The Surajkund International Crafts Mela, held annually in Faridabad, Haryana, is the world’s largest crafts fair that celebrates the rich heritage of traditional arts and crafts while providing a platform for artisans from across the country and beyond.
Organized by the Surajkund Mela authority, Haryana Tourism, and important Union Ministers including Culture, Tourism, Textiles, and External Affairs, the 38th edition of Surajkund mela is a showcase of local talents and artisanal skill set. Through its meandering paths, more than 2,500 craftspeople from all over India and the world display their expertise in textiles, handicrafts, handlooms, and ethnic cooking, while rural women entrepreneurs exhibit how traditional crafts can lead to financial independence.
This large, vibrant cultural event, also known as the “Shilp Mahakumbh,” embodies the ideals of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,” with traditional music and dancing enlivening the ambiance.
Encouraging Rural Women Entrepreneurs
The Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society (SARAS) Aajeevika pavilion is a major highlight of the mela. It is devoted to self-help groups (SHGs), also known as “Lakhpati Didis,” which are women entrepreneurs from all over India who have surmounted socioeconomic obstacles to display their handcrafted goods, thereby fostering rural tourism.
Under the SARAS Aajeevika project, Haryana had five stalls this year, which was a new step in fostering local entrepreneurship and historical tourism. With the state government’s promotion of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and historical tourism programs, Surajkund Mela is now drawing a number of possibilities and fostering local livelihoods and entrepreneurship.
For the first time, artisans such as Geeta Devi and her son, who own an apiculture company in Fatehabad, have set up a booth to share their twelve years of experience in beekeeping and honey processing. Making incense sticks, dhoop, and herbal beauty products, Meena from Karnal’s Kavya Mahila SHG is taking part for the second time. “We make incense at home using natural essences, dried flowers, and cow dung. “It has been an empowering experience,” she remarked.
Home-based baker Suman from Unnat Mahila SHG in Panchkula has started making laddoos with millet. “We purchase ragi from farmers in Uttarakhand because Haryana does not cultivate millets. We get much-needed exposure and the opportunity to travel to Delhi thanks to fairs like this,” she remarked.
Women entrepreneurs and artisans from all over the nation are represented at the SARAS stalls. This is the sixth visit from Vimla Devi, who is selling her Madhubani scroll paintings. Other items that draw a lot of tourists include clay pots, kitchenware, terracotta crafts, toys, wall hangings, puppet décor, handlooms, textiles, herbal and forest produce, and so on. These things help to support local business owners, weavers, and artists.
A global cultural exchange
Surajkund Mela collaborates with a nation every year to strengthen cultural ties. By collaborating with the countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka—this year’s exhibition has advanced its cultural diplomacy. One of the main draws is the international pavilion, which features handicrafts and artwork from all over the world.
In addition to many more handlooms, paintings, and arts and crafts, visitors can view Syrian glass lamps, Tunisian olive wood handicrafts, Tanzanian musical instruments, Thai fabrics, Afghan dry fruits, and Nepalese Rudraksha beads. Additionally, nations like Madagascar, Malawi, Iran, and the Seychelles have showcased their distinctive crafts. This international involvement highlights India’s “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” philosophy, which holds that all people are members of one family.
The 38th edition of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2025 concluded on 23 February with a vibrant closing ceremony, presided over by Union Minister of Energy, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal.
‘MahaKumbh of Art & Craft’: Manohar Lal
Manohar Lal stated, “This event has not only given a new identity to Haryana and India on the world map but has also marked a new milestone in the field of cultural tourism.”
Describing the fair as the ‘MahaKumbh of Art and Craft’, he stated, “Surajkund mela is a unique platform that foster direct interaction between artisans and visitors while promoting India’s rich heritage and cultural diversity. The Mela has brought immense pride to Haryana and continues to grow in popularity every year due to its distinct identity. This is my 11th time attending, and each year, the participation of foreign countries rises, making it a chartbuster in its field”.
He praised the fair’s role in strengthening national unity and cultural integrity and stated, “Surajkund has become the world’s largest cultural confluence, reflecting the increasing love and respect for art and craft”.
The event also witnessed the presence of dignitaries like, Haryana Tourism Minister Dr Arvind Sharma, Revenue Minister Vipul Goyal, Food and Supplies Minister Rajesh Nagar and MLAs Dhanesh Adlakha and Satish Phagna.
As part of the closing ceremony, awards were presented to outstanding artisans across multiple categories.
The 38th edition witnessed the participation of over 1,600 artisans from India and abroad, drawing an impressive footfall of approximately 15 lakh visitors.
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