Come February and the name of the Surajkund Crafts Mela is heard on everybody’s lips, with bated breath. So what’s the big deal about this fair, and what’s it all about that captures the anticipation of the public in the Delhi NCR Region?

Surajkund, meaning ‘Lake of the Sun’, was built in the 10^th century, by the Gurjar King of the Tomar Dynasty. This year was the 30^th edition of this mela. Each year, it is organized by Haryana Tourism and the Surajkund Mela Authority in the vicinity of the Kund. The Mela is the annual showcase of the best crafts by master craftsmen from all over India and overseas, and every year the crafts of one individual state in the country is highlighted. This year, it was the newly created state of Telengana, with craftsmen hailing from Hyderabad, Khammam, Adilabad, Medak, Nizambad, Warangal and Nalgonda districts – the last being the land of the well-known Pochampalli sarees.

What makes this crafts Mela different from the others that abound in every metro is the international section that was started since 2011. You can sample the best crafts from countries you are unlikely to ever visit in your lifetime, posses what they create at bargain prices and even sample their cuisines. This year’s theme country was Japan, and their highlight was their craftsman showcasing recycling into a fine art form.

I sampled some Sushi from the Japanese food section, some Prawn Sambol and salads from the Sri Lankan stalls. Finger-licking mouth- watering good! Picked up an Algerian leather satchel embellished with fine textiles form that region, an Egyptian calligraphed inlaid coaster, and some Japanese washi paper samples!

Weekdays afternoons are the least crowded, but even so one has to be quick to close a bargain, before someone else closes the deal right before you. After all, all’s fair for a bargain at the mela!

The Mela has Chaupals spread across the venue where throughout the day there are folk performances from every region. The constant chuppa-chuppa-chuppa of a helicopter overhead the venue gives you an inkling that other delights await you. For a fee one can have bird’s eye view of the venue.

Surajkund is the highlight of yearly events in the Delhi-NCR calendar every February, with the visitors agog with anticipation of what the next fair could bring.

It’s quite a trek by cab, or the many special Govt. buses that ferry fair goers to the venue, but that doesn’t seem to deter anyone, if the crowds are anything to go by. With each passing year, and metro rail connectivity gets better within the NCR region, thereby improving connectivity with the Surajkund Mela and increasing its annual foot-fall. All Metro stations within Haryana dispense Surajkund Mela tickets from their counters. So come next February, it’s only fair that you experience the exuberance of the Surajkund fare.

Come February and the name of the Surajkund Crafts Mela is heard on everybody’s lips, with bated breath. So what’s the big deal about this fair, and what’s it all about that captures the anticipation of the public in the Delhi NCR Region?

Surajkund, meaning ‘Lake of the Su