A splash of colour, the rhythm of drum beats and joie de vivre come together at Surajkund in Faridabad, Haryana (India), during the first fortnight of February every year.
The curtain rises on the acclaimed annual Surajkund International Crafts Mela on 1st February, opening a celebration of Indian folk traditions and cultural heritage. Occupying a place of pride on the international tourist calendar, more than a million visitors, including thousands of foreign tourists, create crowds at this fair. The Surajkund Fair is unique for its showcasing of the richness and diversity of handicrafts, hand-looms and the cultural fabric of India, while it is also the world’s largest crafts fair.
Over the years, this annual fair has come to occupy a place of pride and prominence on the Indian tourist calendar. Previous editions of the fair have attracted more than 1.2 million visitors, with events unfolding through a wonderful range of textiles, paintings, wood stock, ivory work, pottery, terracotta, stonework, lacquerware, cane and grass products.
This largest crafts fair in the world is jointly hosted by the Indian Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs, in coordination with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Tourism Department of the State of Haryana. More than 20 countries and all Indian states will participate in 2019’s 33rd Surajkund International Crafts Fair.
The multi-cuisine Food Court provides ethnic cuisine from all over the world, which proves immensely popular with visitors. The scintillating folk performances at the two ‘Chaupals’ (open-air theatres) and mesmerising evening recitals at the ‘Natyashala’ (Theatre) only add to entertainment content.
There are designated areas for amusement, adventure sports and fairground rides, making this a must-visit event. The Surajkund International Crafts Mela offers visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
