This year is all about embracing local art, craftsmen, and supporting the national art scene. The Surajkund International Crafts Mela’s 33rd year will bring to one place Indian craftsmen who, with their art, make this a grand fair every year. Organised by Haryana Tourism, this fair is hailed as one of the biggest craft fairs in the world! By Shubhanjana Das
When:
This year, the Surajkund Crafts Mela is scheduled to be held from 1st to 15th February. The fair goes on from 9:30 am in the morning to 7 pm in the evening.
Where:
Surajkund, Faridabad, Haryana.
What to Expect:
Surajkund translates to ‘Lake of The Sun’, referring to a man-made lake against the backdrop of the Aravalis. Once every year, this place takes on the guise of a place, which acts as the thriving ground for local art, handlooms, handicrafts, and more. Every year, the Crafts Mela revolves around one theme state whose local craftsmen are given the opportunity to put up a show of their handlooms, handicrafts, and traditional handicraft items. Last year saw Uttar Pradesh showcasing its unique crafts and art. This year, Maharashtra has been chosen as the theme state.
Other than shopping, the visitors also get to witness the many shows, cultural events, dance shows, and folk music shows arranged, further highlighting the heritage and culture of the theme state. Even though Maharashtra is the theme state this year, many other states participate in the Mela as well, making Surajkund a melting pot of the many cultures and the ethos, which make up the state.
Open-air theatres stage performances by artists from around the world along with food stalls where you can taste the national cuisines in one place – is something that you should expect when you get there.
The fair acts as the custodian of the many rare and even dying art forms in the country. While it lays emphasis mostly on the national crafts and folk performances, it also gives a stage for the international craftsmen to present their country’s cultural ethos.
Things to Remember:
Haryana experiences a fall in the temperature after sundown, so make sure you carry sufficient layers of clothing to keep you warm.
The Mela gets a footfall in lakhs every year, so make sure that you stay close together if you’re travelling with family and/or friends. In that much crowd, it may be easier to find one small piece of art in one specific stall than finding a person if he/she gets lost.
Make sure you arrange for your accommodation a long time before since all the hotels can be expected to be jam-packed.
How to Reach:
Surajkund is just 8 km from South Delhi, meaning that it is well-connected with all the major cities in the country via train and flights. To reach Surajkund from Delhi airport or station, simply hire a taxi, which ply between these two places.
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