Delhi CM Rekha Gupta inaugurated the 35th annual Mango Mahotsav 2026 at Dilli Haat in Janakpuri. He described mango as an emotional symbol associated with Indian culture and appealed to the people to come to this three-day long fair.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday inaugurated the three-day long 35th annual Mango Mahotsav 2026 at Dilli Haat in Janakpuri. This festival has been organized by the Tourism Department of Delhi. The Chief Minister said that mango is not only the ‘king of fruits’ but is also an emotional symbol associated with Indian culture. Cabinet ministers Kapil Mishra, Ashish Sood and Manjinder Singh Sirsa were also present on this occasion.
Mango: an emotional and cultural symbol
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the CM said that mango is not only the ‘king of fruits’ but also an emotional symbol associated with Indian culture, family traditions and countless childhood memories. He said that festivals like Mango Mahotsav serve as an important platform to connect the new generation with these lovely experiences and the rich cultural heritage of India.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister said that bringing different varieties of mangoes from across the country at one place and giving people an opportunity to taste them is a commendable initiative to promote the agricultural and cultural heritage of India. He appealed to the people of Delhi, especially children and families, to come and enjoy the festival in large numbers.
He further said that today the Indian mango is not just a fruit or a gift, but has become a symbol of India’s cultural identity. Due to its excellent quality and worldwide popularity, Indian mangoes have further strengthened the country’s image in the world. He said that ‘Mango Diplomacy’ has also given a new direction to India’s cultural and diplomatic relations across the world.
CM Rekha Gupta’s message on
CM Gupta wrote on X,
Mango season is actually the season of return to childhood. Every mango brings with it a piece of sunshine and an afternoon of childhood. Today, along with cabinet colleagues Mr. Ashish Sood ji, Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa ji and Mr. Kapil Mishra ji, he inaugurated the Mango Festival at INA Haat in Janakpuri. I urge all Delhiites to come to this festival with their families. Just as Delhi is the confluence of the whole of India, similarly the mangoes from all over the country gathered here at one place introduce us to the diversity and sweetness of India.
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Promotion of Delhi’s tourism
Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said that mango growing farmers from all over the country are taking part in this festival. Visitors will not only get a chance to taste a wide range of mangoes, but will also learn about mango cultivation, production technology and different varieties. He said the festival provides a unique opportunity for children and families to enjoy and learn about mangoes.
Mishra further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi is being transformed from a transit city to a major tourist destination. A religious tourism circuit is being developed to promote spiritual tourism. Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation has started double-decker bus services, while Delhi Darshan bus service has also been restarted. Post-monsoon, an international class cruise experience will also be launched in the Yamuna river for residents and tourists. These initiatives will give a new identity to Delhi tourism and provide new exciting attractions for tourists from India and abroad to visit.
Main attractions of Mango Festival and variety of mangoes
More than 400 varieties of mango have been displayed at the festival, including Husnaara, Rataul, Ramkela, Kesar, Mallika, Amrapali, Fazli, Hathi Jhool and many other famous varieties. Some mangoes are as small as grapes, while others are as big as papaya, which shows the extraordinary diversity of mangoes found in India.
Mango is a rich source of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body and provides many health benefits. Mango growers from different states of India are showcasing their best produce. Many of these varieties are the result of decades of careful selection, grafting and experimentation by traditional farming families.
rich common heritage of india
The festival also highlights the valuable contribution of agricultural scientists and horticultural institutions in the conservation and development of improved and new mango varieties. According to a release, the history of mango cultivation in the Indian subcontinent is believed to be around 4,000 years old. India is the largest producer of mangoes in the world, accounting for almost half of global production. Of the approximately 1,500 known varieties of mango worldwide, about 1,000 are found in India.
Major participants in Mango Festival
There is active participation of mango growers, agricultural universities, research institutes, government departments and farmer organizations in the festival. Major participants include ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (Pusa), ICAR-Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (Lucknow), Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (Pantnagar), Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (Hisar), Directorate of Horticulture (Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh), Bihar Agricultural University (Sabaur, Bhagalpur), Kisan Mango Society, Earth Mango Society, Malihabad Mango Farmer Producer Company Limited, Society for Conservation of Mango Diversity, Awadh Agritech (Malihabad), and prominent mango growers Tariq Mustafa, Rambir, Akhlaq Ali, Mohammad Shahid and Mohammad Junaid.
Contests and Family Attractions
People are enthusiastically participating in the popular attraction “Sau Hai Daam, Jitne Khao Aam”. Visitors can also buy fresh mangoes, processed mango products, mango-based foods and mango plants.
One of the biggest attractions of the festival is the mango eating competition held separately for men and women. Apart from this, the Mahotsav features cultural performances, exhibitions of handicrafts and artisan products, a dedicated kids zone, attractive selfie points and a variety of food stalls, making it a memorable and entertaining experience for the entire family. (ANI)