Kesar Mango Festival 2025 : A Treat for Mango Lovers in Gujarat

Let’s be real — if you’re Indian, you didn’t just eat mangoes, you lived them. Remember those sticky fingers, juice running down your chin, racing cousins for the last slice? The smell of ripe mangoes filling up the kitchen? Cutting them into cubes, sucking the seed dry, or diving straight into a bowl of aamras — mango was never just a fruit. It was summer’s biggest joy. 

We’ve crowned mango the King of Fruits, and rightly so. It’s not just the flavour — it’s that sweet, tangy, silky-soft texture that hits all the right notes of nostalgia, indulgence, and joy. And our collective mango obsession led to an entire festival dedicated to the mangoes. This is no ordinary fair. Here, farmers bring the juiciest, carbide-free Kesar mangoes straight from the heart of Talala-Gir, Junagadh, and other mango-rich pockets of Gujarat. It’s a mango market-meets-cultural-mela that celebrates not just the fruit, but the farmers, the flavours, and the fiercely emotional bond Indians share with aam.

Meet the Growers & Explore the Festival Magic

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Let’s pause the Instagram scroll and lean into the real power behind the festival: the farmers. Organised by the Gujarat government and fronted by Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation, this month-long event gives 85 mango-growing families vital exposure—with no stall rent to worry about. Talala, Junagadh and Amreli farmers converge to share sacks of freshly plucked Kesar mangoes priced reasonably between Rs. 600–1,200 for a 10 kg box. Premium GI-certified export boxes even go up to Rs. 2,500, reflecting the proud heritage of Gir’s red-soil orchards.

For foodies and travellers, the festival offers more than just fruit. Workshops on organic cultivation and mango care give fun behind-the-scenes insight. Visitors can even sign up for farm tours in Talala and Junagadh to walk among mango groves—an experience that Instagram filter can’t replicate. Meanwhile, stalls featuring mango pulp, pickles, juices and desserts—from local chefs and agro-producers—add tang to the taste journey. There’s entertainment too: children dive into mango-eating contests, fairground stalls buzz with laughter, and folk musicians play live Garba. Traditional Gujarati cuisine—undeniably delicious—adds another layer of flavour. Food isn’t just edible; it becomes memorable when shared in vibrant, sunlit gathering spaces.

Beyond joy and flavour, there’s a solidarity undercurrent. This isn’t just a fair—it’s agritourism with purpose. Farmers share best practices with horticulturists. FPOs and organic growers—many from regions like Kutch and Valsad—network, forming rural-urban bridges. Kesar mangoes from pesticide-free farms reinforce health and sustainability. Discussions around GI (Geographical Indication) create pride, protecting local heritage and flavours.

And let’s not leave out the economic impact. The festival typically moves over 2.5 lakh kg of mangoes—with festival sales creating a buzz in rural economies. The event also draws pockets of international travellers, curious for an authentic taste. Families planning a holiday weekend in Gujarat—especially food lovers—should see this as more than an event. For them, it’s a gateway into folk culture, rural life, sustainable farming and festive fun—all tied together by one irresistible fruit.

Sweet Tease Mango Love

India’s love affair with mangoes is legendary—but at the Kesar Mango Festival, it takes on fresh meaning. Here, fruit lovers connect with farmers, savour genuine flavours, and witness a slice of Gujarat’s agrarian spirit. It’s playful, it’s real—and it’s colourful in every sense. If you’re seeking a festival that combines food, culture, sustainability and storytelling, this summer’s Kesar celebration could be just the inspiration you never knew you needed. So however you eat it — sliced, squished, or straight from the seed — this mango fest is calling your name.

Where: Talala, Junagadh district, Gujarat

When: Till 13th June.  9:00 AM – 11:30 PM.