Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024

Surajkund International Crafts Mela will be held from 2nd-18th February at Surajkund, Faridabad, Haryana. This festival showcases the richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms, and cultural fabric of India and is the largest crafts fair in the world.

The mela is organized on 40 acres of land with over 735 huts for stalls, where skilled artisans showcase their handiwork. Not only national but there are international participants in the mela too, with Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Iran, Uganda, Brazil, Portugal, and the SAARC nations of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Nepal, among others confirming their presence.

In 2024 37th Edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela will be held. The mela celebrates this unique diversity of India’s Ashtalakshmi- the Northeast. With NER as the theme region.

Surajkund

Surajkund (literal meaning is ‘Lake of the Sun’) is an artificial Kund (‘Kund’ means “lake” or reservoir) built in the backdrop of the Aravalli hills with an amphitheater shaped embankment constructed in semicircular form. It is said to be built by Gurjar king Suraj Pal of the Tomar dynasty in the 10th century. Tomar was a sun worshipper and he had, therefore, built a Sun temple on its western bank.

The shape of Surajkund resembles the rising sun, curving eastward. It consists of a semi-circular stepped stone embankment, to impound rainwater from the hills. Its bed is about 130 meters in diameter. Though in ruins, the original grandeur of this vast reservoir, where royal hunting parties rested, can be very well imagined. The dancing peacocks on the bank of the Kund and in the forest-like surroundings provide a fascinating sight. It is believed that a Sun Temple existed here.

The annual Surajkund International Crafts Mela, believed to be the largest such mela in the world, is organized at the ancient Surajkund reservoir built by King Suraj Pal of the Tomar dynasty in the 10th Century. The Tomar dynasty ended in the 12th century, but the kund has not been affected. It attracted the attention of the Haryana Government to develop the area as a tourist spot by introducing an annual crafts ‘Mela’ or “fair” titled “Surajkund Crafts Mela” in the precincts of the lake, which over the years has attracted wide publicity and become an iconic event.

Surajkund International Crafts Mela

A fortnight-long festival of traditional craft is organized every year at this location called Surajkund Mela which lies about 8 km from South Delhi. This mela organization was started during year 1987. As is traditional with Surajkund, one Indian state is highlighted each year as the theme state that puts its best foot forward.

Surajkund International Crafts Mela is organized from 1st to 15th February every year to showcase the Indian handicrafts, handlooms, and folk traditions of our country. The fair comes alive with truly exotic, exquisite, and exclusive ethnic items that range from delicately embroidered fabrics, hand-woven furnishings, terracotta artifacts, jewelry, metal, and cane-ware. Not to miss, a variety of mouth-watering Indian cuisines at the Food Court.

There were numerous stalls- majorly clothes, carpets, furniture, dry flowers, handicrafts, paintings, stuffed toys, utensils, eateries, and many many more. The mela was spread over a wide area; with both state-wise and international stalls. The Mela is an annual event that highlights some of the finest handloom and handicraft traditions of the country.

Surajkund Mela is a riot of colorful folk music and dances, not only do we get to showcase our folk dances, but also witness the vibrant arts of so many regions of India. The fair is known for colorful traditional crafts. Artists, painters, and sculptors from all over the country participate in the fair and display their creative designer objects, which include objects made of wood, glass, bamboo, metal, stone, and iron.

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