A stupefying bonanza of vivid art, craft, music and dance, colourful ambiance, ethnic cuisines, and an immersive cultural ethos – Yes, we are talking about the Surajkund Mela 2024 that is waiting to blow your mind yet again! Occupying a place of pride on the international tourist calendar since 1987, the fair observes more than a million visitors every year, thousands of which are foreign tourists.
Getting more and more attractive, fun, and consumer-friendly each year, the Surajkund Mela is not just the best platform for the skilled craftsmen and artisans of India and other SAARC nations to show their talent, but also a wonderful opportunity for the public to learn about their vibrant culture and get to respect the age-old craft that is better than any machine produce.
From the Surajkund Mela timings, dates, timings, budget, history, to the best places to stay and dine around the premises, this Surajkund Mela Guide has all the information you need. This February, join the celebration of India’s diverse heritage and be part of the biggest cultural fiesta the world has ever seen!
Surajkund Mela 2024 General Information
From the Surajkund Mela timings, dates, timings, budget, history, to the best places to stay and dine around the premises, this Surajkund Mela Guide has all the information you need. This February, join the celebration of India’s diverse heritage and be part of the biggest cultural fiesta the world has ever seen!
Location: Surajkund, Faridabad
Area: 40 acres with about 1010 work huts
Organised By: Surajkund Mela Authority in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture, External Affairs, Department of Tourism, Government of Haryana and Haryana Tourism Corporation
First Hosted In: 1987
Surajkund Mela Dates
Surajkund Mela 2024, the 37th edition, will be held in Surajkund, Faridabad from February 2nd 2024 to February 18th 2024. There will be various events and programs to commemorate each day of this half-month-long celebration. The Surajkund Mela will take place every day from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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Surajkund Mela Entry Ticket
Surajkund Craft Mela ticket price will mostly stay between INR 100/- to 200/- as per the trend.
Weekdays: INR 120/- per person
Weekends: INR 180/- per person
The Surajkund Mela 2024 organising authority provides a 50% rebate on the entry tickets of differently-abled people, senior citizens, serving soldiers, and war widows and their dependents.
Other than this, college and school students can enjoy a discount of 50% on their entry tickets on weekdays provided they produce valid ID cards at the time of purchasing the Surajkund Mela tickets.
Here’s What To Expect
Are you eager to see the 37th Surajkund Mela? Expect colourful traditional dances, calming music, and breathtaking theatrical productions from various nations and regions of India.
Northeast India is the designated cultural partner, noted for its unique fusion artistry, bamboo masterpieces, and diverse cuisine. A moving traditional performance, like the Bihu and Cheraw bamboo dance, is undoubtedly enjoyable. Tanzania, the Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024 Partner Nation, is adding an international fair to the event. There will be more than 500 African Union performers showcasing Tanzanian art, craft, custom, and culture.
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Surajkund Mela Daily Events
Here’s what’s in store for you on each day of this mega extravaganza:
| Date | Day | Performance |
| 2nd February | Friday | Opening Ceremony by Maitreyi |
| 3rd February | Saturday | A mesmerising Bhakti performance by Mithali Thakur |
| 4th February | Sunday | Swing to the tunes of International Fusion Artists |
| 5th February | Monday | Spell binding cultural show by Art and Cultural Affairs Department , Government of Haryana |
| 6th February | Tuesday | Sway to the vibes of enchanting music by North Eastern Band |
| 7th February | Wednesday | Foot tapping Gujarati tunes by Bollywood Artist (Gujarat- Theme State) |
| 8th February | Thursday | Enthralling performance by Haryanvi Artist |
| 9th February | Friday | Scintillating Fashion Show by Gujarat Theme State |
| 10th February | Saturday | Captivating musical show by Shillong Choir |
| 11th February | Sunday | Groove to the tunes of electrifying performance by Papon |
| 12th February | Monday | Soul Stirring Sufi performance by Padamashri Ustad Ahmed Hussain and Ustad Mohammed Hussain |
| 13th February | Tuesday | Dazzling performance by Punjabi Pop sensation Daler Mehndi |
| 14th February | Wednesday | Rock to the music of Parikrama Band |
| 15th February | Thursday | Classical Gujarati performance by Geeta Rabri |
| 16th February | Friday | Fashion show by the North Eastern States |
| 17th February | Saturday | Spellbinding performance by Legendary Padma Shri Kailash Kher – Kailasa Live |
| 18th February | Sunday | Closing Ceremony – by Maitreyi |
Surajkund Mela Theme
The prime highlight of the Surajkund fair is that one Indian state gets the special honour of being the Theme State of the year. The concept of the Theme State was brought upon with a view to promote and focus on the art, craft, culture, and cuisine of one state per year.
