The Surajkund Mela, also known as the International Crafts Fair, is held in which state?

The Surajkund International Crafts Mela is held every year in February at Surajkund in Faridabad district, Haryana, close to the southern edge of Delhi. It usually runs for about two weeks, from early to mid-February.

The fair was first organised in 1987 by Haryana Tourism, with support from the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs. Its main purpose is to showcase the handlooms, handicrafts and folk traditions of India, and to give craftspeople a direct market without middlemen.

Key features of the fair:

Every year, one Indian state is chosen as the "Theme State", and its crafts, food and culture are highlighted.

A foreign country (or more than one) is chosen as a "Partner Nation", which is why the fair is called "international". Artisans from many countries take part.

Folk dancers, musicians, magicians and acrobats perform on open-air stages, and visitors can try regional cuisines.

The fair is set in a rural-style complex designed to look like a traditional Indian village.

The name comes from the Surajkund, an ancient reservoir built in the 10th century by the Tomar king Surajpal, who was a sun worshipper. The reservoir is shaped like an amphitheatre with stone steps and is one of the oldest surviving such structures near Delhi.

Haryana's other important fairs include the Gita Jayanti festival at Kurukshetra and the Pinjore Heritage Festival.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Rajasthan is known for the Pushkar fair and the Desert Festival at Jaisalmer.
• ✗Delhi hosts the India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan.
• ✗Uttar Pradesh is known for the Kumbh and the Taj Mahotsav at Agra.