Exploring The Colors and Culture Of Surajkund Crafts Mela
The Surajkund Crafts Mela, also known as Surajkund Mela is an annual event organized by the Haryana Tourism that happens every year in Faridabad. This fair brings together artisans, craftsmen, and guests from more than 50 countries and showcases a beautiful array of traditional crafts, art, music, and food. This year, this fair is going to run between 7th February and 23rd February 2025. So, it is the best treat for people, who prefer to travel and love to explore Indian art, culture, and heritage. Besides, this fair also offers the visitors the scope to explore the artistic variety of India up close showcasing exquisite handicrafts, mesmerizing performances, and mouth-watering cuisines while joining in different fun and cultural activities. Go through this blog to navigate the details of Surajkund Crafts Mela before you book a self-drive car rental to get there.
An Overview of the Surajkund Crafts Mela
The Surajkund Mela is a crafts fair organized in Surajkund, Haryana, located almost 8 KM away from South Delhi. This is a two-week-long cultural extravaganza, which brings together artisans from different parts of India and beyond, offering them the best platform to showcase their exceptional crafts. Every year, a theme state is selected for this fair and its unique art forms, traditions, and cultures are highlighted. Besides, a few global participants from the SAARC nations and beyond also take part, making it a global handicraft fair.
Apart from crafts, this fair is also a tapestry of culture, featuring folk dance, folk music, and food stalls with delectable dishes. It also serves as the platform for the talent and creativity of both global and local artists to showcase their jobs.
International Participation at the Surajkund Crafts Mela
This year, apart from featuring Madhya Pradesh and Odisha as theme states, the Surajkund Crafts Mela is a global platform that highlights the vibrant cultures of the BIMSTEC organization and attracts contributors from different countries across the globe. India, Bhutan, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Ghana are the BIMSTEC member countries, which have been selected as partners in this fair. Apart from that, other 51 countries are also taking part in this fair with more than 30 global stalls showcasing their cultural heritage and traditional crafts.
The BIMSTEC buzzes with different activities that attract considerable attention from global tourists. And it is one of the major highlights of this fair. So, here you will find numerous stalls featuring unique textiles, crafts, and cuisines from countries like Nepal, Egypt, and Thailand. The participation of International countries enriches the cultural diversity of the fair, making the experience more beautiful for the visitors. You can reach there in a self-drive car rental from Delhi, Noida, or Gurgaon.
What are the Main Highlights of the Surajkund Crafts Mela 2025?
The main highlight of the Surajkund Crafts Mela is the extensive display of traditional handicrafts, brought directly from artisans from different states of India and abroad. With numerous colorful stalls, it often becomes hard to decide which to visit and which not.
1. Handlooms and Handicrafts of India
If you are planning to visit Surajkund Crafts Mela for traditional crafts, weaving, and fabrics, then this fair is a gold mine. Here you will find wooden carving items, pottery, different types of artwork, shiny jewelry, etc. Some of the prime examples are:
~ Terracotta figurines from West Bengal and hand-painted blue pottery from Rajasthan.
~ Hand-crafted unique home-décor items that you can pick as souvenirs.
~ The best of the weaving heritage of India, starting from Pashmina shawls from Kashmir to Banarasi silks from Banaras.
~ Beautiful Kanjivaram sarees from Tamil Nadu and Chikankari embroidery from Lucknow.
~ Handmade metal and wooden sculptures, which are the depiction of different mythological themes.
~ Rare tribal artworks like Madhubani from Bihar, Pattachitra from Odisha, and Warli paintings from Maharashtra.
~ Unique bead and shell accessories from Northeast India
~ Traditional temple jewelry, oxidized tribal jewelry from South India and handcrafted silver jewelry from Rajasthan.
2. International Handlooms and Handicrafts
Apart from the stalls of local artisans, this fair also features traditional crafts from other countries like Egypt, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Some of the main highlights are exquisite Turkish lamps, Persian rugs, and Tibetan Thangka paintings.
3. Workshops and Live Demonstrations
Here the craftsmen also show off their skills and perform activities where visitors can get involved to check first-hand how the cool and complex crafts are created, whether it is stamping designs on fabric or throwing clay on a wheel, people get into the swing of things with all these creative activities. Book a self-drive car rental in Noida service to reach the fair without hassle and enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience.
4. Cultural Performances
Another prime attraction of this fair is cultural performances by talented artists from different parts of India including folk tunes, dances, and plays. All these performances convert the fair into a melting pot of traditions. Besides, this fair is also known for different types of live dance shows that you can check out. The popular ones include Bhangra, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kalbelia, and some other types of classic dance forms. Want to experience this beautiful amalgamation of different cultures across the globe? Then book a car rental in Gurgaon service now and reach this crafts fair.
5. Culinary Delights
A trip to Surajkund Crafts Mela is incomplete without indulging in a wide range of food offerings, which is a true reflection of the culinary diversity of India. Some of the must-try dishes in this fair are:
~ Punjub’s Makki di roti and sarson da saag, a dish perfect for winter, served with jaggery and white butter.
~ Dal Baati Churma, a traditional treat of Rajasthan with an authentic and rich flavor.
~ Litti Chokha, the smokey wheat dumplings from Bihar, served with spiced mashed brinjal and potato.
~ Kolkata’s Kathi Roll, stuffed with flavorful egg, chicken, or paneer.
~ Alu tikki and chole bhature, the classic preferences of North India.
~ Momos from North India, the steamed dumplings with meat or veggie stuffing.
~ Ghewar from Jaipur, the festive sweet soaked in the sugar syrup.
~ Malpua with Rabri from Rajasthan, a delightful and rich dessert.
~ A refreshing filter coffee from South India, a must-try.
Apart from that, you can enjoy Turkish Baklava, Afghan Kebabs, Thai and Chinese noodles, etc. from international food stalls.
6. Eco-friendly and Sustainable Initiatives
This fair mostly focuses on being sustainable. Therefore, it supports various eco-friendly actions like having areas with zero plastic, opting for biodegradable stuff, and promoting handmade and organic products.
7. Fun and Adventure
Apart from being the perfect place for artisans across the world to showcase their art and craft skills, this mela is also known for some fun and adventurous activities like sessions for crafting pottery, camel rides, puppet acts, magic shows, etc. to keep everyone entertained. Besides, there are kids’ zones where they can play and have fun.
Takeaway
The Surajkund Crafts Mela is a lot more than just a shopper’s delight. Rather, it is a cultural spectacle, which offers the visitors the perfect glimpse into the artistic and culinary heritage of India. So, whether you are planning to enjoy folk performances, purchase handcrafted souvenirs, or savor regional delicacies, this Mela guarantees to offer you a memorable experience. This year, the fair has already started. Pack your bags and get ready to immerse in the flavors, colors, and traditions of India by visiting the Surajkund Crafts Mela 2025. One of the best ways to reach there is by hiring a self-drive car from a leading car rental in Delhi.