This way, the Mela provides the Theme State a rare opportunity to showcase its handicrafts, handlooms, architecture, performing arts, cuisine, and its tourist potential to an enormous cross-section of the population in an impressive manner. So much so that the whole Surajkund Mela theme, right from the entire look of the entrance and the grounds, and the whole setting of the furniture, colours, decor, down to the architecture of the fair is based entirely on that particular state.
The 2024 Surajkund Crafts Mela will highlight Gujarat’s rich cultural tapestry as the chosen theme state. The fairgrounds, from decorations to stalls, will be adorned with elements that showcase the vibrant heritage of Gujarati culture.
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What Happens At The Surajkund Crafts Mela
The brainchild of Haryana Tourism, this mela was established to promote the pool of skilled artisans from the well known as well as remote regions of the country and save our cultural heritage from extinction due to the cheaper machine-made imitations.
An earnest collaborative effort of the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism, this mela provides a platform to various craftspersons across the country to directly market their goods and sell it to the public by eliminating the middlemen.
Each year, an Indian state is chosen to the Theme State of the mela, and a participating country as the Partner Nation. The purpose of this is simple – to mark the focus of the fair on the crafts of a particular theme that will showcase the best of its art, culture, traditions, and heritage during the entire duration of the mela.
Craftspersons, artisans, cultural troupes, musicians, and master chefs from this state and nation present their talent and skills and enthrall the visitors at the premises.
So, in order to help preserve the languishing arts & crafts of India, the Surajkund Mela offers its craftsmen and visitors alike a lifetime experience to indulge in the biggest market of cultural exchange. This exchange happens here in many forms:
- Handcrafted goods that showcase the expert craftsmanship and creativity of the people belonging to different regions, states, and countries
- Delicious delicacies of different places that are sure to take you on a gastronomical joyride
- Vibrant folk performances at the Chaupals and the open-air theatre ‘Natyashala’ inside that display the place’s cultural distinctiveness
- Skits or plays performed by the youth at various different venues of the mela, mostly addressing the social issues affecting our society using the mela as a platform for bringing these to light owing to the enormous turnover of people here
- The colours and crafty look of the mela that displays the heritage of theme region and changes each year
- A great platform for the traditional skills of India’s great artisans that are fading slowly due to cheap machine made imitations
- Musical evenings at the ‘Natyashala’ where the best of musicians from various states come together to treat your ears to soothing traditional music of different areas of the country, something you can’t experience anywhere else
- Designated places for amusement, adventure sports, and joyrides at the venue
Unveiling The Surajkund Mela History
An ancient reservoir of the 10th century, Surajkund is the site of the popular Surajkund Mela located 8 km away from South Delhi in Faridabad. It’s name comes from the ancient amphitheatre or ‘Sun Pool’ that was constructed here in the 10th century AD by Raja SurajPal. Located in the Aravalli mountain range, Surajkund derives its popularity from this famous crafts mela launched in 1981 other than being a famous picnic spot near Delhi.
Operating on a relatively smaller scale in the beginning years, the fair was upgraded to an international level in 2013. By 2015, the number of countries participating in this annual affair had shot up to 20, where Lebanon was the Partner Nation and Chhattisgarh was the theme state.
Other previous partner nations (usually a SAARC country) include Egypt, Thailand, Africa, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, China, and Japan. This number is expected to rise in the coming years with more countries being added to the list.
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Things To Do At The Surajkund Mela
The fair is a great platform to take a peek into our heritage as well as gain an insight into the cultural diversity of our nation to know what each part of it offers. See what all you can do there.
1. Shopping
Dear shopaholics, the Surajkund Mela is officially your playground and you can run amok buying whatever you want without guilt or worries of budget. Since craftsmen and artisans at the mela sell their goods at relatively fair prices in comparison to their home states, shopping at the Surajkund fair will definitely go easy on your pocket.
But make sure you have company to help you carry those twenty thousand bags home! From handicrafts to textiles, carpets to wall hangings, fragrant soaps to organically grown spices, there’s nothing you can’t buy at the Surajkund International Crafts Mela.
2. Cuisines
Not just shopaholics, but the Surajkund International Crafts mela is the go-to-place for all foodies as well. One is sure to experience the flavours and spicy cuisines of various parts of India at this fair, so if you’re into trying something new, this is nirvana.
Offering travellers the chance to indulge in varied delicious delicacies of different states and regions, the various food stalls and the enormous food court of Surajkund Mela are sure to take you on a gastronomical joyride
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3. Cultural Performances
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Folk performances of the Theme State can be seen throughout the festival. Just follow the crowds and lively music, and you might catch a glimpse of a vivid dance performance here and there. Or better, you can head to ‘Natyashala’, an amphitheatre kind of area designated for such performances inside the mela.
