From Pretty Lamps To Handmade Earrings, Here's Your Guide To Surajkund Mela 2020

Each year, the Surajkund Mela works around a specific theme based on a state of India, which also inspires the fairs architectural layout, spirit & décor. Organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs, Himachal Pradesh, along with partner nation, Uzbekistan has been selected as the theme state of the 34th Surajkund International Crafts Mela – 2020. Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya is presiding along with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur and Ambassador of Uzbekistan Farhad Arijiev.

A dash of colour, tempo of the music and flawless craftsmanship aptly capture the essence of this beguiling fair. Celebrated no less than any festival, the core motive behind it is to promote the talent and culture of local artisans in our country. The rustic aura of the mela creates a captivating spell for the travellers who visit India from different parts of the globe. The beauty of this concept is to very intricately accentuate the rich cultural heritage of India and boost the morale of local craftsmen to continue their waning flair of handmade merchandise.

Showcasing Indian Culture At Its Finest

India is a blend of vibrant cultures that are skillfully showcased at the Surajkund Mela. Along with close to 40 partner nations, the organizers invigorate the mood of its visitors with scrumptious ethnic dishes, affordable colour-popping paintings, antique stone sculptures and fun rides to keep even the little ones busy. The profusion of so many elements elevates the fervour of the mela making it an unforgettable experience. Apart from trying delicious rural cuisines and shopping for local art, one can also indulge in some scintillating folk dance and music shows at the open-air theatre.

A cultural ethos, the Surajkund Mela, offers a stunning insight into the historical background and traditional beauty of hidden India. Each state exposes a part of their culture at the Mela,

providing an aesthetic indulgence for both Indian and foreign tourists. If you’re looking out for an authentic experience that celebrates both indigenous talent and the candid culture of locals, the Surajkund Mela needs to be on your bucket list fosho!

Facts We Bet You Didn’t Know About The Mela

There will be three fashion shows this time under the guidance of renowned fashion designer Ritu Berry, an honorary consultant of the fair. Apart from this, the spectacular display of cultural evenings throughout the fortnight will attract the audience for entertainment. Comedy evenings, Kavi Sammelan, Sufiana Kalam, echoes of qawwalis, dance performances, melodious Bollywood numbers by singer Padamjit Sehrawat and other artists will entertain the audience throughout the event. One gets the first-hand experience of how the artisans work and how things are made. Woodwork, metalwork, papier-mache, weaving, embroidery, sculpture, and bamboo and cane craft are all featured at the Mela.

Things That We Absolutely Loved At The Mela This Time

Entertainment Arena

The organizers invest their heart and soul in the fair and ensure that with every passing year, there is some evolvement of the fair. This time, the organizers have roped in various artists who excel in their area and full one day is dedicated to every group of artists, which included riveting ‘Mughlai Kathak’ solo performance by Devendra Manglamukhi of Jaipur on the opening day followed by fashion show, folk dances, live performances, kathak dances, dance medleys etc. ensuring a modern twist to the mela and capturing the attention of every genre of visitors.  Kids and performers from Russia have also been invited to showcase their talent at the fair, who can be seen roaming around and clicking photos with the visitors and other artists. The blend of a foreign culture with Indian culture can be easily witnessed at this fair.

Handmade Apparels & Decorative Items

Himachal Pradesh being the theme state, mesmerizing designs of shawls and jackets along with topis and other handlooms can be easily spotted in every corner. We also witnessed multiple unique sets of earrings at the Mela, with the dominance of jhumkas and hanging earrings, the collection of which was just class apart.

The International Realm

With more than 40 countries showcasing their talent at the Mela, there were artists from around the world and the craftsmanship exhibited by these foreign countries, like always, made our visit to the Mela well worth it! With Uzbekistan being the partner nation, we noticed their dominance in the International arena with wooden handicrafts to decorative lights, clay pots to hand-made earrings and bracelets. The most striking features of this arena were the Russian dolls, the caricatures made from colourful wired hand-woven baskets and utensils. We were stupefied by the perception of various artists around the globe and these being sold at pocket-friendly prices, missing the International Area of the Mela is a sin!

Other Attractions

The food stalls were set up at various locations with a limited set of kiosks of Himachal Pradesh’s famous delicacies including the Jaleba, which was a major attraction among the visitors, at every location and a particular area entirely dedicated to various delicacies, majorly of the theme state with others. The VIP enclosure, like the previous time, was given a miss yet the seating arena was strategically kept so as to ensure easy movement and space for all ensuring ample dining space for all.

 Last year, the authorities inaugurated and installed an idol of Chatrapati Shivaji around a temporary fort-like structure which was at the highest peak of the Mela. This time they have set up a temple-like structure on the same lines and using similar material to the Chatrapati Shivaji fort which became lovely selfie spot for many.

Reaching Here & Other Features

The Mela is accessible by road, Railways with NDLS being the closest station and metros. Though a personal vehicle is the best option but considering its just 8 km from South Delhi, one can also opt for public transport.

The girl students of government and government-aided schools will be given free entry to the Mela on weekdays, as a part of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign of Haryana government. War widows and freedom fighters will also be given free entry with valid ID proof. As a CSR initiative, the Authority provides 50% rebate on the entry tickets to the differently-abled persons, senior citizens and serving defence personnel and ex-servicemen. To encourage youth participation, a discount of 50% on entry tickets are being given to college students on weekdays on the production of valid ID cards. Disaster Management Plan/ Evacuation Plan is in place with state-of-the-art medical, fire and disaster management facilities at all crucial points. Bank, dispensary, Mela police control room & CCTV control room are located at a centralized location so that visitors and participants can have easy access to these essential services. A complete ban is imposed on the plastic/polythene bags within the Mela premises.

When | 1st - 16th February 
Where | Surajkund Mela Grounds - Lakewood City, Surajkund, Faridabad 
Entry | Rs 120 Onwards
Timings | 10 AM Onwards
Book Your Tickets Online Here | http://bit.ly/3aENWh8
Here’s Their Website | http://haryanatourism.gov.in/Events/surajkund-international-crafts-mela-faridabad
Check Out Their FB Page |https://www.facebook.com/SurajkundCraftsMela/
RSVP On FB Here | https://www.facebook.com/events/950495385345949 

Scroll Through These Gorgeous Images Of The Mela!