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Surajkund Crafts Mela- Melting pot of creative excellence!
How would you best define an Indian rural festival or fair? Though we at some point of time have experienced them, there would still be qualms of definitions about it. To delineate in elementary terms, any Indian festivity would highlight its true cultural ethos. A typical Indian scene, where there is a huge conglomeration of people exuding vibrancy and mirth. Activities like animal shows, traditional dance forms, and regional musical performances take place. In addition to that, there are small stalls and marts selling intricate jewelry, edibles, traditional garments, paintings, pottery and other art and craft items.
To name one such popular fair is the Surajkund Crafts Mela held annually in the small township of Haryana. The fair in all sense is the spring fiesta in Haryana. Right after the nippy winter that envelope the town for a long time, the fair is a harbinger of color, celebrations and joy. Commencing on the onset of Spring, the "Mela" with its cultural performances and various handicraft exhibitions sets the terrain on a happy and festive mood.
If one were to outline the nature of the festival, then this is a quintessential "Mela" having much similarity with the Kumbh Mela. You can reach the Surajkund ground from Delhi easily. It is just a small distance ahead of Badarpur Border.
Surajkund Mela Highlights
Let us have a look at the highlights for the Surajkund Mela:-
- The "Mela" witnesses participation from various neighboring countries.
- The coterie of craftsman gathering here, hail from various parts of India, the neighboring countries and the SAARC region. All of them display their best collections in handicrafts and handloom crafts.
- The best cultural programs are organized and managed jointly by Haryana Kala Parishad & Cultural Affairs Department, Haryana and Ministry of Culture,ICCR,New Delhi, Theme State Andhra Pradesh
- Food lovers would love the food court that serves Indian cuisine and other sumptuous preparations of the SAARC region.
- The "Mela" organizes an amusement zone that offers the visitors and children with swings and other playful rides.
- There are folk dance performances by colleges and schools at the Chaupal. This starts from 11:00 am onwards in the morning.
- There is Buyers and Exporters Meet that are held at the Surajkund Design Galleries. This is done with the help of the DC Handicrafts and DC Handlooms.
The name Surajkund means the "Lake of the Sun". It is a little town situated on the outskirts of Delhi, at Haryana. As the Mela sets in, the entire village is transformed to a melting pot of art and crafts. As you stroll around, the atmosphere is that of mirth and enthusiasm. Needless to say, that these few days the fair is over crowded, and at times, it becomes difficult to navigate through the mob.
The fair and its festivities are carried on for a stretch of 14 days annually. In these few days it becomes a hub of artists, talented painters, industrious craftsman, artistic weavers and successful sculptors. Several foreign visitors and travelers march the undulating terrain of Surajkund, making their way to the shops and bargain for the Indian crafts and other decorative items on sale.
Reaching Surajkund Mela
From Delhi, its is easy for travelers to reach the Surajkund ground. On your way you would realize, that it is a pleasant change from the hustle bustle of the everyday life in Delhi. The rural hues takes you back to nature and all that is simple and stoic. Geographically, Surajkund is located in Faridabad district, at a distance of 8 kilometers from South Delhi.
Travelers can avail busses from Gurgaon, Shivaji Stadium, and Faridabad. Alternatively cabs or tourist coaches can be hired, that would lead you to the venue from Delhi. In addition, one can even be a part of the special tours organized by Haryana Tourist Bureau at Janpath. For visitors arriving Delhi via flight, can hire cars from the airport directly and be there at the Surajkund Mela. From the Palam Airport the fair is at a distance of 25kms and from the Indira Gandhi Airport it takes about 35 minutes to reach the site.
Surajkund Mela Timings
Surajkund Mela Authority takes full responsibility of planning, hosting and organizing the event. Visitors can walk into the ground anytime in the morning to evening, between 9:30 am to the 7:00 pm.
Food stalls in Surajkund Mela
Any Indian fair and festival is incomplete without food preparations and stalls. This is an attraction that the gourmet lovers can look forward to. The mini food festivals offer "thalis" and other traditional platters that are reasonably priced. Travelers can choose from the North Indian, South Indian and other regional varieties. Popular items include the Payas, Lassi, Uttapams and Ghevar. Chinese snacks and dishes would entice the urban audience who come to Haryana only for a short span of time to be a part of the fair. The food stalls serves local sweet dishes like Mithe Chawal, Kheer, Churma and Malpuas.
Cultural Performances in Surajkund Mela
The Mela, apart from food stalls and handicraft exhibition displays cultural and creative renditions. The folk theater is quiet a craze, taking place in an "open-air theater" style. The term for the same is "Natyashala". They depict various regional and religious folklore of Haryana. Some of them are based on fables and anecdotes that have been passed on from one generation to the other by the ancestors. All these add a rustic fervor to the celebrations.
Being more than a week long celebration, held annually the Surajkund Mela is a platform where artists from all over the country gets chance to display their talents in terms of their creative renditions. The various items on sale include the textile work, mirror work crafts, ivory motifs, terracotta jewelry, stonework and even wood stock. Grass work, cane and lack work too are famous crafts work that you can get for yourself. With numerous buyers and sellers, bargaining is but a natural phenomenon.
For few days, the Mela is the source of all the joy and entertainment for the villagers. On a broader scale, it represents the cultural diversity and the artistic excellence of India.
About the Author
To know more about India Travel and Fairs and Festivals in Haryana just visit http://www.indianholiday.com/fairs-festivals-india/haryana/
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