Can you image a marketplace which remains on wheels, travelling from one place to another exhibiting the handmade weaves from across India leaving you spoiled for choice?
At times this might sound like a dream however this dream will turn into reality on National Handloom Day falling on August 7 as the Ministry of Textiles launched a unique mobile retail initiative — “Haat on Wheels” — at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi.
“Haat on Wheels” is a traveling handloom marketplace showcasing 116 distinct weaves from across India, representing the country’s rich textile heritage.
This innovative mobile haat will cover key public areas across Delhi-NCR — including markets, art zones, and residential societies — offering consumers direct access to high-quality, handmade, and sustainable handloom products.
The initiative aligns with the government’s larger goal of empowering artisans, enhancing market access, and promoting sustainable economic growth under the theme “My Handloom, My Pride; My Product, My Pride.”
“Haat on Wheels” bridges the gap between weavers and buyers, promotes “vocal for local,” and fosters appreciation for indigenous craftsmanship in urban India, said Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles.
Alongside the mobile initiative, an Exclusive Handloom Expo is also being held at Handloom Haat till 10 August, featuring live weaving demonstrations and retail stalls from master weavers across the country.
The expo and mobile haat together aim to revive interest in traditional crafts, provide a boost to artisans, and ensure handloom heritage continues to thrive in modern retail and lifestyle spaces.