PRESS RELEASE:
From Uttar Pradesh Orchards to Global Plates Celebrating Sustainability, Culinary Innovation, and Cultural Heritage
Sitapur & Lucknow, India | June–July 2025—
The Mango Festival, one of India’s most loved celebrations of the “King of Fruits,” has just marked its 13th anniversary with spectacular editions in Sitapur and an upcoming showcase in Lucknow on 12 & 13 July. Organized by Lucknow Farmers Market, this grassroots initiative has grown into a nationally and internationally admired platform connecting rural farmers to global mango lovers.
The Sitapur edition, held on 22–23 June at the scenic Vintage Village Resort, was a vibrant confluence of mango growers, food lovers, and sustainability advocates. More than 400 guests, including visitors from Maharashtra, Gujarat, the U.S., and Canada, joined to celebrate the region’s famed Dussehri mango and other local varieties like Gulabkhas, Langra, Sunehri, and Husnara. Special guests included Lt Gen Sengupta, Mrs. Ruchira Sengupta, Ms. Uttar Pradesh Prabhati Pandey, and social media influencers who gave the event wide digital reach.
The festival’s eco-focus remained central, with mango seed ball plantation drives, waste segregation, and the use of biodegradable materials. As Jyotsna Kaur Habibullah, CEO of Lucknow Farmers Market, noted:
“Every year, our festival grows in size and impact—bringing together community, culture, and climate responsibility.”
Orchard owner Abbas Jafri added,
“This year’s Mango Festival has brought mango lovers closer to nature and given a real boost to eco-tourism. Local farmers benefited directly from increased visibility and transparent sales.”
The festival also included interactive workshops on organic farming, a biodiversity walk, and rural experiences like bullock cart, camel, and horse rides, along with honeybee farming demos, seed ball making, and a vibrant gaon ka mela. Children enjoyed mango-themed storytelling, games, and quizzes, while music lovers swayed to a live concert by Melophile.
Coming Up: Lucknow Edition, 12 & 13 July
Following the success of Sitapur, the Mango Festival travels to One Awadh Centre, Lucknow, for an urban edition on 12th and 13th July 2025. This leg will feature a Mango Cooking Contest with Top Chefs from Lucknow, celebrating mango in traditional and innovative dishes—from chutneys to gourmet desserts.
The Lucknow event will continue the festival’s mission of bridging city and countryside, connecting conscious consumers with farmers and showcasing India’s rich mango biodiversity in a modern, accessible format.
More Than a Festival: A Movement
Since its founding in 2013, the Mango Festival has evolved from a modest orchard visit into a nationwide and global celebration of India’s mango heritage. It has become a platform for promoting sustainability, rural livelihoods, heirloom mango varieties, and the culinary arts.
At its heart are the orchard walks, where guests taste mangoes straight from the tree, breathe in the sweet summer air, and reconnect with nature. Today, the festival also uplifts rural artisans, chefs, and agri-entrepreneurs, serving as a model for community-led sustainability.
Join the Mango Magic!
COUNTRY SQUIRE INDIA 