Surajkund Crafts Mela is a colourful and exotic handicrafts and handloom fair which is organized each year by the Tourism Department in Haryana in February. The venue for the annual event is Surajkund which is located at a distance of 8 km of South Delhi in the city of Faridabad. The event which aims to popularize the traditional handicrafts in India has different themes based on culture and art of a particular state. The theme is depicted at the entrance to the Mela grounds. And entire ambience for the fair is designed accordingly complete with characteristic colours, materials, architecture, furniture and decorations of that particular state.
This fortnight long fair is unquestionably the biggest crafts fair of India. Hundreds of award winning artists from every corner of India participate in this fair and display the rich crafts tradition of India in the typical rural setting. The fair was first organized in the year 1981 and ever since, the grand event is held annually. Over the years it has become a major platform for Indian artisans to showcase the skills in the art work and crafts. It has been earmark events on the Indian Tourism calendar over the last 26 years.
Surajkund Crafts Mela 2015 Date : When is Surajkund Crafts Mela?
The fair set against the background of Surajkund Mela village is held from February 1st to 15th every year.
In 2013 the Surajkund Crafts Mela was held from 01 February - 15 February.
In 2014 Surajkund Crafts Mela was held from 01 February - 15 February
In 2015 Surajkund Crafts Mela will be held from 01 February - 15 February
In the year 2012 Crafts persons and artists from partner nation-Thailand, SAARC counties-Nepal, Bhutan, Sri-Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Afghanistan besides Eurasian counties- Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and South African country- Congo took part in the Mela. The famous Surajkund Crafts Mela has now been upgraded as an international event and would be known as Surajkund International Crafts Mela with effect from the year 2013. The mela which reflects the wide spectrum of Indian heritage attracts thousands of tourists every year.
While craftsmen from all over India participate, one particular state is focused upon each year. Several small thatched roof platforms are built to create a rustic ambience to the mela. The fair is a meeting ground for the talented painters, weavers, sculptors and craftsmen form all over India who exhibits their creations beneath the thatched roof platforms.
The mela is a shopper’s delight and one can shop for some exquisite and skilful paintings, textiles, wood stock, ivory work, pottery, stonework, grass work, folk motifs on terracotta forms, metal and cane ware, shimmering bangles, soft silk apparels, toys and trinkets and many more.
The fan shaped open-air-theatre name 'Natyashala' serves as the venue for the several vibrant music and dance performances with cultural themes that are held in the every evening throughout the fair. Visitors can also relish a diverse range of delicious savouries at the Food Court which offers a variety of Indian & SAARC countries cuisine.
How to reach Surajkund
Surajkund is 8 kilometres from South Delhi. The nearest airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport which is about 25 km away. The nearest railway stations are the New Delhi Railway Station which is 22 kms away and the Nizamuddin Railway Station which is 21 kilometres away. Haryana Tourist Bureau also organizes special tours from 36, Janpath, New Delhi.