subject: Surajkund Crafts Mela [print this page] In the 10th century AD, there was an amphitheatre sun-pool in Surajkund where the Tomars- the sun worshippers- used to gather. Fascinated by the surroundings of the terrain, Raja Suraj Pal, one of the chieftains, chose to build his stronghold here. A sun-pool and temple were designed. With times the clan and the temple vanished. But the amphitheatre sun-pool continued to stand as it does even today. It is after this sun-pool that this complex came to be christened as Surajkund.
Over the years, Surajkund has grown into a suburban retreat. The Aravalli ranges surround the location. The uneven levels of the land are dotted with clusters of silver oak, eucalyptus, kikar, bottle brush and bougainvillea. Patches of green proclaim the picnic spots. Hide-out fires dot the greens that look out at the sun pool.
In the rural ambience, more than 400 craft person will display and demonstrate their finest crafts work that is set to capture your hearts. The authentic fragrances & flavours of rich Indian cuisines will kindle your taste buds. Tap your feet with the beats of enthralling folk dancers from the various parts of the country.
The fair is not only limited to exhibitions of artwork but also presents the visual delight to its visitors in the form of special Natyashala folk dances and musical evenings at the open-air theatre. Every year, the Surajkund Crafts Mela is planned by selecting a particular Indian state as a theme and entire ambience for the fair is designed accordingly. Many states have showcased its finest handlooms, handicrafts and mouth-watering cuisines in past fairs.
It is in this vast open space that a festive event, Surajkund Crafts Mela, is held each year from February 1 to 15.
What to see
The Surajkund Mela Authority, comprising of the offices of Development Commissioners, Handlooms and Handicrafts, Office of Crafts Museum and Haryana Tourism, working under the apex agency of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has succeeded in creating a crafts village in the Surajkund tourist complex.
Here, the finest of crafts traditions come from the remotest parts of the country, be it the rain forests of Assam, the tribal lands of Bastar, the desert realms of Rajasthan, the Nilgiri hills of south or the awesome stretches of Leh and Ladakh.
How to get there
By Road: Surajkund is well connected to Delhi, Gurgaon and Faridabad district head quarter towns by road. Approachable by tour coaches, tourist taxis and own conveyance.
By Air: The nearest Airport is at Delhi. The complex is 35 minutes drive from the Indira Gandhi International Air port and 25 km from Palam Airport.
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 cab/tourist coach.
During the mela period, special transport services link the main shopping centres and interstate bus stands of Delhi, Gurgaon and Faridabad to the mela grounds.
