From Rajasthani crafts to Bengali sarees: IIMTF turns Chandigarh into a shopper’s paradise

The India International Mega Trade Fair (IIMTF) has transformed Parade Ground in Sector 17 into a vibrant showcase of India’s varied crafts, traditions, flavours and entrepreneurial spirit. Held from August 21 to 31, the fair brings together exhibitors from across India and abroad, offering visitors a wide variety of handcrafted decor, textiles, food, books, and lifestyle products. Organised jointly by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industries, G S Marketing Associates and The Planners, the IIMTF features more than 35,000 unique products from eight countries and 18 Indian states. The exhibition was inaugurated by Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, with Justice Shabihul Hasnain, S Manmohan Kohli, CEO of Aroma Group, and Neena Singh, former EVP of HDFC Bank, attending as guests of honour. The organisers said Chandigarh, as a dynamic and smart city, provides strong opportunities for business engagements, while the fair serves as a platform for joint ventures, strategic partnerships and buyer-seller meetings.

Walking through the exhibition feels like a cultural tour across India, with stalls showcasing traditional crafts, home decor, fashion, food and books. Among the attractions is the Sai Gift and Decor, which offers peacock gold-leafing decor pieces that are washable and last up to 10 years, with prices ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 1 lakh. The stall also features outdoor fountains equipped with motor systems. Exotic Industries offers a range of products priced between Rs 200 and Rs 500, while Best India Craft showcases lightweight wooden trays with intricate designs, priced from Rs 300 to Rs 1,500.

The brass section is another major attraction, featuring House of Brass by Lilaji, co-founded by Amisha Kakkar, which offers handcrafted brass products priced from Rs 150 to Rs 60,000. Visitors looking for sustainable tableware can explore Bamboo Crockery, where products are priced between Rs 100 and Rs 700. For book lovers, Books and More, associated with Delhi’s wholesale and retail market, has a collection for children and adults, featuring titles such as Atomic Habits, Defender, Wonders of the Solar System and the Universe, The Art of Spending Money, and Manifest. Books are available in the price range of Rs 20 to Rs 3,000. Ultra Care Chandigarh, which also operates online exhibitions, offers products priced between Rs 200 and Rs 500. Aman Collection, represented by Amandeep Kaur from Noida, adds another dimension to the fair’s fashion and lifestyle offerings with prices ranging from Rs 1700 to Rs 3000.

Food stalls bring flavours from different regions, including Gujarat’s Rajkot, known for its namkeen and roasted snacks. Visitors can sample millet chips, roasted and multigrain snacks, murukku, corn chocolate bites and corn cheese products, with prices ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 5,000. Khakra and five-flavour panipuri products are also available, with prices ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,500. The exhibition further features Rajasthani crafts, Bengali sarees, traditional textiles, leather products from Kolkata, Gujarati chaniya cholis, Pakistani suits from Noida, wooden trays from Moradabad, and handcrafted products from Gujarat. With its wide variety of products and price points, the IIMTF offers visitors not just a shopping experience but also an opportunity to explore the craftsmanship, traditions, food, and entrepreneurial spirit of different regions under one roof. The fair remains open daily from 11 am to 9 pm until August 31.