Surajkund Crafts Mela is a much-awaited event in Delhi-Haryana’s annual cultural calendar. A 15-day fair that brings together artisans from different parts of the country as well as from other participating nations across the world, the Surajkund Crafts Mela is truly a melting pot. Every year, one Indian state is highlighted….and you are spoilt for choice….
For me, it is the lure of the crafts on sale, the lovely fabrics from every region of the country, the huge variety of indigenous home décor items that gets me all so very excited. One look at the Mela and that India is rich and diverse is re-emphasized. Add to it the well-curated folk music, dance and open air theatre, and you have in your hands the recipe of a rich day, well spent in the arms of India’s rich diversity….
For the first timers, Surajkund Crafts Mela can overwhelm you. Greatly. For it is huge. Here are a few dos and don’t’s just so that you can sail through the Fair smoothly and enjoy to the fullest the richness that it has to offer.
Dos and Don’ts at the Surajkund Crafts Mela:
How to avoid the rush at Surajkund Mela? Try to go over the weekdays as the rush is manageable. Weekends can get bad. Plus, the first half of the day sees relatively thinner crowd. This starts building up from afternoon onwards. There’s ample parking arrangements adjacent the Fair venue, but expect long waiting during rush hours.
How long does it take for a complete tour of the Surajkund Mela? Can take the whole day depending on your energy and curiosity levels. Plan accordingly.
Tickets of Surajkund Mela: Daily tickets are available online at BookMyShow. Suggest you buy online and simply walk through the security checks instead of having to queue up at the Mela counters. Depending on the day, or the time of the day, you might end up spending unnecessary time getting tickets.
Kids need tickets? Yes. Unless they are in a group from the school, in which case, they issue discounted tickets upon verifying the id cards. When with family, there is no discount on tickets for kids.
Should you bargain/negotiate at Surajkund Mela? Yes. Although every stall keeps a token discount of 10%, you know they have jacked up the rates. Negotiate. It may help, it may not. But if you feel that the rates are too obscene, don’t buy.
How to get a good bargain at Surajkund Mela? The Surajkund Mela timings are from 9.30 am to 7pm. If you want a good bargain, reach the Mela grounds as early as you can. That’s when they start the day’s books (bohni) and can give good discounts in order to start the day on a good note. Another very good day for good discounts is the last day of the Fair. The artisans are keen to sell everything for they have travelled from different parts of the country. The last day, therefore, can get you some enviable rates.But then, you might not have a wide variety of choice by the last day.
Cash or Credit Cards or Paytm? Cash only. The artisans come from various parts of the country and most of them do not have the wherewithals of online or mobile payment. They do business only in cash. Hence, carry cash.
Do you get snacks/food at Surajkund Mela? Oh yes! Absolutely no worries on that front. From Delhi’s famous chaats to Indianised pizzas, you get it all out here. No dearth of desserts, ice-creams and golas too, no matter how cold the weather!