Surajkund Mela is a unique international craft festival that invites artists from across the globe to showcase their culture and talent. Every year this festival is hosted by Haryana Tourism Department in Surajkund, however, this year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic the organisers have cancelled the event.
The Surajkund Mela offers unconventional attractions such as traditional folk dance, puppet skits, musical shows for tourists of every age, over 20 countries from Europe, South Asia and Africa participate in this craft festival, hence making it a huge success.
Origin of Surajkund Mela:
Surajkund is a historic site, eight km from the southern border of Delhi. The Sun temple stood here during AD 1000, the remains of which can still be seen here. The temple and the enchanting surroundings of this place mesmerise the heart of a Tomar chieftain Surajpal, who belonged to a clan of sun worshippers. Raja Surajpal had a sun pool and amphitheatre built in this area with the sun temple at its periphery. After the chieftain Surajpal, who built the complex, the place was named Surajkund.
The story of how the sun pool came into existence is an interesting tale. Over a thousand years ago, the group of Tomar chieftains began establishing their supremacy near Delhi. They built their own domain here, named as ‘Dellikha’. The Tomars were sun worshippers. One chieftain Raja Surajpal worked to build a sun temple at this site. Legend has it that it was after this Raja that the place came to be recognised as Surajkund. But the Tomar kings could not stay here for long. Marauders vanquished the Tomar dynasty and desecrated the temple. But the amphitheatre sun pool built adjacent withstood with that time to become the celebrated fair ground that it is today.
The Surajkund Mela first organised in 1987 and ever since then, Haryana has been organising this festival with great zeal and fervour. With time the festival has gained great importance and has now become the world’s largest International Craft Festival.
However, the Surajkund Mela didn’t kick-start as an International fair, it was only in 2013 that it was upgraded at international level and then it was recognised as ’28th Surajkund International Crafts Mela’. So far more than 15 SAARC countries and some from Africa and Europe have participated in the Fair.
Importance of Surajkund Mela
The festival aims to showcase and promote the talent and culture of local artisans in India. A tapestry of India’s rich artistic and cultural history, it’s no wonder why the Surajkund Mela is a popular event on the itinerary of international tourists each year.
Like every year, the Surajkund Mela Faridabad will have a dedicated section to showcase this rich artistic heritage. It is a fantastic way to indulge artistic sensibilities with historic reminders of cultural roots and traditions.
It plays a small part in encouraging rural craftsmanship and export of local handlooms. It’s the perfect place to pick up one-of-a-kind pieces for your wardrobe and home such as affordable paintings, show-pieces, stone sculptures, or exquisite fabric!
