(Festival Timings: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
The much-awaited 34th Mango Festival, organized by Delhi Tourism in collaboration with the Government of Delhi, was inaugurated today at Thyagaraj Stadium by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta. The event was graced by Hon’ble Sh. Kapil Mishra, Tourism Minister, Sh. Dharmendra, Chief Secretary, Sh. Neeraj Basoya, Hon’ble MLA, Ms. Niharika Rai, Managing Director, Delhi Tourism; and several other distinguished guests.
On the occasion of the inauguration, Hon’ble Chief Minister Rekha Gupta fondly recalled her childhood memories associated with mangoes. She lauded the efforts of the Tourism Department and Delhi Tourism for organizing the event and extended an open invitation to all Delhiites to visit Thyagaraj Stadium and enjoy the Mango Festival. She also appreciated the Ministry of Tourism for consistently hosting a series of cultural programs. Additionally, she unveiled the official mascot of the Mango Festival.
Held annually since 1987, the Mango Festival has become a signature celebration of the king of fruits. This year, visitors can witness an impressive display of over 400 mango varieties, including rare and exquisite ones such as Husnara, Rataul, Ramkela, Kesar, Mallika, Amrapali, Litchi, Fazli, and Haathijhool—with mangoes ranging from the size of a grape to that of a papaya.
The festival serves as a platform for mango growers and exporters—big and small—to come together, showcase their produce, and promote mango-based products. The initiative also encourages cultivation of diverse mango varieties and supports agricultural innovation.
India, home to around 1000 of the 1500 mango varieties found globally, accounts for 40–64% of the world’s mango production, with Uttar Pradesh alone contributing over 25.76%. Mangoes are widely grown across states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Assam.
With historical mentions in ancient texts like the Charak Sahita, mangoes are praised for their medicinal benefits, helping treat ailments such as dysentery, diarrhea, and vitamin A deficiency. From Amir Khusro’s poetry to Kalidas’ romantic descriptions in Abhigyan Shakuntalam, mangoes have held a cherished place in Indian literature, culture, and tradition. They also feature prominently in religious rituals, traditional clothing, medicine, and cuisine.
Today, mangoes are a key agricultural export, especially to the Gulf countries and Europe, contributing significantly to India’s foreign exchange earnings.
This year’s festival has participation from various reputed institutions and mango producers, including:
● ICAR-IARI Pusa
● ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow
● GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
● Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour (Bhagalpur)
● Directorate of Horticulture, Saharanpur (UP)
● Kisan Mango Society,
● Earth Mango Society,
● Malihabad Mango Farmer Producer Company Ltd.
● Society for Conservation of Mango Diversity,
● Renowned mango growers like Tariq Mustafa, Rambir, Akhlaq Ali, Mohd. Shahid, and Mohd. Junaid.
Festival Highlights:
● Exhibition of 400+ mango varieties
● Mango-eating competitions for both men and women
● Sale of fresh mangoes and mango products
● Daily cultural performances
● Kids’ zone, quiz programs, and selfie points
A special Mango Eating Competition for men will be held tomorrow as one of the main attractions.
The festival continues until June 29, 2025, from 11 AM to 9 PM daily. Delhi Tourism is also offering a free shuttle service between INA Metro Station and the festival venue to facilitate easy access.
We invite everyone to immerse themselves in the delightful flavors and vibrant culture of the 34th Mango Festival and create sweet, lasting memories.
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