The 10-day Khadi Mahotsav 2025, held at the Central Sanskrit University campus in Gomti Nagar, created a new sales record this year. Organised under the theme “From Thread to Heritage”, the fair achieved a total business of ₹3.20 crore. Compared to last year’s ₹2.25 crore, this marks a growth of nearly 42%.
Notably, the final day witnessed the heaviest rush, as visitors continued shopping till late evening. Khadi garments, herbal products, jute handicrafts, and terracotta items remained the top choices among customers. Moreover, the festival attracted buyers not only from Lucknow but also from nearby districts, making it a major local attraction.
Participation and Stalls Across Districts
This year, a total of 160 entrepreneurs participated in the event. Among them were 32 Khadi institutions, 120 village industry units, and eight terracotta (Mati Kala) stalls. Artisans from districts such as Lucknow, Muzaffarnagar, Barabanki, and Gorakhpur showcased their products. As a result, visitors enjoyed a wide range of traditional and eco-friendly products in one place.
According to several exhibitors, including Prem Kumar from Swarajya Ashram and Satendra Kumar from Gramin Seva Sansthan, the footfall was significantly higher than last year. In addition, Abbas Ansari from Muzaffarnagar and Anjali Singh, a jute artisan, shared that the buying trend was stronger this year. Meanwhile, Premchand from Barabanki and Prof. Nitin Singh of Royal Honey also pointed out that youth participation had played a key role in boosting sales.
Youth Interest Drives Khadi’s New Image
Interestingly, a large number of young visitors attended the event throughout the ten days. Therefore, many traders observed that Khadi is no longer seen only as traditional clothing. Instead, it is now viewed as a modern lifestyle choice by the youth.
At the closing ceremony, Board CEO Shishir Singh thanked all entrepreneurs and organisers. He stated that Khadi has become a shared identity of cultural heritage and modern consumers alike. Consequently, the success of this year’s fair reflects a growing trust in local and handmade products.