Holding continuous cultural gigs like folk dance performances, skits and street plays, musical evenings, ‘Kavi Sammelans’, and stunt shows, the various activities of this stage will surely be a treat to your eyes and ears throughout the day
4. Amusement Zone
While you go shopping, let your kids enjoy themselves on the many rides and swings at the park’s Amusement Zone. From Ferris Wheels to Bungee Jumping to video games, there are plenty of activities for kids and young people to enjoy in this entertaining sector, allowing you to explore the mela while your children have a great time!
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What To Buy At The Surajkund Mela
The mela unfolds to the world India’s enormous pool of skills and creativity wrapped up in a wonderful range of handmade products. The world’s largest fair let’s you buy things like:
- Textiles
- Paintings
- Items made from wood, ivory, stonework, lacquerware, cane, grass, and more
- Pottery
- Food items
- Home decor
- Organic and Ayurvedic goods
- Naturally made cosmetics and body care products
Some of the most popular Indian crafts you can buy in the Surajkund Mela at relatively lower prices are:
- Sandalwood and rosewood carving from South India
- Banarasi Sarees from Varanasi
- Madhubani painting from Bihar
- Puppetry and spices from Rajasthan
- Tibetan bells and clothes from North East
- The famous ‘Chikri’ woodcraft of Kashmir
- Unique cane craft and ‘Kantha’ traditions of West Bengal
- ‘Phulkari’ embroidery from Punjab
- Terracotta items from Delhi
- ‘Banjara’, ‘Bandhani’, and ‘Bunni’ embroidery of Gujarat
- Lace and crochet from Goa
- Chikan work of Lucknow
Some of the best International crafts you can buy in the mela include:
- Brass ornaments, mulberry paper stationery, and celadon ware from Thailand
- Carpets, pottery, mosaic, and glass lanterns from Egypt
- Traditional folding fans, porcelain, and Lacquerware from Japan
- Jade figurines and Chinese silk from China
- Tea, Batik fabric, and gems from Sri Lanka
Highlights Of Surajkund Mela
The Surajkund Mela has incorporated some major changes to eliminate certain visitor inconveniences, obey the recent guidelines and laws set down by the Government, and to make the overall experience of visiting this festival. Here’s the highlight of Surajkund Mela:
1. Digital Payments
In light of the Digital India movement, priority is now being given to digital payments and internet banking for every transaction inside the Surajkund Mela premises, be it purchasing handicrafts or buying fair entry tickets. Adequate amount of POS (point of sale) machines will be made available at the mela to licensed users, just like last year.
2. Participation
More than 20 foreign countries are expected to participate in the coming fest, with more than 200 foreign participants. So, while the enthusiasm about this affair hasn’t dropped an inch in the past years, the tourists also tend to come in large numbers every year. Make sure you book well in advance to avoid the crowd at the end moment.
3. Availability of Entry tickets
The tickets for the mela are now available at eminent online portals, along with several metro stations. This feature makes it only easier to access the fair, making it a delight for travelers visiting from all across the country.
4. Entry Ticket Rebate
Concessions in the ticket prices are being given to people belonging to various categories like senior citizens, differently abled, soldiers, war widows, female students of Government aided schools, and more.
5. E-surveillance
More than 200 CCTV Cameras with night vision capability have been installed.
6. Transfers
Golf carts and e-rickshaws (battery operated) will be made available on request to facilitate the movement of senior citizens and differently-abled persons.
7. Eco-Friendly
Mobile toilet vans and eco-friendly public toilets have been installed. Also, the fair will observe a complete ban on the use of plastic/polythene bags within the premises.
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Places To Visit Near Surajkund Mela
The mela is undoubtedly the highlight of your trip. But for those who wish to explore places beyond the happening Surajkund Handicraft Mela, they can head to these intriguing places near Delhi and Surajkund, most of which still lie in their pristine, untouched state!
1. Badkhal Lake
Nestled amidst the enchanting landscapes of Haryana, Badkhal Lake emerges as a captivating haven for both locals and tourists alike. Celebrated for its breathtaking scenic beauty, the lake beckons visitors seeking respite from the demands of daily life, offering a tranquil escape to refresh their spirits.
This idyllic destination, located at a convenient distance of approximately 32 km from Delhi, serves as a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. The allure of Badkhal Lake lies not only in its proximity but also in the picturesque embrace of the majestic Aravalli hills that border its shores, creating a harmonious blend of nature’s grandeur.
Location: Badkhal village near Faridabad
Timings: 9 am to 11 pm, All Days
Ticket Price: Free
2. Tughlaqabad Fort
Image Credit: Anupamg for Wikimedia Commons
After attending the Surajkund Mela, extend your cultural journey by visiting Tughlaqabad. This historical marvel, nestled in the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor, offers more than just a glimpse into the past. Explore the Anangpur Dam, experience tranquillity at Surajkund Reservoir, marvel at Adilabad ruins, and unwind by the picturesque Badkhal Lake. Don’t miss the expansive Damdama Lake – Tughlaqabad awaits, adding historical depth to your post-Mela escapade.
