Deendayal Hastkala Sankul (Trade Facilitation Center & CraftsMuseum)
Trade Facilitation Center, Varanasi
PROJECT BRIEF
Deendayal Hastkala Sankul is a modern and integrated facility developed by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, to support the handloom and handicraft sector of Varanasi and nearby areas. The complex serves as a comprehensive trade facilitation center designed to preserve and promote the rich traditional crafts of the ancient city of Varanasi.
Location: Bada Lalpur, Chandmari, Varanasi-221003, Uttar Pradesh
Land Area: 7.93 acres
Built-up Area: 43,450 sq. meters
Project Cost: ₹300 Crores
Foundation Stone: Laid by Hon’ble Prime Minister on November 7, 2014
Inauguration: First phase inaugurated on December 22, 2016; Fully dedicated on September 22,
2017
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
1.Preservation and Promotion: Preserve and promote the rich traditional crafts of Varanasi, including handlooms, handicrafts, carpets, and the world-famous Banarasi sarees 2.Trade Facilitation: Provide an enabling environment and platform for showcasing Indian handlooms and handicrafts to both domestic and international buyers 3.Supply Chain Linkages: Establish direct market connections between artisans, weavers, entrepreneurs and buyers to enhance trade competitiveness 4.Cultural Showcase: Display Varanasi’s artistic heritage through museum exhibitions, live demonstrations, and audio-visual presentations to attract domestic and international tourists 5.Skill Development: Support artisans and weavers in understanding trade formalities, regulatory requirements, and global market standards 6.Economic Empowerment: Boost the economic development of Varanasi’s handicraft sector by providing modern infrastructure and global market access
INFRASTRUCTURE LAYOUT
The complex is divided into five blocks offering comprehensive facilities:
BLOCK A – Marts & Commercial Spaces
∙50 Marts on G+3 floors (Ground + 3 upper floors)
∙Commercial spaces for artisans and traders
∙Shops, offices, and retail outlets for handicraft products
BLOCK B – Convention & Event Facilities
∙Convention Hall: Seating capacity of approximately 1,000 people
∙Atrium Hall: Seating capacity of approximately 500 people
∙Space for exhibitions, cultural programs, and trade shows
BLOCK C & D – Educational Institution
∙Handed over to NIFT Varanasi (National Institute of Fashion Technology)
BLOCK E – Crafts Museum
∙Three-gallery museum showcasing:
∙Handloom Gallery with 41 different types of weaves
∙Carpet & Dari Gallery
∙Handicrafts Gallery
∙Amphitheatre for cultural performances
ADDITIONAL FACILITIES
∙Basement Parking: Two-level basement with capacity for 500+ vehicles (370 cars + 430 two-wheelers)
∙Food court and restaurants (Handed over to NIFT)
∙Guest rooms (18 twin-bedded) and dormitories (15 rooms, 81 beds capacity)
∙Banking facilities
∙Postal Facility
∙Central air conditioning and ventilation
∙Fire protection and public address systems
∙Lifts and escalators
∙Centrally monitored CCTV security system
∙Power backup facilities
Crafts Museum, Varanasi
In the year 2014 Government of India announced setting up of Trade Facilitation Center and Crafts Museum to develop and promote handloom and handicraft products and carry forward the rich tradition of Varanasi. The foundation stone of the project was laid by the Honorable Prime Minister on 7th November 2014. This Trade Facilitation Centre and Crafts Museum named ‘Deendayal Hastkala Sankul’ was dedicated to the public on 22nd September 2017. The built-up area of this museum is 4300 sq. meter. In front of the museum an open-air theatre or Amphitheatre is constructed where artists give musical performance in the evening on every Saturday & Sunday.
The crafts museum comprises Galleries of Handloom, Carpet and Durries on the ground floor, Handicrafts on the first floor and GI Gallery at Second Floor. On the ground floor of the Museum, History of carpets, their types, tools and raw materials for weaving carpets are displayed, in the Carpet and Durries gallery. A carpet loom is also placed near the gate with a half-woven carpet to provide comprehensive information to the visitors. A wide range of Banarasi sarees, dupattas, stitched garments etc. are displayed in textiles gallery. Along with these textiles, complete weaving process including their technique, materials and tools used in the weaving are also displayed. On the first floor in the Handicrafts gallery, an amazing collection of handicrafts of Varanasi and nearby areas is shown including famous Gulabi Meenakari or pink enamel work of Varanasi which includes a ricksha, decorated elephants, balancing eagle, horse, jewellery, attractive samples of wooden lacquerware and toys painted with vibrant colours, black pottery of Nizamabad, Azamgarh with silver painted designs, samples of metal repouse work, examples of zardozi work, glass beads of Varanasi and wonderful Jali or cutwork of soft stone. On this floor a collection of contemporary textiles is also displayed. This floor also has an immersive zone in which a short documentary on Varanasi’s art culture, its handloom and handicrafts, traditions and beliefs is shown every day. The Second floor of the Museum is dedicated to GI products of Handicrafts and Handloom. The gallery the total 362 artifacts of 182 items of Handicrafts and Handloom from all over the India are displayed with their GI details.
There is also facility of audio guide for the visitors. The visitors get in depth information about the crafts through the facility. In the evening a documentary of 20 minutes on glorious traditions of handicrafts, handloom & culture of Varanasi is screened through digital mapping projection in the Amphitheatre area on the outer walls of the museum.