Surajkund (Haryana), Feb 1 (IANS) The 29th edition of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela (fair) began Sunday at Surajkund in Haryana's Faridabad district, adjoining New Delhi.
The Mela will be held till Feb 15.
Known for showcasing richness and diversity of handicrafts, handlooms and the cultural heritage of the country, the fair has Lebanon as the partner country and Chhattisgarh as the theme state this time.
The fair was inaugurated Sunday by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in the presence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh.
Theme state Chhattisgarh will showcase its tribal heritage and culture, which is still found well-preserved in the forests of Bastar region.
This year, 18 countries are part of the Mela, which include, besides Lebanon, SAARC nations Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, Eurasian nations Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russian Federation, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Tajikistan. Other participating countries include Kuwait, Qatar, Thailand, Uganda and Syria.
The Mela is jointly hosted by Haryana Tourism Corporation and Surajkund Mela Authority, in collaboration with the union ministries of tourism, textiles, culture and external affairs.
The popular Mela witnessed over a million visitors in the last two editions, including thousands of foreigners.
Surajkund derives its name from the ancient amphitheatre Sun Pool constructed here in the 10th century AD by Raja SurajPal, one of the Tomar chieftains. The place is located in the Aravalli mountain range.
Addressing an event on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Vigilance Awareness Week
India will decide on the purchase of crude oil from Russia only based on its interests. This simp
Chandrayaan-3: Spacecraft attached to rocket for launch, to be launched between July 13 and 19
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Wednesday attached the encapsulated assembly con
Sushmita Sen has been in the headlines for the past few days due to her affair with Lalit Modi. W
Railways are making all arrangements for the convenience of the passengers going home on Holi. So
Bappi Lahiri Passed Away: Bad news is coming out from the music world once again. After India's S
The forgotten Mahatma (Comment: Special to IANS)
We remember Mahatma Gandhi only on October 2 and January 30. The symbolic spinning of the charkh
The central government passed the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The governme
Britain's first Indian-origin Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has completed four months. Political ana
Chinese brand worry of boycott
While last week's protests at China's mobile phone manufacturer Oppo's plant in Greater Noida, th
