Three-day Mango Festival off to juicy start at Thyagaraj Stadium

The 34th Mango Festival brought together mango lovers, farmers and families under one roof at Thyagaraj Stadium here on Friday. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the three-day event, calling it a celebration of India’s mango heritage, agricultural prosperity and cultural pride.

In her address, the Chief Minister said: “In India, mango is not just a fruit, it is an emotional experience. It reminds us of our villages, our traditions and the warmth of summer memories.”

She praised the Delhi Tourism Department for preserving and promoting this heritage through the festival, which has been organised annually since 1988.

Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, MLA Neeraj Basoya and Chief Secretary Dharmendra were also present on the occasion. The Chief Minister also unveiled the official mascot of the 34th Mango Festival.

Paying tribute to farmers, Gupta remarked that the festival is dedicated to their year-round hard work.

“This festival is not only a celebration of their dedication, but also a unique occasion for the people of Delhi to relish the flavours, culture and joy associated with mangoes,” she said, adding that the Delhi Government aims to blend tradition with modernity to boost tourism and local trade.

Cabinet Minister Mishra described the festival as “a tribute to our culture, hard work of our farmers and our rich traditions.” He urged Delhiites to participate wholeheartedly and experience the sweetness that connects them to India’s soil and farming community.

The festival is showcasing more than 400 varieties of mangoes, including popular ones like Langda, Chausa, Ratol, Husainara, Ramkela, Kesar, Fajri, Mallika and Amrapali. Mango producers, cooperatives and private growers from states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Punjab and Odisha are participating in the event.

Visitors can buy mango-based products like pickles, chutneys, juices and papads. Exhibitions on horticulture, research and local agricultural innovations add an educational touch for enthusiasts.

A special highlight is the range of family-friendly activities, including quiz contests, slogan writing, and a dedicated kids’ zone. The festival also offers mango-eating competitions for men and women, cultural performances, selfie zones, virtual gallery and a special virtual address by the Prime Minister.

With stalls selling handicrafts, handlooms and saplings, the festival aims to support local artisans and farmers alike.

As the Capital braces for summer’s peak, Delhi’s beloved Mango Festival promises three days of sweetness, culture, and community spirit — true to the legacy of the ‘King of Fruits’.