Mango mania is back in town: One aam for all, from UP’s Yogi to Delhi’s Kejriwal

More than 500 varieties of mangoes to be exhibited at the 29th edition of the Mango Festival in the Capital.

Mango lovers, you’re in for a treat.The Mango Festival returns with it’s 29th edition, beginning today. Organised since 1988, this fest celebrates the magnificence of king of fruits. But, not everything will be the same — you can expect to find something uncommon like a Yogi Mango, this year!

A mango eating competition in progress at one of the previous editions of Mango Festival.

“We have grown a new variety of mangoes in our farm and will soon have a meeting to suggest that it should be named Yogi Mango – inspired from Yogi Adityanath [Chief Minister of UP]. We name mangoes after those who have done something for the nation and deserve respect. In our eyes, our chief minister has done that,” says Tariq Mustafa, a mango grower from Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar – who plans to display more than 150 varieties of mangoes at the festival.

Around 500 varieties of mangoes are expected to be displayed at the mango festival this year.

And that’s not all. Alongside a mango mandi, there will be a quiz based on facts around mango, and a mango eating contest. “India has the longest mango season, which makes it even more important for us to celebrate this fruit. There will also be some chefs present at the venue, to demonstrate some mango recipes. But the value for money will be a stall that will allow the visitors to pay Rs 100 and eat as many mangoes as they want,” says Puja Joshi, general manager, Delhi Tourism.

And, of course, there will be mangoes in all sizes, from that of a grape to that of a papaya! “We will also display rare varieties such as Gula Mango – which smells like a flower and has juice that is thinner than water. Also, there will be Kejri Mango – which grows in huge numbers, and Rajiv Gandhi Mango – which was named so because it’s a very good-looking mango,” adds Mustafa.

A shot from last year’s Mango Festival which was held in the Capital.

Follow @htTweets for more