Get in touch with your roots, head to Surajkund for that folksy feel

Delhi has numerous places which give a platform to budding artists and craftsmen from across the country. Be it the vibrant and lively Dilli Haat or the annual Trade Fair – craftsmen from across the nation, and beyond, get the opportunity to showcase their talent tothe world.

But another platform which rates high among the artisan fraternity is the annual Surajkund Mela – a 15-day fair organised every year in February by
the Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture in collaboration with Haryana Tourism.

Entering its 28th year, the fair continues to be a big and popular show window for skilled artists and craftsmen from India and even abroad who comes to display their traditional and ethnic arts, crafts and culture. Also, the typical rural setting of the Mela, where artisans sit on mud floors displaying their traditional products and handicrafts,  handloom items et al, as in a village bazaar, adds a folksy feel to the rural
ambience.

The festival ground turns colourful with a number of makeshift stalls that exhibit a colourful range of handloom and Indian craft items. Visitors cannot remain impervious for long to the exquisite paintings, textiles, wood work, ivory work, pottery,
terracotta, stonework and various kinds of jewellery that were on display. The fair  is not just limited to exhibitions but also gives a platform to theatre artistes and dancers to showcase their talent during the daily programmes held during the
two weeks.

The mega event which every year focuses on one state, Goa being the theme state this year, gives an opportunity to different countries to showcase their heritage and handicafts.

Along with shopping and eating, one can also find folk dancers, acrobats, musicians, etc entertaining the crowd and keeping the atmosphere alive.

During this time, Surajkund turns into a cultural platform with all various activities under one roof, representing the nation.

Surajkund is also a shopper’s delight. One can find authentic and attractive products from various parts of India at a very reasonable price – even so, you are well advised to bargain as much as possible! Things which are otherwise not available in the market can also be found in abundance during the fair, like terracotta items, mirrors with wood-crafted borders and furniture made from cane, stonework, etc.

The Mela is also a hub for numerous eating joints – from Punjabi food to Goan cuisine, from Rajasthani food to pizzas – the fair is a one-stop destination for food lovers.
You will be spoilt for choice with all the lip-smacking and delicious cuisines that are on the menu. South Indian and North Indian food, Chinese food – all find their way to the food stalls. It is a culinary adventure of sorts as this year along with Indian food, one can also savour Sri Lankan cuisine and shop around for ethnic Sri Lankan handi
crafts and textile. The ‘theme country’ at this year’s fair is Sri Lanka.