Woo hoo! It’s mela season in New Delhi!
“Mela” is a Sanskrit word meaning “gathering,” and it’s used to describe all kinds of get-togethers in India. One upcoming mela is the Kumbh Mela, held every twelve years. More than 60 million people gathered in January 2001, making it the largest gathering anywhere in the world, according to Wikipedia. I’m skipping that one for obvious reasons (although some of my friends are going). The melas I’m excited about are big markets of handicrafts, home decor, clothing, food and random tchochkes. I’ve even planned my parents’ visit to India around my favorite New Delhi mela in February.
Nearly everything produced in India stimulates at least one of the senses. Silky soft scarves, quirky colorful bags, organic oils and soaps, music for chillaxing, and all sorts of tantalizing treats. (Much of the time, India OVERstimulates our senses–particularly with sounds and smells–but the melas are much more pleasant than daily life. I’m digressing…)
This morning, I drove to the Dastkar Nature Bazaar (almost 10 kilometers, the farthest I’ve driven in Delhi so far, by the way) with my friend Nancy. We arrived just as the mela was opening, so we enjoyed a peaceful stroll through the booths. The Dastkar organization does good work in this country to support and promote Indian crafts.
I still haven’t bought a new camera, and whenever I took out my phone to take pictures, I set it down at a booth and nearly forgot to take it. So eventually I stopped shooting. Anyway, here’s what I got.
Pretty ceramics.
Dangly things in a doorway seem to be good luck here, so you see them everywhere. I love them.
These little magnets of Indian men and women cracked us up, but we had an even bigger laugh when we saw they were stuck on a Hannah Montana board.
Vendors enjoying a snack.
I spent a LOT of money at this booth. The dried fruit and other snacks are so delish! Does anyone need any Hing Goli?
This guy demonstrated how to decorate wooden spoon handles with lacquer designs. He stuck the dowel in a little lathe and spun it with a sort of bow while rubbing lacquer on the wood. Every time I watch someone make something, I feel compelled to buy it. Savvy craftsman!
Nancy and I shopped so much, we had to make a trip to the car halfway through our mela circuit to unload some of our bags. Speaking of the car, getting out of the parking lot was no small feat. Let’s just say a tree, a tuk-tuk and a man sorting garbage were all involved. It worked out though, and with Nancy as my trusty navigator, I actually got us home with no problems.
The next mela is next week! Again, woo hoo!