Surajkund Mela 2021, Celebrate bright skies and perfectly balmy weather at the colourful Surajkund Mela this February. For the first time this year, Faridabad in Haryana will host this vibrant festival’s 34th edition. The festival showcases the folk customs and cultural heritage of India and is a medley of music and colours. It is held during the first fortnight of February every year.
Translated as ‘Lake of the Sun,’ Surajkund is an ancient reservoir founded in the 10th century by the Tomar dynasty ‘s King Suraj Pal. It is an appropriate historical venue each year for a meeting of world cultures and histories. The Surajkund Mela is your mecca of choice if you’re someone who likes to drink in cultural and artistic practises. The Surajkund Mela Faridabad will, like every year, be a grand celebration of the diverse and uncommon cultural traditions of India. To re-create the soul of rural India, the atmosphere and environment are exquisitely crafted. Lovers of textiles and handlooms, rejoice! Some of the most exquisite handicrafts and handlooms from across the nation are housed in the Mela.
Arts, craft, and handlooms
Take the time to enjoy age-old arts and crafts from all parts of the world, each more special than the next, as you walk around this beautiful cultural fair. Such traditional knowledge and skills are passed on from one generation to the next. There is the ever-present possibility of conventional artistic knowledge dying out slowly with the rise of computers.
Surajkund Mela Faridabad will have a dedicated section to showcase this rich artistic heritage, as it does every year. With poignant reminders of cultural origins and customs, it is a great way to satisfy creative sensibilities. The mesmerising arts and crafts would renew the love of everyone for items that are carefully handcrafted intricately.
Play a small part in supporting local handlooms in rural craftsmanship and export. It’s the best place for your wardrobe and home to pick up unique items, such as inexpensive paintings, show pieces, stone sculptures, or beautiful cloth!
Take a stroll through the country’s centuries of beauty and culture. The Mela features stalls from all Indian states, each demonstrating distinctive and complex craftsmanship. The atmosphere is beautifully rustic, traditional, and vibrant throughout, built to transport visitors to the beauty of rural India. In its Exporters and Buyers Conference, the Surajkund Mela is also of significance. Throughout the festival, this forum is organised so that artisans have ready access to the export market for their goods.
The History of Surajkund International Crafts Mela
The festival was first held in 1987 and the popularity of the Surajkund Mela has since developed to become the world’s largest International Crafts Fair. The goal of the festival is to showcase and promote local artisans’ talent and culture in India. It’s no wonder why the Surajkund Mela, a tapestry of India’s rich artistic and cultural past, is a common event on the international tourist itinerary each year.
A huge footfall of over a million visitors from all over the world can be seen at the fair. it was upgraded to International Standards and renamed the ’28th International Surajkund Crafts Mela‘. More than 15 SAARC countries and some from Europe and Africa participated in the Mela in the subsequent year. The Mela, therefore, is a kaleidoscope of cultures, a perfect platform to experience the fascinating cultural and artistic legacies of nations across continents.
Each year, the Surajkund Mela works around a particular theme based on a state of India. The subject state then determines the fair’s overall environment, décor, and architecture. Every year, it is a wonderful way to encourage the uniqueness of the art, craft, and cuisine of a state.
Surajkund Mela 2021: Theme
The uniqueness of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela is that every year, one of the Indian states has the privilege of occupying the role of the Theme State. In order to promote and concentrate every year on the art , craft and cuisine of each state of India, the Theme State was widely conceptualised. The state of Himachal Pradesh has been selected to be the theme state for the 35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2021. The theme state for the Mela in 2021 was Maharashtra.
Surajkund Mela 2021: Timings and Venue
In the town of Faridabad, Surajkund Mela is organised every year in a 40-acre area with around 1,010 working huts. From 10:30 am in the morning to 8:30 pm at night, people will visit the International Craft Fair.
Where to Stay
In and around Surajkund, there are different resorts and hotels. However, as hotels tend to get booked out quickly during the festival season, we suggest planning your stay beforehand.
In Faridabad, Gurgaon, or Delhi, one can choose from resorts , hotels, and guest houses. A fast online search can show accommodation options suitable to different budgets and preferences.
How to Reach the Surajkund Mela?
By all means of transport, Surajkund is well connected. New Delhi will be the closest metropolitan city near Surajkund. Just 8 km from South Delhi, depending on their budget, one has several travel options.
By Road :-
The National Highway is a well-made 4-lane road, with plenty of eating options offering dishes like Chola kulcha and paranthas. Driving down from another state won’t have much trouble. Surajkund is a pleasant journey, well connected to Delhi, Faridabad and Gurgaon. As the mela area with ample parking space, you can also opt for a tourist taxi or even drive your private car.
By Rail :-
The nearest railway station to reach Surajkund is New Delhi (NDLS). The city is well connected to Faridabad and Gurgaon once you reach the railway junction. To enter Surajkund, you can take a local train or even the Delhi metro.
By Metro :-
The Delhi Metro is an excellent mode of transport for you if you are already in Delhi and are planning to fly from there to Surajkund. Take the metro to Badarpur via Sarita Vihar and Mohan Estate from the Central Secretariat. The closest metro station to Mela is Badarpur. For outstation passengers, there are plenty of popular route maps at all metro stations in both English and Hindi.
By Air :-
An easy and hassle-free mode of commute, Surajkund is just a 35-minute drive from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and 25 km from Palam Airport.