The month of February (usually the first fifteen days) observes the celebration of handicrafts and other rural crafts through the popular Surajkand Crafts Mela, an annual Fair festival held every year in Haryana.

This Mela (fair) kicked off as a humble event in the year of 1981 but over the years, it has gained mammoth proportion and is now recognized as a heavily coveted international event. This fair is attended by people from all over the world and it gives the handicraft workers and craftsmen a chance to showcase their skills before a large interested audience. The craftsmen from all over the world, and not just from India, partake in the fair and set up stalls to sell their items. The fair is held at a place which is lent an authentic rustic touch so that a visitor may feel that he has entered a small village from the bygone era. More than anything, it is the cultural ambiance which is conjured at this fair that warms the heart.

The festival is observed from 1^st-15^th February in Surajkand in Haryana on the outskirts of Delhi. It is easy to reach and is drawing tourists in heavy numbers with each passing year. All kinds of craft works are put on display including impressive terracotta, textiles, ivory, pottery, paintings and stonework. The objective of the fair is not to extort people and make superlative profits but rather to promote handicraft. So, the price of every item is very nominal. The ultimate aim of the event is the well-being and development of small-time artisans and craftsmen whose exquisite talent is somehow getting neglected in the wake of the glamorous 21st century.

When it comes to the Entertainment Quotient, the festival does not lag behind. It is full of fun and frolic. Visitors get enthralled by the marvelous display of folk dances, musical performances, acrobatic shows and magic shows. One can say that almost all the traditional art forms of India go on live display during these 15 days. In between watching the amazing shows and buying the exquisite art works, you can fill your belly and munch on the dozens of rustic delicacies and dishes which are available at the make-shift food stalls.

Like a true Indian ‘Mela’, this fair is a cocktail of everything- from music to dance, from food to drinks, from magic shows to acrobats, from dramas to games.

The cuisines are also exotic and range over all kinds of dishes. While there are dishes from all over India, the spotlight is clearly on the traditional rural items which can bring water to your mouth.

Surajkand Fair is a shopper’s paradise. If you are interested in artwork for their artistic value and intrinsic worth, you can visit this fair in February 2014. No matter whether you buy something or not, the experience itself will make you ten times richer.

The fair timings are from 10 am till 9 pm on all the days.

How to Reach Surajkund?

Surajkund lies in the Faridabad district, just 8 kms away from the South Delhi.

Surajkund By Road: Surajkund is well-connected to Delhi, Gurgaon and Faridabad district headquarter towns by metalled road approachable by tour coaches, tourist taxis and one’s own conveyance.

Surajkund By Air: The nearest Airport is at Delhi. The Surajkund Complex is a 35-minute drive from the Indira Gandhi International Airport. It is about 25 km from Palam Airport.

Surajkund By Rail: Delhi is the nearest Railway junction. Faridabad and Gurgaon are both linked to Delhi via Railway lines. From each of these stations, travel to Surajkund has to be done by car/cab/tourist coach.

Surajkund By Metro: Metro services are also available from Central Secretariat till Badarpur via Sarita Vihar and Mohan Estate. Badarpur locality is close to the interstate border between the city of Faridabad and Delhi.

Timing for Surajkund Craft Mela

The Mela is hosted by the Surajkund Mela Authority every year from 1st to 15th February. Colourful festivity is open to visitors from 10.00 a.m. every morning to 9.00 p.m. every evening.