Location: G776+P29, Tughlaqabad Fort, Tughlakabad, New Delhi
Timings: 7 am to 5 pm, All Days
Ticket Price: Indian Citizens: INR 20, Children below 15 yrs:No entrance fee, Foreigner/NRI Citizens: INR 250
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3. Anagpur Dam
Believed to have been built in the 8th century AD, the ancient Anangpur Dam lies approximately 2 km southwest of Surajkund. The dam was constructed by Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351-88) who had a quartzite stone placed over the mouth of a narrow ravine here to catch rainwater.
When here, you’ll also be able to see the ruins of ancient fortifications in the neighboring Aravalli hills which lend credence to the belief that there existed a town or some sort of settlement in the Anangpal region once.
Location: Village-Anangpur, District-Faridabad
Timings: Open 24 hours
Ticket Price: Free
4. Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary
Sprinkle some adventure in your shopping expedition by visiting this wildlife sanctuary nearby. Located on the southern ridge of the northern terminal of the Aravalli Ranges, the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most fun and adventurous places in Delhi NCR to be at after you’ve seen the Surajkund Mela. Home to a wide variety of birds and animals including reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, the sanctuary offers a tryst with Nature to those who wish to get away from the choking city life. This is amongst the best picnic spots near Delhi.
Often called the ‘Green Lung & Carbon Sink’ of Delhi, this 2 km long exhibit of the floral & faunal diversity of NCR laid across the Aravalli mountains is a treat to all nature and wildlife lovers as well as trekking enthusiasts. The myriad birds that flock to this place in the migratory season make it one of the best places to visit near Delhi in winters for bird watchers and photographers.
Location: F7V6+53J, Shooting Range Rd, Asola WildLife Sanctuary
Timings: Tuesday – Sunday 7 am–3 pm (Closed On Monday)
Ticket Price: There is no ticket price to move around the Sanctuary
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How To Reach The Surajkund Mela
Surajkund in Faridabad lies a mere 8 km from South Delhi and is well connected to other major states and cities via a good network of roadways, railways, and airways.
By Road
Apart from Delhi and Faridabad, Surajkund is connected to cities like Gurgaon, Chandigarh, and Jaipur. One can travel to Surajkund by their own conveyance, or take a private cab. Regular buses from Delhi to Faridabad also ply from various places in the two cities.
Average bus fare: INR 30/- per person (subject to change)
By Metro
The most economical means to reach Surajkund from Delhi, Faridabad, Noida, and Gurgaon is by the metro. This interconnected metro network provided scope for effortless travelling to and fro the fair. Golf Carts and e-rickshaws are readily available from this metro station and can take you to and fro the fair premises in a matter of minutes and at economical rates.
Nearest metro station to Surajkund Mela: Badarpur
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Excited already? Hold your horses and start planning your ultimate trip to Delhi. It’s time to gear up for the biggest cultural extravaganza anyone has ever witnessed – the Surajkund Mela. Share this with all your shopaholic buddies and keep watching this space for updates on Theme State and other information that is yet to be announced.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Surajkund Mela
Which is the Theme State of the Surajkund Mela?
The Theme State keeps changing every year. The Theme State for this year's International Crafts Mela is Gujarat.
How to get to the Surajkund Mela from Delhi by bus?
In order to facilitate smooth travel to and fro the Surajkund Craft Mela, the Haryana State Roadways Department had initiated a dedicated bus service between Gurgaon, Delhi, and Faridabad that used to ply from designated bus stops. Running in specific time slots from Gurgaon to Faridabad via Delhi and then back from Faridabad to Gurgaon via Delhi, the buses are supposed to make six trips throughout the day.
What is the ticket price of Surajkund Mela?
Surajkund Craft Mela ticket price will mostly stay between INR 100/- to 200/- as per the trend.
What is the address of Surajkund Craft Mela?
The Surajkund fair is held every year at Surajkund that is located in the district of Faridabad on the Delhi - Agra National Highway. It is a mere 8 km away from South Delhi.
How much time is enough to explore Surajkund Mela?
A minimum of 5-6 hours is required to experience the best of Surajkund Mela. There are numerous pavilions and many things to explore.
What can I buy from Surajkund Mela?
The place offers an enormous collection of dresses, materials, shawls, handicrafts, decorative, and almost everything you expect in a Mela.
Best time to visit Surajkund Craft Mela?
The best time to visit Surajkund Mela is during the weekdays as there is less crowd and you get to enjoy the fair to the fullest.
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