Panchkula: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini Friday inaugurated the three-day 33rd Mango Fair at the historic Yadavindra Garden in Pinjore, kicking off one of north India’s most popular fruit festivals.Organised jointly by Haryana Tourism Corporation and the horticulture department, the fair will continue till July 12 and feature mango exhibitions, cultural programmes, competitions, food stalls and handicrafts.Heritage and tourism minister Arvind Sharma was also present at the inauguration.More than 400 varieties of mangoes from across the country have been put on display, offering visitors an opportunity to explore and taste different cultivars while providing growers a platform to showcase their produce.The fair includes competitions such as rangoli, face painting, poster-making, drawing, group dance and singing, handwriting, mehndi, Best Out of Waste, mango quiz and the popular mango-eating contest.Cultural performances and live music have also been lined up. Haryanvi singer Amit Saini Rohtakia will perform on July 10, Punjabi singer Shaminder Shammi on July 11, while Haryanvi singer Naveen Punia will take the stage on the concluding day. Folk artistes will also present traditional Haryanvi performances.A specially curated food court is serving a range of cuisines, including mango-based delicacies, while a crafts bazaar showcases handicrafts, handloom products and traditional artefacts.Apart from being a major tourist attraction, the fair serves as a platform for horticulturists and mango growers to promote diverse mango varieties and interact directly with consumers.Major attractionsExhibition of 400+ mango varieties from across IndiaMango-eating contest and mango quizCompetitions for children and youthDaily cultural and musical performancesFood court featuring mango-based delicaciesCrafts bazaar with handicrafts and handloom productsFamily-focused entertainment throughout the event
