Surajkund, Faridabad Overview

With the blue hills of Aravalli in the background, Surajkund is an old reservoir located around 8 kilometers south of Delhi. The embankment is constructed in a semi-circular fashion and doubles up as a quaint picnic spot owing to its surroundings. This destination is surrounded by the ruins of an ancient sun temple, coupled with a beautiful garden and pool called the Siddha Kund. It was built by Suraj Pal of the Tomar dynasty around the 10th century. It is well known for hosting the Surajkund Mela which is an arts and crafts fair, every year. The Mela draws huge crowds every year and is extremely popular among seekers of art and kitschy crafts.

The amphitheatre shaped embankment is constructed in a semi-circular fashion and doubles up as a quaint picnic spot owing to its surroundings. Surajkund, with its surrounding lush greenery and crystal clear pool waters, is the perfect place to relax, away from the hullabaloo of the city. Initially built as a water reservoir, Surajkund is now a tranquil destination ideal to enjoy the bounty of nature.

This place is a dream come true for birdwatchers and photography enthusiasts, as several species of local flora and fauna can be spotted here on a regular basis. Lovers of adventure sports are in for a surprise as this destination also offers water sports such as kayaking. A bonus is the well-developed roadways and other means of transport that link the destination to both Delhi and Gurgaon in Haryana. Perhaps the most famous aspect of this tourist attraction is the annual fair by the name of the 'Surajkund International Craft Mela' that is held here every year. The fair takes place in February and is visited by millions of visitors, both national and international.

Surajkund Mela

Surajkund is well known all across the country for its Surajkund Mela, which takes place here from 1 to 15 February every year. This fair is a colourful traditional craft festival that first began in the year 1987, and has been continuing ever since. Artists, weavers, painters and sculptors from all parts of the country arrive to take part in this grand fair and display their creative designer items that are made up with wood, metal, bamboo, glass, textiles, stone and iron.

Each year, there is a unique theme on Indian culture and crafts that is allocated to the fair; and this theme, which is particular to a state of India, is depicted at the entrance itself. The festival also includes traditional authentic cuisines from different parts of India, as well as entertainment in the form of folk theatre, dance and music.

The Surajkund International Craft Mela attracts millions of local, national and international tourists to visit the fair and showcase their love and admiration for art and craft. In fact, the 2015 edition of the fair was visited by 1.2 million visitors, which included 1,60,000 foreigners, and more than 20 countries participating in the fair.

With its myriad colours, music, and dances, the cultural exhibition during this event is like none other. The Surajkund Mela is one of a kind as it is a platform that showcases the vast variety of handlooms and handicrafts from all over the country. An international sensation, Surajkund Mela is worth experiencing!

Read more about Suraj Kund Mela

Things To Do at Surajkund

This place is a dream come true for birdwatchers and photography enthusiasts, as several species of local flora and fauna can be spotted here on a regular basis. Lovers of adventure sports are in for a surprise as this destination also offers water sports such as kayaking. A bonus is the well-developed roadways and other means of transport that link the destination to both Delhi and Gurgaon in Haryana. Perhaps the most famous aspect of this tourist attraction is the annual fair by the name of the 'Surajkund International Craft Mela' that is held here every year. The fair takes place in February and is visited by millions of visitors, both national and international.
Few attractions such as the Surajkund hot spring, Anagpur Dam and the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary are also located close by, and it is a good idea to visit them in combination with Surajkund. The Sidhha Kund, which is a natural spring, is also located to the south of Surajkund and is frequently visited by pilgrims. Other activities such as Kayaking are also common at Surajkund.

History of Surajkund

It is widely believed that the Tomar Kings initially lived near the Aravalli hills, but later on constructed the Lal Kot near Surajkund and shifted there. On the basis of specific ruins, archaeological excavations have revealed that there existed a Sun Temple in the area. Historians also claim that King Surajpal, son of Anang Pal I, built the lake in 686 A.D. for his daughter, and it is probably after his name that the lake is called so.

Another theory about the name of the reservoir is that the kund or lake is named after the Sun Temple that existed on the eastern side of the lake. During the rule of Feroz Shah Tughlaq, who belonged to the Tughlaq Dynasty, the reservoir was renovated, and the steps and terraces were rebuilt with stones in lime mortar. A cave like structure was also built on the western side of the reservoir, close to the Sun Temple.

Structure of Surjakund

The reservoir of Surajkund is built in the shape of a rising sun and is enclosed within a steep semi-circular shaped embankment that is made of stepping stones. The reservoir is complete with an eastward arc and is spread over a total area of 99 acres. Rainfall was captured here to create a repository, which was a hunting forest resort in the past, and now proves to be a great spectacle. Even though the reservoir dries up in the scorching summer heat before the onset of the monsoon rains, it gets filled up during monsoons and abounds in dancing peacocks.

How To Reach Surajkund

Auto rickshaws and taxis from all parts of Delhi and Gurgaon are readily available and are convenient modes of attraction to take you to this attraction. Regular buses also ply between Delhi and Faridabad. The nearest metro station to Surajkund is the Badarpur Metro Station on the Violet Line, from where Surajkund is 14 kilometres away.