By — Dilip Guha

Delhi’s annual celebration of the “King of Fruits” got underway in spectacular fashion as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the 35th Mango Festival at Dilli Haat, Janakpuri, drawing fruit lovers, growers, horticulture experts and families from across the National Capital.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, Education Minister Ashish Sood, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Delhi Tourism Managing Director Sunil Anchipaka, and several distinguished guests.

Organised by Delhi Tourism since 1987, the festival has grown into one of the capital’s most anticipated seasonal events, bringing together traditional growers, researchers and exporters on a common platform while celebrating India’s extraordinary mango heritage.

Visitors are being treated to a dazzling display of rare and premium mango varieties, including Husnara, Ratol, Ramkela, Kesar, Mallika, Amrapali, Fazli, Hathi Jhool and many more. From tiny grape-sized mangoes to giant varieties nearly the size of papayas, the exhibition offers a visual feast alongside its irresistible flavours.

Beyond the fruit itself, the festival serves a larger purpose—supporting small and large mango growers, encouraging the cultivation of diverse varieties, and promoting value-added mango products. Fresh mangoes, processed delicacies and mango saplings are all available for purchase, making the event as much a marketplace as a celebration.

Adding a touch of history, organisers highlighted the mango’s deep cultural roots. Known scientifically as Mangifera indica, the fruit is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent. Ancient Ayurvedic literature praises its medicinal properties, while literary giants such as Kalidasa and Amir Khusrau immortalised the mango in their works. History also records that Mughal Emperor Akbar planted nearly one lakh mango trees in Bihar’s famed Lakhi Bagh orchard.

This year’s festival features participation from leading agricultural and horticultural institutions, including ICAR-IARI, Pusa; ICAR-CISH, Lucknow; G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology; Bihar Agricultural University; Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar; and the Directorate of Horticulture, Uttar Pradesh. Renowned nurseries and organisations working on biodiversity conservation are also showcasing their expertise.

Mango growers from Uttar Pradesh and other producing regions—including Malihabad, Saharanpur and Biswan—have brought their finest produce, giving visitors an opportunity to explore dozens of varieties under one roof.

One of the festival’s biggest crowd-pullers, the Men’s Mango Eating Competition, is scheduled for Sunday and is expected to attract enthusiastic participants and spectators alike.

The festival will remain open until 9:00 PM on July 5, with Delhi Tourism providing a free shuttle service between Tilak Nagar Metro Station and Dilli Haat, Janakpuri, ensuring easy access for visitors eager to savour the season’s sweetest celebration.