The 20 edition of the Mango Festival organised by the Calicut Agri-Horticultural Society began at Gandhi Park here on Thursday. The festival being organised this year in association with the Agricultural Improvement Cooperative Society, Muthalamada was inaugurated by A. Pradeep Kumar, MLA, in the presence of vice-president of the society P. V. Gangadharan.
Around 50 different varieties of mangoes along with rare hybrid species are being exhibited and sold at the mango fete. A major attraction of the fete is the exhibition-cum-sale of good quality mango saplings from government farms.
The major varieties of mangoes showcased include Alphonsa, Kudadath, Banganappalli, Malgoa and Chakkarakkutty. Bangalora (Thothappuri) which is suitable for diabetes patients, colourful Manat Alphonsa and Chinna Suvarnarekha, best sellers Chandrakkaran, Perakka manga and Ammini, mangoes that have been named by Mughul emperors after their children like Jahangiri, Himayuddeen, Himapasanth and Banishan as well as the hybrid varieties like H4, Mallika, H44 and H151.
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Various species, including mangoes developed at the District Agricultural farm in Thalipparamba are also showcased.
A mango eating competition has been organised as part of the festival at 4 p.m. on May 12, separately for men and women. Mango juice and ice cream will also be on sale at the venue.
Secretary of the Society Thomas Mathew told reporters here that the festival is being organised to enable the public to get acquainted with different varieties of mangoes grown in India and thereby differentiate between the original varieties from the look-alikes.
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The show will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will conclude on May 13.