Surajkund Mela goes cashless this year

The 31st edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela, which kickstarts from February 1, has a lot in store for you, right from cultural performances to handicrafts to handlooms.

If you want to celebrate and soak in the heritage Indian crafts, head to the 31st edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela that starts from February 1, 2017. The carnival, which will be held over 15 days, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar.

Actor Dharmenda inaugurated the 30th edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Faridabad last year. (Subhash Sharma/HT Photo)

This year, thanks to demonestisation, the emphasis is on going cashless. V S Kundu, vice chairman of Surajkund Mela Authority, says, “To ensure 100% cashless mode of transactions, Dena Bank, the official banker has been asked to provide 100 point-of-sale machines, a dedicated bank branch with two ATMs and 6 mobile ATM vans.
E-wallet app Mobikwik has also been roped in as a cashless wallet partner.”

Hosted for the first time in 1987, the fair is jointly organised by Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture, External Affairs and Government of Haryana. “Besides attracting over a million visitors each year, the fair has helped in reviving Indian craft,” says Kundu.

Jharkhand is the ‘Theme State’ this year, which means that the unique culture of the state, its rich heritage and cuisines will be a highlight this year. The venue has been decorated by the state’s craftsmen with commemorative structures and state symbols. Also, the partnering nation this year is Egypt. Besides Egypt, more than 20 countries from Europe, Africa and South Asia are participating, and Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Tunisia, Mongolia and South Africa are first timers.

Highlights this year

How to reach Surajkund?

During the mela fortnight, special to and fro bus services are available to Surajkund from ISBT Delhi, Shivaji Stadium, Gurgaon and Faridabad.

Special mela express buses will offer connectivity from the far flung areas of Haryana to Surajkund. A bus service from Ballabgarh to Tughlakabad metro station via Surajkund and Tughlakabad metro station to Ballabgarh via Surajkund, Badarpur metro station to Surajkund and back is made available on a 30 mts interval.

CATCH IT LIVE

WHAT: 31st Surajkund Crafts Mela

WHERE: Surajkund Mela Ground, Faridabad

WHEN: Feb 1 to Feb 15

TIMINGS: 10.30 am to 8.30 pm

NEAREST METRO STATION: Badarpur on Violet line