjhar.

The fair, organised by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society, an autonomous body under the panchayati raj department, aims to provide a platform to the rural artisans to market their products.

'The fair ensures that there is no middleman between the buyer and the seller, benefiting the both. This year, we are aiming at garnering business of around Rs 8 crore,' said panchayati raj minister Arun Sahu.