image reach page

About Us

Surajkund International Crafts Mela: A Global Celebration of Art & Culture


A Fair to Remember
The Surajkund International Crafts Mela is more than an exhibition—it is an experience that lingers in memory. Whether you’re indulging in authentic crafts, being mesmerized by folk performances, or savoring global flavors, every moment at Surajkund is an invitation to step into a world of colors, creativity, and culture. So, come and be part of this grand celebration—where the world meets at one place, and every corner tells a story waiting to be explored!

Partner Nations: A World of Creativity at Surajkund The Surajkund International Crafts Mela has long been a confluence of cultures, where art, tradition, and craftsmanship from around the world come alive.


Vision

The Mela was conceived primarily to promote the pool of skilled artisans, who used indigenous technology, but were suffering due to the cheaper machine-made imitations. This is an earnest effort by Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism to provide a platform for craftspersons and wavers to directly market their wares by eliminating the middlemen. To preserve the languishing arts & crafts of India, Surajkund Crafts Mela was hosted for the first time in 1987. The Mela ground is spread over 40 acres and houses about 1000 workhuts that host craftspersons and weavers. Surajkund International Crafts Mela offers its visitors a lifetime experience as it unfolds a wonderful range of textiles, paintings, wood stock, ivory work, pottery, terracotta, stonework, lac lacquerware, cane and grass products.

Aims and Objectives Image

Aims and Objectives

  • To organise, manage, and run the Surajkund International Craft Mela at Surajkund Faridabad to promote handicrafts and handlooms with the aid of craftsmen invited from all over the country.
  • To identify languishing and lesser-known crafts and to introduce them to patrons.
  • To display crafts and loom techniques by organising demonstration sections on the Mela grounds.
  • To undertake the promotion of the export of handlooms and handicrafts.
  • To set up an environment in which rural crafts traditions could be displayed and to project the traditional rural ambience of a typical village near Delhi for travellers who may not have the time or means to visit an Indian village.

Partner Nation: BIMSTEC - The Spirit of Regional Unity (2025)

This year, BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) takes center stage as the Partner Nation, bringing together the artistic essence of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The participation of these nations is a celebration of shared history, cultural richness, and artistic brilliance.


From the intricate Dokka metal craft of Nepal to the handwoven Jamdani textiles of Bangladesh, from Sri Lanka's elegant batik prints to Thailand’s delicate Benjarong ceramics, each country showcases its legacy through its artistic treasures. Myanmar’s lacquerware, Bhutan’s Thangka paintings, and India's myriad folk traditions add to the grandeur, creating a living museum of heritage. Visitors can also savor BIMSTEC's diverse culinary flavors, from Bhutanese Ema Datshi to Burmese Mohinga and Thai Satay, each dish an explosion of taste and tradition.


Aims and Objectives Image
Aims and Objectives Image

Theme States : Odisha and Madhyapradesh

A Tale of Two Cultures The heart of India beats through Madhya Pradesh, while the soul of Odisha resonates with timeless traditions. This year, both states come together to take visitors on a journey through their art, folklore, and cultural grandeur.


Odisha:The Canvas of Divine Art Odisha, the land of the majestic Jagannath Temple, is famed for its Pattachitra paintings, Sambalpuri weaves, and filigree silverwork. At Surajkund, visitors will witness Odisha’s shadow puppetry, Gotipua classical dance (the precursor to Odissi), and the warrior dance, Paika Nrutya. The traditional arts of stone carving, applique work, and palm-leaf etching transport visitors into a world of divine artistry. The aroma of Dalma, Chhena Poda, Rasogola and Pakhala Bhata fills the air, offering a gastronomic delight unique to Odisha’s culinary heritage.


Madhya Pradesh:The Land of Timeless Traditions Steeped in history, Madhya Pradesh is a land where Gond paintings narrate age-old folklore, Maheshwari sarees weave tales of elegance, and tribal metalwork reflects the raw beauty of nature. The state’s artisans bring a stunning array of crafts—Dhokra brass figurines, Chanderi silk drapes, Bagh block prints, and intricate stone carvings. The performances are equally mesmerizing, with the energetic Matki dance, the hypnotic Tertali, and the soul-stirring Pandavani storytelling captivating audiences.

Partner Nations over the years

  • Tanzania is the Partner Nation for the 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024.
  • Became the Focus Nation in the 23rd Surajkund Crafts Mela-2009. That’s how the idea was mooted to introduce a country/nation as a Focus Nation.
  • Thailand was introduced as the first Focus Nation during the 26th Surajkund Crafts Mela-2012.
  • A group of African Nations participated as Focus Nations in the 27th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2013.
  • Sri Lanka was participated as Focus Nation for 28th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2014.
  • Lebanon was participated as Focus Nation for the 29th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2015.
  • China and Japan was the Focus Nation for 30th Surajkund International Crafts Mela -2016
  • Kyrgyzstan was the partner Nation for 32nd Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2018
  • Thailand was the the partner Nation for 33rd Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2019
  • Uzbekistan was the partner Nation for 34th & Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2020
  • United Kingdom was the partner Nation for 35th & Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2022
  • Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was the partner Nation for 36th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2023
Aims and Objectives Image
Aims and Objectives Image

Features of Mela

Major highlights of the 38th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2025


BIMSTEC will participate as the ‘Partner nation’ and showcase its crafts, culture, art forms and cuisines at the mela

  • Odisha and Madhyapradesh will participate as the ‘Theme States’ and will exhibit its cultural forms, handicrafts, traditional artisans at the mela
  • Keeping pace with the Information Technology (IT) advancements, the Mela entry tickets will be booked online
  • As a corporate social responsibility initiative, the Surajkund Mela Authority provides 50% rebate on the entry tickets to the differently-abled persons, senior citizens and serving defense personnel and ex- servicemen.
  • A number of competitions to be organised for school students.
  • Exporters and Buyers Meet is organised during the Mela fortnight that offers a ready support system for craftspersons to access and tap the export market.
  • To beef up security arrangements, CCTV Cameras have been installed in the Mela ground along with the Night Vision Cameras. A large number of security personnel, including women guards, are deployed in the Mela premises to prevent the occurrence of any untoward incident or mishap.
  • Fire Brigade team and medical teams will be available for any emergency throughout the Mela.
  • Disaster Management Plan/ Evacuation Plan is in place with state-of-the-art medical, fire and disaster management facilities at all crucial points
  • Bank, dispensary, Mela police control room & CCTV control room are located at a centralized location so that visitors and participants can have easy access to these essential services.

Music & Dance: A Celebration of Rhythm & Melody

Surajkund is not just about crafts—it is a melting pot of melodies. The open-air theater, Natyashala, pulsates with the rhythm of folk dances, soulful ballads, and electrifying musical performances. This year, Baiga and Rai dance from Madhya Pradesh will blend with Odisha’s Odissi and Ghumura, creating a spellbinding fusion of movements and stories.


The evenings at Chaupal are filled with the enchanting strains of Ghazals, Thumris, and Ragas, as celebrated artists take the stage to weave magic through music. The festival is a living testament to India’s cultural heritage, where visitors can immerse themselves in an unforgettable symphony of sound and movement.


music and dance
apna ghar image

Apna Ghar: The Soul of Haryana

Adding to the authentic experience, Apna Ghar, a traditional Haryanvi home, welcomes visitors into the rustic charm of Haryana. Mud walls adorned with folk motifs, charpais in open verandas, and artisans crafting earthenware, rugs, and metal artifacts transport visitors into a bygone era. It is a space where guests can interact with craftsmen, learn about their traditions, and witness the beauty of handcrafted heritage.