DELHI,04,07.19-Delhi Tourism’s much-awaited Mango Festival celebrating the king of fruits is back this summer season. The three-day festival is being organized from 5^th to 7^th July 2019 at Dilli Haat, Janakpuri from 11:00 AM to 9:00 P.M. Delhiites can look forward to another fascinating display of more than 500 varieties of traditional and rare mangoes from across the country.

The festival will be inaugurated by Sh. Manish Sisodia, Honb’le Dy. Chief Minister & Minister of Tourism, Govt. of Delhi on 5^th July at 5:00 pm.

Delhi Tourism has been organizing this festival for the past 31 years, to celebrate the magnificent variety of flavours offered by the king of fruits. Indian Summers are incomplete without mangoes and the Mango Festival comes as a refreshing reminder of the love of Indian households for the fruit. An inseparable part of the Indian culture, from cuisines to ceremonies, it has always played an important role.

During the lean summer season which witnesses a decrease in activities in Delhi, the "Mango Festival" has become a prominent feature as many look forward to the event. The festival has shifted venues many times, from Talkatora Indoor Stadium, Ashoka Hotel, Pragati Maidan and then, in 2010, to Dilli Haat Pitampura, following now at Dilli Haat Janakpuri.

With the passage of time, the festival has become a major cultural event of Delhi, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Mango growers across the country including Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Uttar Pradesh will gather here to display traditional and hybrid varieties of Mangoes.

With over 500 varieties on display at the festival, this journey of mangoes from the orchards to Dilli Haat, Janakpuri, makes for a refreshing experience for the visitors. The various types of Mangoes on display will include Langra, Chausa, Rataul, Hussainara, Ramkela, Kesar, Fazri, Mallika, and Amrapali and other assorted varieties.

Eating mangoes proffers health benefits like lower cholesterol, skin rejuvenation, prevents heat stroke, and improves visions among many others. Discover all this and more at the Mango Festival 2018.

BACKGROUND OF MANGOS

Mangoes originated in South East Asia and India, where references to the fruit are documented in Hindu writings. It is referred to in Sanskrit literature as “Amra” and has been under cultivation by man for over 4000 years. This indigenous fruit occupied an important place in horticulture during the rule of the Mughal emperors in India. It has been observed that the great king Akbar during 1556-1605 planted an orchard of 100,000 mango trees at his royal vicinity known as Lakhi Bagh which still exists. The knowledge of vegetative preparation of mango gained in the 16^th century, which however made it possible to produce mango over a large scale with the help of many cultivators. Mango cultivation is found in many countries of Southeast Asia i.e. Philippines, Indonesia, Java, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

There are more than 1365 varieties of mangoes all over the world, and in India about 1000 varieties are available. The major mango-growing states are Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Uttar Pradesh ranks first in mango production with a share of 23.47 % and highest productivity. India is also a prominent exporter of fresh mangoes to the world. The country has exported 46510.27 MT of fresh mangoes to the world for the worth of Rs. 406.45 crores/ 60.26 USD Millions during the year 2018-19. Major Export Destinations in 2018-19 were United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Oman, Qatar and USA. Believed to be indigenous to the Indian Sub-Continent Mango is also considered to be as old as the land itself. To indulge in the experience offered, and a chance to witness Mangoes ranging from the size of a grape to that of papaya, the 31^st Mango Festival is the place to be at.

Besides providing an opportunity for visitors to savor the mangoes, the Mango Festival will also offer a package deal of fun and frolic for both children and family members.

Some major highlights of the Mango Festival are:-

Display of rare as well as commercially popular mangoes

Mango Eating Competition for Women (4:00- 5:00 pm,6^th July)

Mango eating Competition for Men (4:00- 5:00 pm, 7^th July)

Mango Quiz and Slogan Writing Competition for Children

Band Performances, Stand Up Comedy

Cultural Performances

Sale of Mango and Mango based products

Delhi Tourism organizes the Mango Festival each year, with an aim to provide exposure to the domestic Mango Industry by exploring the evergreen love for Mango harboured by every Indian household. The Festival also provides agro industries and food processing industries the opportunity to display their products.

Relish, at the celebration of King of Fruits at Dilli Haat, Janakpuri and indulge in the summer delight of Mangoes.

Free shuttle service available from Gate No 3. Tilak Nagar Metro Station to the venue and back.