A visitor checks out kurtas at the 14th edition of National Handloom Expo at Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the fair on Wednesday.

There is a 10 per cent discount on every product at the 25 kiosks from Odisha. A special pavilion, which is a replica of the Dhauli Peace Pagoda, is hosting a live demonstration of the weaving process of various fabrics of Odisha. Apart from saris and salwar pieces, furnishings such as bed sheets, pillow covers and cushion covers are available at Rs 200 onwards.

Around 100 weavers, handloom clusters and apex bodies from various states across the country are taking part in the expo, hosted by Boyanika.

"I am expecting good transactions," said Akib Ahmed, a weaver from Jammu & Kashmir. The fair is on till March 3.

The state government is also setting up a textile museum at Gandamunda to showcase Odisha's handloom and handicraft items. "The museum's construction is in its last stage, and it will be open to the public shortly," said textile minister Snehangini Chhuria at the inaugural ceremony.

Text: Anwesha Ambaly; Picture: Sanjib Mukherjee