A splash of colours, rhythm of drum beats and joy de-vivre merge at Surajkund in Faridabad, Haryana during the first fortnight of each February. The curtains go up on the acclaimed annual Surajkund International Crafts Mela from 1st February onwards, a celebration of Indian folk traditions and cultural heritage.
Occupying a place of pride on the international tourist calendar, more than a million visitors throng the Mela during the fortnight including thousands of foreign tourists. The Surajkund Mela is unique as it showcases the richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms and cultural fabric of India, & is the largest crafts fair in the world.
The Mela is organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs. For the 35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2022, the state of has been chosen to be the Theme State. At least 20 countries & all the states of India will be participating in the Mela.
A large number of renowned national and international folk artistes and cultural groups present day performances at both the Chaupals, the open-air theatres, located in the Mela premises. Also enthralling cultural evening programmes are held at the main Chaupal during each of the Mela evening. The Mela is indeed a custodian of the heritage crafts involving use of traditional skills that are fading away due to cheap machine made imitations, and a special section is earmarked for showcasing of these heritage crafts.
The multi-cuisine Food Court provides ethnic cuisines from all over the world, which are immensely popular with visitors. There are designated places for amusement, adventure sports and joy rides to make it a must visit event for the young.
In 2013, the fair was upgraded to an international level and in 2015, a record number of 20 countries participated in the Mela and Lebanon was the Partner Nation and Chhattisgarh, the Theme State.A splash of colours, rhythm of drum beats and joy de-vivre, merge at Surajkund in Faridabad, Haryana during the first fortnight of each February. The curtains go up on the acclaimed annual ‘Surajkund International Crafts Mela’ from 1st February onwards, a celebration of Indian folk traditions and cultural heritage.
The Mela celebrates the unique diversity of Indian traditions and culture in a ambience, created to represent the ethos of rural India. Surajkund International Crafts Mela showcases some of the most exquisite handlooms and handicrafts of India. Handmade fabrics soaked in ethnic colours make an eye catching display for the visitors.
The multi-cuisine Food Courts provides ethnic cuisines from all over the world, which are immensely popular with visitors. The scintillating folk performances at the two ‘Chaupals’ and mesmerizing evening recitals at ‘Natyashala’ rev up the entertainment quotient. There are designated places for amusement, adventure sports and joy rides to make it a must visit event for the young.
In 2013, the fair was upgraded to an International Level and was rechristened as ‘28th Surajkund International Crafts Mela’ . In 2014, over 15 countries from European & African continents participated in the Mela including SAARC nations. In the upcoming Surajkund International Crafts Mela, over 20 countries are expected to participate.