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Celebrate clear skies and perfectly balmy weather this February at the colorful Surajkund Mela. Faridabad in Haryana will host the 34th edition of this vibrant festival for the first time this year. The festival is a medley of music and colors and showcases the folk traditions and cultural heritage of India. It is held each year during the first fortnight of February.
Surajkund, translated as ‘Lake of the Sun’, is an ancient reservoir built in the 10th century by King Suraj Pal of the Tomar dynasty. It is a fitting historical venue for a gathering of world cultures and histories each year. If you’re someone who likes to soak in cultural and artistic traditions, the Surajkund Mela is your mecca of choice. Like each year, the Surajkund Mela Faridabad will be a grand celebration of India’s diverse and rare cultural traditions. The ambiance and setting are exquisitely crafted to re-create the soul of rural India. Textile and handloom lovers, rejoice! The Mela houses some of the most beautiful handicrafts and handlooms from across the country.
This year’s Surajkund Mela dates fall on February 2, 2020, and will continue till February 16, 2020. Soak in the beauty of traditional handicrafts, folk dances, puppet shows, and music at the Mela. The festival is open to visitors from 10.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m every day.
The festival first took place in 1987 and ever since, the Surajkund Mela’s importance has grown to become the largest International Crafts Fair in the world. The festival aims to showcase and promote the talent and culture of local artisans in India. A tapestry of India’s rich artistic and cultural history, it’s no wonder why the Surajkund Mela is a popular event on the itinerary of international tourists each year.
The fair sees a massive footfall of more than a million visitors from across the world. It was upgraded to International Levels in 2013 and called the ‘28th Surajkund International Crafts Mela’. In the subsequent year, more than 15 SAARC countries and some from Europe and Africa participated in the Mela. A kaleidoscope of cultures, the Mela is, therefore, a great platform to witness the fascinating cultural and artistic legacies of countries across the continents.
The Surajkund Mela works around a specific theme based on a state of India each year. The theme state then influences the overall ambiance, décor, and architecture of the fair. It is a fantastic way to promote the uniqueness of a state’s art, craft, and cuisine each year.
The state of Himachal Pradesh is the theme state for the 34th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2020. In 2019, the theme state chosen was Maharashtra. Himachal Pradesh will present a captivating light & Sound Show every evening during the Mela.
With the participation of 20 countries and all the states of India, we can expect a fair that is more spectacular and grandiose than ever before. The partner nation for this year’s festival is the fascinating country of Uzbekistan.Organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs, this is a must-attend festival in the Delhi-NCR region. With splashes of color, exquisite arts and craft, and captivating folk music, festive spirits will once again be high at the 2020 Surajkund Mela, Faridabad.
As you walk around this gorgeous cultural fair, take the time to appreciate age-old arts and crafts from all parts of the country – each more unique than the next. These traditional skills and knowledge are passed down from one generation to the next. With the rise of machines, there is the ever-present threat of traditional artistic knowledge dying out slowly.
Like each year, the Surajkund Mela Faridabad will have a dedicated section to showcase this rich artistic heritage. It is a fantastic way to indulge artistic sensibilities with poignant reminders of cultural roots and traditions. The mesmerizing arts and crafts will renew anyone’s appreciation for products that are intricately handcrafted with care.
Play a small part in encouraging rural craftsmanship and export of local handlooms. It’s the perfect place to pick up one-of-a-kind pieces for your wardrobe and home such as affordable paintings, show-pieces, stone sculptures, or exquisite fabric!
Take a walk across centuries of beauty and history in the country. The Mela features stalls of all Indian states, each one displaying unique and intricate craftsmanship. Designed to transport visitors to the beauty of rural India, the setting is beautifully rustic, traditional, and colorful throughout. The Surajkund Mela’s importance is also in its Exporters and Buyers Meet. This platform is organized throughout the festival so that artisans have ready access to the export market for their products.
Enjoy performances by folk artists from the country and across the world. The Mela has beautiful open-air theatres or Chaupals within its premises. The evenings are the best time to catch stunning cultural performances and programs at the main arena or Chaupal.
A visit to any Mela is incomplete without a stop at the various food stalls. And when you’re at the Surajkund Mela, the culinary experience is heightened further. The food courts at Surajkund feature ethnic dishes not only from India but those of partner countries as well. Food always brings people together and at Surajkund, visitors are in for a fabulous feast.
The Mela also has designated areas to keep the little ones happy and occupied. Children can enjoy fun rides, adventure sports, and other forms of entertainment at the Mela. The Mela will also organize several competitions for school students.
The Mela provides ample parking space for all vehicles. For visitors who need help getting around the vast Mela grounds, golf carts and e-rickshaws are also available on request. The Mela also provides e-toilets for women and men, as well as clean drinking water filters that are installed at several places across the festival venue.
In an effort to reduce waste generated at the Mela, the festival premises has been declared completely plastic-free!
Tickets for the Surajkund International Crafts Fair are available on major online booking platforms such as bookmyshow.com. Visitors can also book tickets at the venue. The prices vary according to demand – with ticket prices at an average of Rs 120 during weekdays and Rs 180 on weekends. We recommend checking online event platforms beforehand for the rates.
With the rising popularity of the event, the festival committee typically introduces different discount options for visitors each year. There are also several standard rebates one can expect at the festival this year:
· A 50% discount on a weekday entry ticket for students with a valid ID card. Entry is free for government school children in their school uniforms and accompanied by a teacher.
· A 50% discount on the entry ticket for senior citizens, soldiers, and the differently-abled. Please do check the festival website for discount details at this year’s Surajkund Mela Faridabad.
By Air:
The nearest airport to Faridabad is the Indira Gandhi International airport, New Delhi. Surajkund is only a 35-minute drive from the airport.
By Train:
The New Delhi Railway station (NDLS) is the nearest railway junction. However, both Faridabad and Gurgaon are well-connected to Delhi via several railway lines. Visitors at these stations can travel to Surajkund Mela Faridabad by cab or tourist coach.
By Road:
Surajkund is well-connected to Faridabad, Delhi, and Gurgaon via road. Visitors can choose from taxis or buses that ply regularly on these roads.
Buses:
There are special bus services that link Faridabad, Gurgaon, and Delhi during the Mela.
You could also hire tourist cabs or tourist coaches from Delhi.
Where to Stay
There are various resorts and hotels in and around Surajkund. However, we recommend planning your stay before-hand since hotels tend to get booked out quickly during the festival period.
One can choose from resorts, hotels, and guest houses in Faridabad, Gurgaon, or Delhi. A quick search online will display accommodation options suited to various budgets and preferences.
Conclusion:
The Surajkund Mela Faridabad is excellent for stunning glimpses into the cultural ethos and artistic heritage of different Indian states and countries across the globe. Visit the festival for a celebration of all cultures under one roof. It’s a fantastic way to honor and revel in the rich diversity of people and places the world over.
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April 15, 2024 
