It is that time of the year which completely transforms my diet plan. Yeah; its the mango season and almost every meal during these 2 to 3 months between April and July will have mango in some form or the other. I have been visiting the Mango and Jackfruit Festival held in Lal Bagh, Bangalore over the last few years but this time I managed to be one of the early visitors. Jointly organized by the Department of Horticulture and the Karnataka State Mango Development Marketing Corporation Limited (KSMDMCL) every year, this festival orients visitors and fruit lovers to the joys of the fruits and the varieties that are available in the state. In 2017, the festival is on in Lal Bagh from 5th May 2017 to 24th May 2017. It is held near the glass house right next to the hillock that has the Kempegowda Gate.
Mangoes that Stole my Heart
While I knew the names of the most of the varieties of mangoes by virtue of sampling them from the neighborhood grocery stores but there were far more on display here. As usual I gravitated towards the Mallika which is my all time favorite followed by Badami, Malgova, Daseri and the small sweet but heavily fibrous Sugar Baby. I tasted a few slices off the different varieties that were on sale and in most cases the prices are way below the market price in the city.
Jackfruit; Look beyond the Smell
That one fruit whose olfactory reputation precedes the fruit by miles is none other than Jackfruit. While most people shy away, I love the fruit to bits. I remember my childhood days as an able assistant to my grand mother cutting through a jackfruit with oil on my hands to minimize the sticky damage caused by the gum of the fruit. In recent times, Jackfruit has turned out to be a wonder cure for diabetes. Jackfruits are peeled and the bulbs are sold by the dozen in the fair. I went from table to table tasting a bulb each till I found my juicy sweet bulbs and quickly packed 2 dozens for myself. 
There were stalls selling organic honey, home made savories, food items made from mangoes and jackfruits as well as some kitchen tools. Everyone who walked in through the rows of stalls, invariably walked out with a couple of bags. My latent greed for mangoes surfaces at the sight of unending cartons of mangoes. After some thoughtful and some impulsive purchase I returned home a couple of kilograms heavier. 
Is mela going on at lalbagh now? or will it happen after Elections?
Not sure. The yield for mango and jackfruit is low this year.
When is mango fest in 2018
The dates are yet to be announced for 2 reasons. Due to storms in March quite a bit of crop has been destroyed , so yield is low. Also with ECC in place not sure any govt sponsored mela can be organized until the elections are over.
Do you have any update on 2018 mango mela?
The dates are yet to be announced for 2 reasons. Due to storms in March quite a bit of crop has been destroyed , so yield is low. Also with ECC in place not sure any govt sponsored mela can be organized until the elections are over.
where can i get jackfruit now in august/september month
Very difficult to get it now.
Mango Mela is still there??
Not sure. It was supposed to end on 24th May.
Is it organic mangos (without carbon)
I am very happy to see tomorrow I am going
Yeah. You will love it
Really really a great place to buy mangos. Attractive prices. I went bought so much mangos , ate so much that my Sugar had shot up very much. Yet This is amazing. Very very thaks to HOP COM. VIJAYAKUMAR – CHENNAI
Quite an informative article..Thanks for sharing.
Thank You
Could you please tell me the closing time as well?
It is on until park closure at 6.00pm. The mela is on till 24th May.
Timing of this festival?
Dawn to Dusk until 24th May, 2017
Has the mango exhibition started? Normally it happens during June 2nd week
Yes. This year due to bumper crop it started early. 5th to 24th May.
Can you please give an approximate time when it starts? 7? 8?
6.30am as soon as park opens.
We look forward to this MELA and buy as many number of times possible! Hope this mela will be there for a full month!😀
Hope so; right now it is until 24th May,2017.