More than 100 stalls at the Saras Food Festival in Dehradun are bringing traditional Uttarakhand foods, handicrafts and products from other parts of India to the Rangers Ground. The event is also giving women’s self-help groups a direct platform to meet customers and promote their products.
The festival includes food, clothing, handmade goods and entertainment facilities such as rides. Visitors can shop for local products, sample freshly prepared dishes and learn about goods made by women’s groups across Uttarakhand.
Some stall operators said rain reduced customer movement and sales during the early days. Although visitors continued to arrive, several vendors said business remained below their expectations.
Apple chutney and traditional foods from Mori
The Jai Matri Shakti Self-Help Group from Mori in Uttarkashi district is selling a range of traditional products. Group president Manju Rana said Mori’s apple chutney is available at ₹300 per kilogram.
The stall also offers Patiyud pakoras, siddu, selu and urad dal pakoras. Through Hilans, the group is selling Uttarkashi rajma, red rice, black sesame and bhatt dal. Multigrain biscuits are also available.
Rana said festivals of this kind help women build recognition for their products and communicate directly with customers. The opportunity is important for groups seeking wider markets beyond their local areas.
Chamoli products support 20-25 women
Products linked to the Bhu Kripa Farm in Chamoli are being sold through the Ishtdev group in Umedpur, Premnagar. Abhishek Negi said the group prepares mountain pulses, garlic, arse, rotane, honey, turmeric and pickles.
Around 20-25 women are associated with the group and prepare the products at the farm. Negi said visitors had responded positively, particularly to natural and handmade goods.
The farm’s products are also available online. Customers can contact Bhu Kripa Farm through Instagram and Facebook, according to the information shared at the festival.
Gooseberry farm explains natural ingredients
Doon Gooseberry Farm from Kotda Kalyanpur in Sahaspur block is displaying products made from locally sourced fruit. The farm grows amla, mango and lemon, while buransh and malta are sourced from villages. Sea buckthorn is brought from Leh.
The farm’s operator said visitor movement was satisfactory, but explaining the difference between natural products and cheaper alternatives remained difficult. She said the farm’s buransh products use buransh and khand instead of added colour and essence.
That difference in ingredients and preparation can make the products more expensive than low-cost substitutes. The farm’s products can also be purchased through its website.
Kalsi group plans online sales
A handloom women’s self-help group from Haripur in Kalsi is selling woollen products at the festival. Member Nandini said the group has 5 women who make shawls, basket-style jackets for women and men, and other seasonal woollens.
The group currently operates from home and runs 3 shops. Rain affected sales over the past few days, although business improved later. The group is now planning to begin online sales.
Fresh food prepared by Bering women
The Kotna Devi Self-Help Group from the Bering block of Pithoragarh district is serving Maggi, momos, tea, coffee and other vegetarian dishes. Group member Vimla Devi said the women prepare the food fresh at the stall.
She said rain kept visitor numbers below expectations. However, joining a self-help group has enabled the women to attend different fairs, meet new customers and work outside their homes.
Visitors also spoke positively about the local products and food. Dehradun resident Alok Uniyal said buying Pahadi products supports women in villages and called for greater promotion of local and Indian goods.
Poonam visited the festival with her children and said they liked the traditional dishes. Dehradun resident Yograj Singh praised the food available at the stalls and said cleanliness was good.
The festival brings products from different self-help groups together in one place. Some groups already sell through shops, while others use online platforms or are preparing to begin digital sales.
The vendors’ experiences also highlight the need to explain product quality, ingredients, pricing and production methods to customers. For women entrepreneurs, the event offers a route to new buyers and a chance to expand their businesses.
Conclusion
The Dehradun Saras Food Festival is connecting more than 100 stalls of Uttarakhand foods, handicrafts and handmade goods with customers. Despite rain-related pressure on sales, participating women’s groups are using the event to build recognition, reach new markets and explore online growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where is the Saras Food Festival being held?
The festival is being held at Rangers Ground in Dehradun.
Q. How many stalls are part of the festival?
More than 100 stalls have been set up at the event.
Q. What products are available from the Mori group?
The group is selling apple chutney, Patiyud pakoras, siddu, selu, urad dal pakoras, rajma, red rice, black sesame, bhatt dal and multigrain biscuits.
Q. Which products does the Bhu Kripa Farm group sell?
Its products include mountain pulses, garlic, arse, rotane, honey, turmeric and pickles.
Q. Where does the sea buckthorn used by Doon Gooseberry Farm come from?
The farm brings sea buckthorn from Leh.
Q. How many women are in the Kalsi handloom group?
The Haripur group has 5 women members.
Q. What food is the Bering self-help group serving?
The group is serving Maggi, momos, tea, coffee and other vegetarian dishes prepared fresh at the festival.
Q. How has rain affected the festival stalls?
Some stall operators said rain reduced visitor numbers and affected sales, although business improved for some vendors later.
