Three-Day National Mango Festival Begins at Agricultural University

Over 200 Mango Varieties and Mango-Based Dishes Attract Huge Crowds

Raipur : The three-day National Mango Festival was inaugurated today at Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, jointly organized by the university, the Directorate of Horticulture and Field Forestry, Government of Chhattisgarh, and Prakriti Ki Aur Society. The festival will continue till Sunday, 8 June 2025.

The event showcases over 200 varieties of mangoes and 56 mango-based culinary items. More than 450 farmers from Chhattisgarh and other states are participating, presenting over 1,200 mango varieties. Alongside, various mango-based products are also on display and for sale, including mango fruits, saplings, and processed items.

Dr. Girish Chandel, Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, visited the mango exhibition with senior officials from the university and the state horticulture department to review the arrangements.

Numerous competitions are being held as part of the festival. These include contests for different mango varieties and mango-based recipes. There’s also a mango decoration competition open to school and college students, women, and the general public. Entry and registration for all events are completely free. Both individuals and institutions are encouraged to participate.

From 6 to 8 June, several competitive categories will be held:

• Commercial Varieties: Dashehari, Langra, Bombay Green, Chausa, Malda, Himsagar, Sundarja, Kesar, Alphonso, Totapuri, Neelam, Banganapalli, Pairi, Sindoori, Fazli
• Hybrid Varieties: Mallika, Amrapali, Pusa Arunima, Ambika, Ratna, Sindhu, Arka Puneet
• Special Varieties: Hathijhul, Noorjahan, Laddu, Gulab Khaas
• Exotic (Imported) Varieties: Miyazaki, Tommy Atkins, Golden Nuggets

A separate mango product competition will be held, featuring items like nectars/RTS drinks, syrups, panna, pickles, chutneys, mango papad, aamras, jams, and sweets.

In addition, there will be contests for mango-based models, bonsai, and mango-themed decorations. As a unique initiative by Prakriti Ki Aur Society, individuals bringing five mango seeds will be given a sapling of an improved mango variety. The exhibition will remain open till 9 PM on all three days. A food court offering a range of delicious dishes has also been set up at the venue.

On 7 June, a technical session and discussion on “Mango Cultivation – Issues and Solutions” will be held from 12 PM to 4 PM, providing guidance on cultivating high-quality mangoes, mango processing and marketing, and details on government schemes supporting mango farming. The goal is to encourage the younger generation to take up mango cultivation as a sustainable and health-promoting profession.

On 8 June, from 12 PM to 4 PM, success stories of mango farmers and entrepreneurs will be shared by the achievers themselves.

The festival will conclude with a prize distribution and felicitation ceremony, recognizing the contributions of all participants. The overarching goal of the event is to promote India’s national fruit – the mango – by showcasing its diversity, products, and the potential for income generation, especially to farmers, women, youth, students, and budding entrepreneurs.