By IANS
New Delhi : Around 500 varieties of mangoes and delicacies made from them were on display as the king of fruits tempted visitors with varied colours and sizes at the 19th Delhi Mango Festival that began here Saturday.
The two-day festival, which opened with Delhi's Tourism and Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely writing a message on a giant mango model, has brought mango growers from across the country to display premium qualities of the fruit.
"Mangoes make people smile. India's mangoes are now going abroad too. This is really great for the country's growers," Lovely said.
The event has a mango tasting session too where judges will award the best varieties of mangoes from the Dussahri, Langra, Amrapalli, Mallika and Chausa categories. The three-judge panel will award the top two entries from each category.
The fest will also hold mango eating competitions, cultural programmes, quizzes for children and a magic show.
The event was a photographer's paradise as people clicked photos of sumptuous dishes displayed to resemble mousse, seafood, rolls, chicken, lamb and fish.
For the growers, such events are a shot in the arm as they travel from far and near to display their produce on a national platform.
"These events are really good for us. We grow export quality mangoes and festivals like this give us the exposure to display our products and also meet people," said Dori Lal, a farmer who hails from Lucknow.
India is the largest mango growing country of the world, producing more than half of the world's supply.
Around 30 stalls have been constructed around the venue at Talkatora Stadium – exhibiting and selling various products. But the stall-owners are apprehensive about the success of their business.
"Everyone comes for the festival and sees the mangoes. Though they visit our stalls, only a few of them buy the products we display," complained Y.C. Sharma, a stall owner. "Moreover it is monsoon now. If it rains, we'll run losses."