Mango is the favourite fruit of most Indians and a beloved staple of the summer season. In many desi households, it’s not uncommon to find a bowl of mangoes proudly displayed like a showpiece.
Reflecting this deep-rooted love for the fruit, a special event is held yearly in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh-the Mango Festival-where dozens of mango varieties are showcased and celebrated.
However, this year, the festival attracted attention both online and offline for all the wrong reasons. What was meant to be a joyful celebration quickly turned chaotic, as crowds spiraled out of control, and people were seen “looting” mangoes and stuffing them into bags, clothes, and anything else they could get their hands on.
Every summer, mango fairs are organised across India to exhibit the country’s vast variety of mangoes. These festivals are not only about fruit-they’re also about celebrating regional pride, agricultural richness, and the nation’s deep affection for mangoes. But this time, the Lucknow festival, instead of being a serene celebration, turned into a frenzy as the crowd went “wild.”
A video of the chaos has since gone viral and is being widely shared across social media platforms. As per reports, the excited crowd lost control and began grabbing mangoes in a disorderly manner, completely disregarding the decorum of the event. The clip shows people hurriedly collecting mangoes in a rush, with no regard for rules or order.
The viral video has triggered mixed reactions online. While some users responded with humour, others criticised the public’s behaviour. One user sharply commented, “These are the same people who’d loot your vehicle and jewellery if you met with an accident instead of giving you first aid.” Another joked, “Haha, classic mango madness! When supply is limited, demand goes wild.”
A third remarked, “Next time, they’ll probably keep all the mangoes behind toughened glass showcases.” And in true internet style, one more user sarcastically quipped, “I’m surprised they didn’t steal the plates, tables, tablecloths, chairs, tents, and poles too!”