India’s Mango – Capturing Hearts

MANGO DAY is celebrated across India on July 22 since 1987 with bustling mango markets, vibrant exhibitions and a plethora of delectable mango sweets. The national event is supported by the National Horticulture Board and acknowledged by the Tourism Board of India.

India was the first country to cultivate mangoes in the world 4,000 years ago. Hence, mango is the pride of the country. A fleshy drupe, belonging to the genus Mangifera in family Anacardiaceae, mango is one of the most consumed fruits in the world. It is the national fruit of India, Pakistan and Philippines and the national tree of Bangladesh.

Mangoes have a global appeal and their sweet, juicy taste makes them a favourite fruit for many people around the world. From their cultural significance to their nutritional value, mangoes have captured the hearts and souls of many people across the world.

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Significance of Mango in India

In India, mango is more than simply a fruit; it’s an integral component of the Indian culture, history and integrity. Now, mango has been distributed worldwide to become one of the most cultivated fruits, earning the name—the king of fruits. National Mango Day reminds, the role of this sweet and succulent fruit in various cultures, where it symbolizes abundance, prosperity and unity.

In Indian mythology, mangoes are often associated with love and fertility. They are considered symbols of prosperity and good fortune. In several cultures, its leaves are ritually used as floral decorations at weddings, public celebrations and religious ceremonies. The mango represents abundance and joy, making it an integral part of several religious festivities.

In Manipur, during the Pajah, the pots (Goht) are decorated with garlands made of mango leaves. The fruit is vastly grown in all the districts of the state.

Although the state has mango abundant production, due to lack of technical knowledge, most of the mangoes are lost with insect infestation. Also, due to lack of storage facilities, the mango fruits cannot be made available in the markets for a longer period except imported from outside.

Significance of Mango Day

Mango has a special significance for India. Historical records mentioned Mughal emperor Akbar ordered the plantation of 100,000 mango trees. Poets like Kalidas, Mirza Ghalib and Rabindranath Tagore wrote many stories on Mangoes. The word ‘mango’ originated from the Tamil word mangai or mankay meaning ‘unripe fruit’.

Mango Day holds significant importance as it cherishes the value of tropical fruits. It highlights the rich diversity of mango varieties, promoting their nutritional value and versatility in culinary creations.

Mango Day fosters a sense of community, bringing people together to share their love for this yellow fruit through various activities, feasts and events. The day also serves as a reminder of the agricultural and forestry significance of mango cultivation, encouraging sustainable practices and environmental importance for the fruit’s growth and production.

Natural Health Benefits of Mango

Mango contains a variety of phytochemicals and nutrients. Mango peel and pulp contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and omega-3 and -6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Mangoes are a rich source of essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, E and K, vitamin B6, foliate, B vitamins and essential minerals like potassium and magnesium.

Mangoes are high in dietary fibre, aiding digestion and promoting regular bowel movements. They can also help prevent constipation and other digestive issues.

Mango fruits help to lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood pressure. Despite being acidic in taste, mangoes have an alkalizing effect on the body. Consuming mangoes regularly can help to maintain the body’s acid-base balance.

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Mangoes are relatively low in calories and fat, making them a healthy addition to a balanced diet, particularly for those who want to lose body weight. Thus, a mango fruit provides 50% of our daily vitamin C, 8% of daily vitamin A and 8% of our daily vitamin B6.

People eagerly await the arrival of the season for this succulent and flavorful fruit, cherishing its indulgence throughout the year. This day is a joyous occasion to celebrate the rich heritage and delightful flavors of this regal fruit. It’s a time to relish its sweetness, savour its unique characteristics and appreciate its cultural significance.

India Largest Producer of Mango

Mango trees grow up to 35–40 m tall and live up to 300 years. Mangoes are evergreen and the fruit takes three to six months to ripe. The fruit is cultivated in warmer subtropical climates and more than a third of the world’s mangoes are cultivated in India, followed by China. Now mangoes are grown everywhere in the world.
Although India is the largest producer of mangoes, it accounts for less than 1% of the international mango trade; India consumes most of its production. The global mango production is around 59 million metric tons and India produced 21 million metric tons i.e. 50% of the world in 2024.
Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are the top three producers.

The current market dominant mango varieties are Chausa, Dasheri, Rataul, Langra, Himsagar, Tommy Atkins, Alphonso, Benishaan or Benisha, Kesar, Malgova, Peethar, Rumani, Bangalura, Rasalu, Thothapari, Neelam, Sindhoora, Fajli and Salem etc.

On this National Mango Day 2025, let’s plant more mango trees and enjoy the environmental greenery and taste the sweetness of the fruits. This will surely enhance the beauty and economy of our rural lives and help to conserve biodiversity and the degraded environment. Therefore, on National Mango Day 2025, let’s relish the lusciousness of Mango, the true king of the fruits.

The author is an Environmentalist, presently working as District Forest Officer, Chandel district, Manipur. The author can be reached at [email protected].

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