Does the succulent flavor of mango make you crave for more? Can’t you get enough of mangoes, then, the Mango Festival is a must visit for you. The International Mango Festival is a celebration of the king of fruits, the mango, and is usually held in India, particularly in Delhi. This festival typically takes place in the summer months, around June or July, when mangoes are in season.With a rich history dating back 5,000 years, mangoes hold a special place in Indian folklore. The name "mango" originates from the Malayan word "manna," and the fruit's seeds have travelled from Asia to various parts of the world, establishing a global presence.
The Mango Festival is celebrated throughout the country with much zeal and zest. The festival is held in July every year in the capital, at Dilli Haat, Pitampura and is hosted by the Delhi Tourism Board in collaboration with the Delhi Government.
In 1987, the National Horticulture Board of India introduced the concept of the International Mango Festival to pay tribute to the beloved mango. Over the years, this annual event has evolved into a highly anticipated celebration, drawing mango enthusiasts from all corners of the country.
The festival attracts thousands of mango lovers to the fest, like a pot of honey attracts the bees. The Mango Festival is celebrated throughout the nation without any discrimination, which spreads the hardcore notion of unity in diversity because of different species available under one roof.
The festival showcases more than 400 species of the fruit from different parts of the country.
Key Highlights of the International Mango Festival:
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Variety of Mangoes: The festival showcases hundreds of varieties of mangoes from different parts of India. Some popular varieties include Alphonso, Kesar, Dasheri, Langra, and Himsagar.
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Mango Tasting: Attendees have the opportunity to taste different types of mangoes, each with its own unique flavor, texture, and aroma.
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Competitions: The festival often features various competitions, such as the biggest mango contest, mango eating competitions, and even events like "Best Mango Grower."
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Cultural Programs: The festival is accompanied by cultural performances, including music, dance, and traditional folk art, making it a vibrant and lively event.
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Mango Products: Apart from fresh mangoes, the festival also features a wide range of mango-based products such as pickles, jams, chutneys, and juices.
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Workshops and Exhibitions: There are workshops on mango cultivation and exhibitions that provide insights into the different types of mangoes, their history, and their significance in Indian culture.
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Family-Friendly Event: The festival is a family-friendly event with activities for children and adults alike, including cooking demonstrations, crafts, and games.
The fest will display some exceptional varieties such as Sirki, Suwarn, Neeleshwari, Royal SP, Raddy Pasand, Himasagar, Kensington, Neelam, Banganpalli, besides popular Dushehari, Langra, Alphonso, Kesar, Papitiyo, Tommy Atkins, Sensation and Nazuk Badan. Mangoes such as Abdullah, Ramkela, Aishwarya, Bombay Green from Kaleemullah Khan’s nursery. And one of the rare species of the fruit Gula by Tariq Mustafa from Purkazi in Muzaffarnagar.
The highlights of the festival include Mango Quiz, Mango eating competition, sale of fresh mangoes and processed fruits like pickles, chutney, mango pulp, juice, jelly, aam papad, jam and aam panna.You can binge on the fruit for free, can buy a small mango tree or can also buy wide varieties of mango in the festival.
One of the main attractions of the festival is the Mango eating competition. The festival provides agro-industries and food processing industries the opportunity to display their products. The idea is to give exposure to the domestic mango industry and exporters.
The Mango Festival is also celebrated in different parts of the country during June - July. Some of them are Pinjore, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune to name a few.
There are over 1,365 species of Mangoes grown around the world and India alone cultivates over 1,000 varieties of the fruit.
For those who are calorie conscious should once forget about their calorie intake and just indulge themselves into the temptation of mouth-watering mangoes during the festival.
Happy Mango Licking!!
इस आर्टिकल को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहां क्लिक करें