Handicraft Hoarders, Hit Up Lokotsav In Goa To Shop From 500 Plus Stalls

A cultural and shopping extravaganza of sorts, Lokotsav 2019 is in its 20th edition. It kickstarted on January 11 and will be on till Jan 20. With participation from vendors across the country, this one is one of the biggest food and shopping festivals that Goa sees every year (not counting the massive night markets, of course). The idea is to celebrate indigenous crafts and handmade everything. There are also cultural performances by troupes from Goa, Haryana, Assam, Gujarat and other Indian states. These folk artists will perform through the day.

Pottery, lamps, handicrafts, juttis, ceramics, bed linen, costume jewellery, textiles, traditional saris, foods, traditional Goan/ Rajasthani delicacies… You name it and it’s there at the mela. There are even stalls selling Rajathani food like mawa kachoris, moong dal halwa, daal baati churma and more. Or if you need a dabeli or khandvi on the go, there's a man selling Gujarati grub at the food court. Oh, and that kulfi stall is forever crowded. 

Kala Academy Goa in Panjim is central and easily accessible. Over the years, it has established itself as one of the most prominent places for crafts and performing arts in the state. Having said that, the festival makes good use of all the available space with a grand stage for performances and all the stalls huddled close together in neat alleys. 

There’s no entry fee and you can drop by anytime between 10am and 10pm.

Parking is an issue here and despite having a parking lot dedicated to fair visitors, you will not be allowed in soon as it's full. Be careful while leaving your vehicle around for we saw a whole row of cars on the road clamped.