WEEKEND GETAWAYS
Introduction
For the people who are residing in Delhi or NCR Region there are very large options to visit places as weekend getaways. But if you are a budget traveler then places within Delhi or in NCR region are best option.
In the month of February the best option will be Faridabad. Because Faridabad hosts Surajkund Fair every year, at Surajkund, District Faridabad.
Generally From: 1st Feb to 16th February, 10:30 A.M. to 8:30 P.M.
Faridabad is a border town of New Delhi. And is very nearest to South Delhi. From central Delhi its distance is 30 km. And as you enter Faridabad from Tughlakabad side it is just few kms. Nearest spot from which we can enter from Delhi are all from Tughlakabad side. One can easily find it from Google map.
Advice:- If you are coming to Faridabad for Surajkand Fair the best time will be form Monday to Friday. As on Saturday and Sunday there will be huge rush. But if anyway you are planning on Saturday or Sunday then you should reach as Venue before 11:00 A.M.. Then you may not face traffic Jam and leave before 4:30 P.M..
Details:-
The curtains go up on the acclaimed annual Surajkund International Crafts Mela from 1st February onwards, a celebration of Indian folk traditions and cultural heritage.
Occupying a place of pride on the international tourist calendar, more than a million visitors throng the Mela during the fortnight including thousands of foreign tourists. The Surajkund Mela is unique as it showcases the richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms and cultural fabric of India, & is the largest crafts fair in the world.
The Mela is organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs. For the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, there will be one state that will be chosen as Theme State. At least 20 countries & all the states of India participate in the Mela.
A large number of renowned national and international folk artistes and cultural groups present day performances at both the Chaupals, the open-air theatres, located in the Mela premises. Also enthralling cultural evening programmes are held at the main Chaupal during each of the Mela evening. The Mela is indeed a custodian of the heritage crafts involving use of traditional skills that are fading away due to cheap machine made imitations, and a special section is earmarked for showcasing of these heritage crafts.
The multi-cuisine Food Court provides ethnic cuisines from all over the world, which are immensely popular with visitors. There are designated places for amusement, adventure sports and joy rides to make it a must visit event for the young.
In 2013, the fair was upgraded to an international level.
The Mela celebrates the unique diversity of Indian traditions and culture in a ambience, created to represent the ethos of rural India. Surajkund International Crafts Mela showcases some of the most exquisite handlooms and handicrafts of India. Handmade fabrics soaked in ethnic colours make an eye catching display for the visitors.
The multi-cuisine Food Courts provides ethnic cuisines from all over the world, which are immensely popular with visitors. The scintillating folk performances at the two ‘Chaupals’ and mesmerizing evening recitals at ‘Natyashala’ rev up the entertainment quotient. There are designated places for amusement, adventure sports and joy rides to make it a must visit event for the young.
Purpose of mela is to organise, manage and run the Surajkund International Craft Mela at Surajkund Faridabad with a view to promote handicrafts, handlooms with the aid of craftsmen invited from all over the country. And to identify languishing and lesser known crafts and to introduce them to patrons. And to display crafts and loom techniques by organising demonstration sections in the Mela grounds. And to undertake the promotion of export of handlooms and handicrafts. And 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.
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 1010 work huts 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, cane and grass products.
Surajkund International Crafts Mela showcases its unique culture and rich heritage through various art forms and handicrafts from the state. Hundreds of artistes performe different folk arts and dances. From traditional dances art forms to excuisite crafts, there is a bouquet of heritage and culture enthrall the audience.
Some Highlights of SurajKund Mela
· Special amusement zone with swings and rides are created for wholesome family entertainment.
· A number of competitions are organised for school students.
· Exporters and Buyers Meet is organised during the Mela fortnight that offers a ready support system for crafts persons 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 remains 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.
· Improved facilities for the differently-abled persons.
· A complete ban is imposed on the plastic/polythene bags within the Mela premises.
HOW TO REACH ?
· Buses are available from ISBT, Shivaji Stadium, Gurgaon,Faridabad and Surajkund.
· Tourist cabs/ tourist coaches to the venue can be conveniently hired from Delhi.
By Bus
By Air
The nearest airport is at Delhi. Surajkund is a 35 minute drive from the Indira Gandhi International airport and 25 kms. from Palam airport.
By Rail
Delhi is the nearest railway junction. Faridabad and Gurgaon are both linked to Delhi via railway lines. From each of these stations, one can travel to Surajkund by car/cab or tourist coach.
By Road
Surajkund is well-connected to Delhi, Gurgaon and Faridabad by metalled road approachable by one's own or hired conveyance.
Nearby Hotels are:-
1. Hotel Rajhans
2. Sarovar Portico
3. Vivanta By Taj
4. Gold Finch
In this post we had focused on Surajkund Fair. Further we will Post on other tourist attractions of Faridabad and Near by tourist attractions of Delhi.
