New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) From exquisite candles and jewellery to beautifully embroidered shawls and salwar-suits - a range of handicrafts made by leprosy patients is up for sale at the 17th Dastkaar Nature Bazaar in the capital.

Thronged by people, the fair, which started Nov 5 and will culminate Saturday, is organised by the Sasakawa India Leprosy Foundation (SILF) at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).

Shivani Sharma, secretary of the Nature Bazaar, said: 'The work of around 250 artisans from different parts of India like West Bengal, Pondicherry, Uttarakhand and Bihar is being showcased at the Bazaar. Everything from fabric to jewellery is available here at a varied price range'.

Amongst some of the items available at the fair are colourfully decorated kites, bangles, lamps, salwar-suits and the likes.

The price ranges from Rs.5 to Rs.90,000.

Ruth Paul, project coordinator of SILF, said: 'This is the second time we have been a part of Dastkaar. If we go to markets directly with our wares, we do not get much sales. However, here we get a great platform.'

Cultural programmes and workshops for students like story telling and basket weaving have also been organised to add a different flavour to the exhibition.

This is the first time in 17 years that the Nature Bazaar exhibition has been held at a venue other than Delhi Haat.

'This is a new place which has acted in our favour in a lot of ways. The footfalls are much more and we also have added space to showcase more items than we have done in the past,' said Priyanka Rao, marketing manager of Dastkaar.

Kavitha Reddy, a home maker who had come to the fair, said: 'The place is like a treasure trove. I have bought several things from here and have told my friends to visit it as well.'