Mela! An Indian Fair on the National Mall provides a culturally appropriate setting for a variety of Indian ritual, performance, craft, commercial, aesthetic and culinary traditions. Presenting the skills of more than 60 folk artists, craftspeople and cultural specialists from India and the Indian-American community in a temporary bazaar replete with Indian handicrafts and cuisine, this program offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience and participate in Indian culture.

A meta, or Indian fair, is a large gathering of people who temporarily come together at a culturally appropriate time and place. Melas usually occur at the ...