Lalbagh Mango and Jackfruit festival, Bengaluru

I arrived at Bengaluru on Saturday morning and had half a day to spare before checkin time at Oyo Premium Hotel Bengaluru International. I went to Lalbagh to check out mango and jackfruit festival.

Lalbagh is one of the big gardens in Bengaluru, with a popular glass house in the centre, a lake and many other attractions. Twice an year, during republic day and Independence day, flower show is organized in Lalbagh, exhibiting wide variety of flowers.  During other seasons, other horticulture related shows are held occasionally.

Also see: Glass House in Hubli

This being the season for Mango and Jackfruit, an exhibition and sale of the same was organized. (It was inaugurated by Karnataka Chief Minister the previous day, will go on for a month approx.)

Exhibition area has a small outlet that displayed samples of various varieties of Mangos and displayed technical information related to Mango harvesting. Few varieties of jackfruit was also on display, but without a cut piece, it is difficult to understand the jackfruit varieties- they all look alike on the outside. While CM had posed munching on delicious mangos, visitors didn't have any provision to taste various varieties of Mango that were on display.

There were around 30 odd stalls selling different varieties of mangos- prices are fixed, as shown below, set by the horticulture department and same price in all stores. Most of them were big farmers, from all over Karnataka and also neighboring states. I am sure these rates are lower than what your neighborhood store charges- feel free to compare. All the stores claim to be selling mangos without carbides (chemicals used for rich colour and faster ripening)

Jackfruit stalls were little down near the glass house- no standard pricing for jackfruits (it is difficult to quantify and fix a price), each vendor would sell at a rate he thinks fair. But I find that their rates are reasonable and much cheaper than what road side vendors charge.

I bought and feasted on lots of Mangos and jackfruits.

Go check out the Mango and Jackfruit festival in Lalbagh if you’re in Bengaluru. (There will be Rs 10 per person, Rs 50 per camera and some car parking fee to enter Lalbagh)