Suraj Kund International Crafts Mela 2015 - Sea of Colour

The only reason you never went to Suraj Kund Crafts Mela all these years was the fear of the crowds. But it is never too late to try to be a little brave. So on the last day's afternoon you finally find yourself in the 29th Suraj Kund International Crafts Mela 2015.

And boy you are floored. You have no idea what Haryana Tourism does the rest of the year, but here they have pulled out all the stops. The mela is organized on a grand scale in the ancient grounds where Delhi's Tomar Dynasty once ruled.

29th Suraj Kund International Crafts Mela 2015

The sheer spread of colour and the decoration blows you away. This year it was Chattisgarh's turn to showcase its fine arts, crafts and architecture.

Chattisgarh is the Theme State

The best part was the trees with their trunks and branches wrapped colourfully. Lamps and other decorations hung from the branches. All in all, great atmosphere.

Let the photos do the talking.

The Four Seasons were depicted

Beautiful Spring at Surajkund

 Suraj Kund Mela - Enjoy the Summers with Juicy Mangoes

Time for a Walk in the Rains

Santa Comes to Surajkund

The evening descends

The lamps suspended from the tree branches begin to glow

Jewels in the Sky

And then the ferris wheels start spinning leaving trails of lights in the darkening evening

Suraj Kund

From the present, it is time to step back into the past. Suraj Kund, the stepped tank after which the mela takes its name is one of the oldest extant structures in Delhi region. The Tomars built it in the 10th century during the reign of King Surajpal. The ancient channels have dried up due to massive mining of Aravalli Hills and today the sun-shaped masonry tank is dry.  

If only the concerned departments had shown some spine when the hills around were getting ravaged, the mela on the banks of Suraj Kund full of water would have been spectacular.

The Mela was truly beautiful and a revelation. You will be back next year.

References:

http://www.haryanatourism.gov.in/showpage.aspx?contentid=5153