Dilip Guha ★ New Delhi : The Mango Festival in Delhi, affectionately dubbed the celebration of the “King of Fruits,” is an annual summer delight that captivates mango lovers from across the city.
This year’s much-anticipated eleventh edition of the Bengal Mango Mela and Handicrafts-Handloom Expo, organized by the Government of West Bengal, began on June 24th and will run until July 8th at the courtyard of Handloom Haat on Janpath, New Delhi. The event not only brings Bengal’s treasured mangoes to the capital but also showcases the state’s rich cultural and artisanal legacy.
The inauguration on June 24th was graced by Smt. Ujjaini Datta, Resident Commissioner of the Government of West Bengal, and dignitaries including Shri Bikash Saha, Additional Secretary of the Department of Food Processing Industries & Horticulture, and Shri Ujjal Saha, President of the Malda Mango Merchant Association, among others. The initiative is a collaborative effort backed by a host of government departments of West Bengal such as Food Processing Industries and Horticulture; MSME & Textiles; Agricultural Marketing; Tourism; Animal Resources Development; and also Rural Development, Self Help Groups, Sundarban Affairs, Tribal Development, and Information & Cultural Affairs.
This festival has brought together a huge quantity of around 44000 Kgs of diverse range of delicious and premium Bengal mangoes to the delight of mango aficionados, —such as Laxman Bhog, Amrapali, Langra, Golapkhash, Totapuri, Kishanbhog, Misrikant, Asudagi, Mallika, Kohitur, Brindabani, Ashina, Arajanua, Gopal Bhog, Mirzapasand, Rakhalbhog etc… —have arrived from six districts across West Bengal: Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, and Bankura.
Eight stalls set up by farmers from six districts of West Bengal display a bounty of mangoes—ranging from popular varieties to rare finds like Golapjamun and Champa. A special highlight of the fair is the famed GI-tagged mangoes from Malda—Laxmanbhog, Khirsapati (Himsagar), and Fazli—celebrated for their superior taste and quality. While Malda and Murshidabad remain Bengal’s mango strongholds with over 150 and 100 varieties respectively, other districts like Purulia, Bankura, and Birbhum are being actively supported by the state to scale up quality mango production through free seeds, saplings, fertilisers, and horticultural training.
In this context, Ujjal Saha, President of the Malda Mango Merchant Association, stated that mangoes from Malda and various other districts of the state had been showcased and made available for purchase at the Mango Fair in Delhi. The exhibition showcased the superior quality of mangoes from Malda and neighboring regions, resulting in a significant surge in demand. This, in turn, greatly benefited the mango farmers of the district.
According to Ujjal Saha, Malda’s mangoes alone met Delhi’s sweet demand with 19 metric tons supplied to the Mela. The event has not only bolstered the market for Bengal mangoes but also stimulated international demand and recognition. Efforts are ongoing to secure GI tags for more mango varieties, further strengthening their commercial appeal.
Ujjal Saha stated, “We want this festival to serve not only as a celebration of taste but also as an educational experience. By showcasing the diversity and cultural value of mangoes, we hope to inspire both consumers and cultivators to appreciate and preserve our mango legacy.”
He said, The Horticulture Department plays a key role in this ecosystem, offering free seeds and plants for saplings, technical support, overseas planting equipment, pest management advice, and harvest-to-market guidance—ensuring quality produce and greater profitability for mango growers.
The Mela offers visitors a unique opportunity to not only sample and purchase these varieties but also explore how mangoes are being processed by agro and food industries into jams, pickles, juices, and preserves. The Mango Festival in Delhi promises to be more than just a marketplace—it will serve as a vibrant celebration of tradition and biodiversity. A large turnout is anticipated, with visitors getting a rare opportunity to explore a wide array of mango varieties, including several uncommon types that are typically not available in the Delhi market, according to the organisers.
Beyond mangoes, the Mela is a carnival of culture. Artisans and cooperatives are showcasing GI-tagged treasures such as Bankura Terracotta, Bengal Dokra, Patachitra, Purulia Chhau Masks, Shantiniketan Leather Goods, and handwoven sarees like Shantipuri, Baluchari, and Dhaniakhali. The culinary delights are equally enticing—from mango-based Bengali cuisine to pickles, preserves, savouries, and organic products by Sundarini Naturals. Visitors can also taste teas from Bengal’s hill estates and regional delicacies like Gobindobhog and Tulaipanji rice, Rasogolla, and Darjeeling tea.
New attractions introduced this year include a selfie corner, photo booths, a dedicated “Mom and Kid’s Room,” and a roving tableau that will carry the Mango Mela banner across Delhi.
Sunday evenings are marked by cultural programs to be presented by the Department of Information & Cultural Affairs. On June 29th, audiences will enjoy performances by Delhi-based groups including Natua (acrobatic tribal dance), Antarik (vocal performance by specially-abled children), and Le Rhythm (dance recital). On July 6th, Delhi’s group Icchebitan, a vocal recital will be performed by children, followed by a renowned folk band, Dohar, known for their soulful renditions of Bengal’s traditional music, will take the stage.
The festival has been made possible by the Office of the Resident Commissioner, Government of West Bengal, with support from the Development Commissioner (Handloom), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India which is the controlling authority of Handloom Haat, has extended assistance for organizing this exposition.
According to the organisers, the Mango Festival is more than just a trade event—it is a spirited celebration of taste, tradition, and community, bringing together growers, artisans, and cultural performers on one vibrant platform.
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