Dilip Guha, New Delhi : The 35th Mango Festival organised by Delhi Tourism concluded at Dilli Haat, Janakpuri, after three days of cultural programs, competitions, and a showcase of nearly 400 varieties of mangoes that drew thousands of visitors.
The festival was inaugurated on Day One by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs Rekha Gupta. Hon’ble Tourism Minister Shri Kapil Mishra, Education Minister Shri Ashish Sood, and Environment Minister Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa were also present, along with Shri Sunil Anchipaka, Managing Director, Delhi Tourism.
Mangoes of Every Shape and Size
True to its legacy since 1987, the mela turned into a one-roof marketplace for growers and buyers. Rare and premium varieties, including Husnara, Ratol, Ramkela, Kesar, Mallika, Amrapali, Fazli, Hathi Jhool and Litchi mango, were on display. The exhibit ranged from grape-sized mangoes to papaya-sized ones, drawing curiosity from families and food enthusiasts.
Alongside fresh fruit, visitors purchased mango-based products such as pickles, jams, jellies, mango panna, papad, and mango saplings. Participating institutions included ICAR-IARI Pusa, ICAR-CISH Lucknow, G.B. Pant University Pantnagar, Directorate of Horticulture UP, CCS HAU Hisar, Bihar Agricultural University Sabour, and nurseries such as Purani Nursery Nizamuddin and Kadam Chandan Nursery. Growers from Ambarpur, Biswan, Khairpur, Saharanpur and Malihabad also set up stalls.
Competitions and Crowd Pullers
The most talked-about events were the Mango Eating Competitions.
In the Men’s competition held on Day 2, participants had 3 minutes to eat up to 3 kg of mango pulp. The contest drew loud cheers and packed the central arena.
On the final day, 20 women competed in the same format. Kavita Chaudhary won first place with 1.310 kg, followed by Ms Beena with 1.300 kg. The third-place finisher consumed 1.139 kg. Winners were felicitated during the closing ceremony.
Other attractions included a Mango Slogan Competition, Mango Quiz, cultural performances throughout the day, amusement rides, and stalls for handloom and handicrafts. Food courts serving mango delicacies remained a major crowd-puller for all age groups.
Tech and Talent at the Mela
A key highlight this year was Radhika, an AI-powered Visual Agent deployed at the venue. Unlike traditional chatbots, Radhika interacted with visitors through natural voice, answering queries about varieties, stalls, and events in real time.
The festival also served as a registration point for the Delhi Talent Hunt Scheme – 2026, a Delhi Government initiative with the Department of Art, Culture & Languages and Delhi Tourism to identify talent for national and international platforms.
A Cultural and Agricultural Showcase
Officials said the festival’s objective remains to provide a common platform for small and large growers and exporters, promote diverse cultivation, and support value-added mango products.
“The dedicated efforts of Delhi Tourism have once again made the Mango Festival a grand success,” an organiser noted during the closing. “Mangoes hold a special place in India’s culture and heritage, and this platform helps farmers adopt modern techniques while strengthening export potential.”
With the prize distribution and closing ceremony today, the three-day _Mango Mania_ at Dilli Haat Janakpuri wrapped up, leaving visitors with sticky fingers, full shopping bags, and a reminder of why the “King of Fruits” continues to rule Indian summers.
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