Bhubaneswar: Ekamra Haat, a one-stop shopping destination for Odisha and Handloom ethnic crafts, opened to the public after 18 months on Saturday.
Haat, with 83 stalls and eight direct demonstration units, offering marketing platforms to craftsmen and weavers from all states to sell their products.
With the reopening of updated work-cum-recreational places, covid craftsmen and weavers have sighed relieved.
The strict Covid-19 guidelines will be followed by HICKA, said the authorities.
“During the last 18 months there was absolutely no business and we passed a serious financial crisis.
Haat reopened before the celebration season brought us a little relief,” Sukanti Das, an artisan liquor from Ballasore District.
Of the total 83 warung, 56 is for handicrafts, while there are 27 kiosks for the handloom sector.
Visitors in Haat can directly buy handmade products from craftsmen and weavers and can also learn about their products and their origins through direct demonstrations.
Haat, which functions starting at 10am to 21:00, also has an open theater, ATM, parking lot and food court.
It was a state institution for the development of art and craft managing facilities.
Previously managed by Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation.
Haat was handed over to the Handloom, Textile and Handicraft craft department in October last year.
Open ethnic hub after 18 months
