Leadership and dignitaries
Joining the inaugural ceremony as Guest of Honour is Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt Annapurna Devi. The occasion will also be graced by Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Shri Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, and Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan. Their presence underscores the festival’s national importance and the government’s continued commitment to strengthening rural livelihoods and celebrating India’s culinary traditions.
Women-led entrepreneurship at the heart
Central to the Saras Aajeevika Food Festival is the participation of around 300 “Lakhpati Didis” and women from self-help groups (SHGs) who represent the transformative power of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). Through NRLM, SHG women have sharpened skills in food preparation and rural product development, turning traditional knowledge into sustainable livelihoods. At Sunder Nursery, these entrepreneurs will operate 62 stalls—50 serving live food and 12 offering natural food products—showcasing both culinary excellence and market-ready rural enterprises.
Where to go and when
The festival is hosted at Sunder Nursery, Bharat Scouts and Guides Marg, Nizamuddin, adjacent to Humayun’s Tomb. Visitors can explore the stalls throughout the day and into the evening, with the festival open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily, until 9 December 2025. With easy access from central Delhi and key heritage sites nearby, Sunder Nursery offers a scenic backdrop that complements the culinary journey.
What’s on the menu
With over 500 dishes to savor, the lineup offers a tour of India’s kitchens—from Himalayan hearths to coastal spice routes. Highlights include Himachali siddu, Uttarakhand’s tandoor tea, Jammu & Kashmir’s famed kalari kulcha, Hyderabadi dum biryani, Northeastern momos, Bengali fried fish, Rajasthan’s ker sangri, gatte ki sabzi and bajra roti, West Bengal’s hilsa fish curry, Telangana-style chicken, Kerala’s Malabar biryani, Bihar’s litti chokha, and Punjab’s sarson ka saag with makki ki roti. States including Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Gujarat add even more depth to the culinary canvas.
Culture, cuisine, and community
Beyond the flavors, the Saras Aajeevika Food Festival allows visitors to engage with the social fabric of India’s regions—learning the stories behind dishes, the ingredients that define them, and the women-led enterprises that sustain them. Each stall serves as a window into local customs and community networks, making the festival as educational as it is indulgent. By anchoring the event in Delhi’s public space, organizers invite city residents and visitors from neighboring states to connect directly with rural producers and traditions.
Empowerment through NRLM
The festival exemplifies the objectives of the Ministry of Rural Development’s flagship NRLM program, which seeks to reduce poverty by enabling income-generating activities and collective entrepreneurship among rural women. The “Lakhpati Didi” initiative highlights pathways for SHG members to achieve sustainable earnings, while platforms like the Saras Aajeevika Food Festival provide visibility, market access, and the confidence that comes from direct engagement with consumers. The result is a virtuous cycle, where culinary heritage fuels livelihoods and livelihoods preserve culinary heritage.
Visitor tips
To make the most of your visit, arrive early to beat peak crowds and plan a route through the 62 stalls to sample across regions. Consider pairing your food trail with a stroll through Sunder Nursery’s gardens and nearby Humayun’s Tomb for a heritage-rich day out. Bring reusable water bottles and carry light—most stalls offer tasting portions, making it easier to try multiple dishes without overloading your itinerary.
