If you follow crafts fairs in India, you may be aware Surajkund Crafts Mela takes place from 1st to 15th February every year. Surajkund Mela 2021 was cancelled and the crafts world went into mourning. But then, everyone was looking forward to Surajkund Crafts Mela 2022. After all, Surajkund Mela is the largest crafts fair in the world. But February this year was a difficult month with another wave of coronavirus cases in India and the fair was postponed. Thankfully the country has recovered from that wave. New dates for Surajkund Crafts International Mela 2022 have been announced.
Dates for Surajkund Crafts Mela 2022
The upcoming handicraft exhibition in India that draws eyeballs all across the globe is starting on Saturday, 19th March 2022. It would continue till Monday, 4th April 2022. The fair starts at 10.30 a.m. in the morning and is on till 8.30 p.m. in the evening.
Where is Surajkund Mela held
Surajkund is a beautiful spot in Haryana in the part that is adjacent to Delhi. The ruins of a water reservoir here date back to the 10th century. It is said that King Suraj of the Tomar dynasty was the worshiper of the Sun God. He built a temple in ode to the Sun God, Suraj in many Indian languages, and a water reservoir. The water reservoir still remains here and thus this place is called Surajkund, Kund meaning a reservoir.
The Surajkund Mela is held in this area that is about 8 km from South Delhi.
How to reach Surajkund Mela
Many are confused as to how to reach Surajkund Mela. A good option is to drive or hire a cab. There are multiple parking spots earmarked for the fair. Make sure, you park at the designated parking area and not any random open spaces.
During the fair time, special buses run from ISBT, Gurgaon and Faridabad.
The nearest metro stations to Surajkund Mela are Sarai Metro Station and Badarpur Metro Station, both on the Violet Line of Delhi Metro. Autorickshaws are available at the metro stations to take you to Surajkund.
What to look out for
Shopping at Surajkund
Surajkund Crafts Mela sees huge participation not only of artisans from various corners of India but also many foreign countries. In fact, in the year 2013, the fair was upgraded to international standards and called Surajkund International Crafts Mela. Therefore, this fair is primarily a treasure trove of all things handmade.
India apparently produces more than 95% of handloom textiles in the world. You get to see a very rich collection of handloom items here. These are woven, printed, embroidered. Saris, running fabrics, and stitched garments for men, women, and children are a big draw. The style needless to say is Indian.
If you don’t want to go the full hog, you can add a scarf maybe in Ajrakh print to your ensemble and bring a special twist. Silver, beads and tribal ornaments and accessories such as hats and handbags are also very popular from here.
Surajkund is also the spot to buy all kinds of Indian footwear like jootis, Kolhapuri chappals, nagras and so on. Leather artists, of late, experiment a lot in this area and come up with amazing variety.
The same applies to the home décor segment. Amazing bedspreads, table covers, mats, cushions and pillow covers, curtains in many design styles from all corners of India are available here. Such items add a certain panache to your homes. These make great gifts too.
Another item that we personally look out for is light furniture. Mostly made via traditional art forms, the designs are very contemporary and something that can be easily accommodated in a small apartment. Offbeat mirrors, stools, poufs and clothes horses and small shelves made with bamboo, jute, cast iron have added a crafty twist to our homes.
Surajkund Mela 2022 theme state
While all states of India participate in the fair, anyone state is selected as a focal state and its art, crafts and culture is especially highlighted.
The theme state this year is Jammu and Kashmir. We, therefore, expect to see a lot more walnut wood trays, lacquer work and pheran, the Kashmiri loose shirt.
Surjakund Mela 2022 partner country
Among the many foreign countries that participate in Surajkund Fair, a single country is specially chosen as the focal point or partner country.
Uzbekistan has been chosen as the partner country this year. Hence we are looking forward to tasting solid dollop of Central Asian art and culture.
Food at Surajkund Mela
If crafts shopping tires you, there are many food courts here. Cuisines from various states, including offbeat and unheard items can be tasted at Surjakund. Tea, coffee, coconut water and many soft beverages like shikanji, soda and so on can be had along with the food. Water booths are placed at various points for filling the bottles and hydrating.
Our favourite food here is Raj Kachori from Rajasthan food outlet and Dabheli from Maharashtra, of course with a cup of thick milky tea, typically what we call chai in North India.
Cultural performances at Surajkund Mela
Hundreds of artists from India and abroad assemble during the Surajkund Mela. There are many amphitheatres called chaupal in the fairground where scheduled programs of music, dance and martial arts are held during fair timings. Classical concerts are held in the evenings.
In addition, many folk dance groups from Gujarat, Rajasthan or Chhattisgarh break into impromptu dances at empty spaces. The fair visitors often join in. This completes the carnival mood.
Tickets for Surajkund Mela 2022
Tickets for Surajkund Mela are available online as well as at the counters on the fairground. As far as we know, tickets this year are available on Paytm app.
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Pro-Tips
Now that we have prepped you, do visit the Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2022 like a pro. There is something for everyone here.
- Surajkund Mela is an outdoor event. Given that it is being held so late in 2022, do wear summer-friendly garments.
- Although there is adequate lighting in the evening, given the density of stalls, daylight helps. If you wish to check out the products here, we suggest you make the most of the sunlight.
- Expect much heavier traffic during weekends.
- Surajkund Mela is hugely popular among visitors and locals alike. If you buy tickets online, you would surely be saving time.
If you have queries about attending the Surajkund Crafts fair, please leave a comment below. We will try to answer to the best of our abilities.
Might sound weird as I lived in Delhi from 2012 to 2014 and again last year I shifted back here yet I never heard of Surajkund Mela. This Mela surely looks good. And I loved that they have hand made things. As the Mela starts in April surely I’ll visit there this time.
Let us know if you like it.
You know I have been meaning to visit Surajkund just to attend this mela. But lady luck has always eluded me. Maybe I will visit it soon. For now, I can tell what a fantastic job you two are doing. Thanks for bringing the mela to us.
Thanks a lot for your kind words Rahul 🙂
Wow so many beautiful things at Surajkund Crafts Mela. I had never heard of this mela, would love to attend someday, maybe next year. Thanks for sharing this article.
Glad you liked it.
Seems the Surajkund Mela is getting better and better! I visited way back in 2014. It’s really a great place for shopping and of course eating local delicacies.
Indeed it is.
This Surajkhand Mela looks like a perfect place to shop for Indian handicraft and local products. Shopping in mela with good food, what more does one want.
Surajkund is a wholesome experience.