Murshidabad set to host biggest ever mango festival in June

The festival is expected to draw a diverse range of visitors, including mango and heritage enthusiasts, foodies, travellers, horticulturists, culinary historians and chefs
| Photo Credit:
M A Sriram

Murshidabad, a place where history thrives, is set to host its biggest ever mango festival in June for mango enthusiasts, foodies, and travellers, with the month-long event coinciding with the peak season for the king of fruits.

In its 10th edition, Azimganj Mango Festival is aiming for more than 1,000 visitors from across the country to experience the diverse world of mangoes, one of the oldest cultivated fruits. Around 400 orchards are there in Murshidabad, the second largest mango producing district after neighbouring Malda district in West Bengal.

Murshidabad is widely known as a place rich in history. It was the capital of Bengal before the advent of the British in India. Azimganj is situated at the south bank of river Bhagirathi.

“Azimganj Mango Festival is starting from June 1. This year the festival will be month-long against a one-day event last year. So, this time we are expecting over 1000 visitors. Around 400 visitors came last time. In terms of activities this edition of the festival will be bigger, larger and better,” Pradip Chopra, President of Murshidabad Heritage Development Society, told businessline.

Mango trail experience

“The visitors will be treated to a daily mango trail experience. They will be visiting local orchards to hand-pick and taste various mango varieties. They will also be learning about the history and cultivation of mangoes, and exploring the diverse world of mangoes, including rare and local varieties,” Chopra said, adding this experience for visitors would be similar to wine trails in Europe or tea trails in North Bengal.

The festival is expected to draw a diverse range of visitors, including mango and heritage enthusiasts, foodies, travellers, horticulturists, culinary historians, and chefs. “Anybody who is directly and indirectly related to food and health consciousness will definitely come,” Chopra felt.

Museum hotel

“Last year the House of Sheherwali was not there, so accommodation of visitors was an issue. This year we can accommodate a large number of visitors,” he added.

Located at Azimganj in Murshidabad, the House of Sheherwali is the first museum hotel of its kind in eastern India. This museum hotel showcases treasures from British, Dutch, French and Portuguese along with Sheherwali, Mughal, and Bengali households.

Murshidabad town still bears memories of Nawabs with mosques, tombs, and gardens. The place has a great historical significance as in 1757 the British East India Company defeated Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey, and after that the entire nation was brought under British colonial rule.

India, being the largest producer of mangoes, boasts over 500 varieties, with Murshidabad alone being home to around 150 varieties.

Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, Hooghly and North 24 Parganas are major mango producing districts in West Bengal. The mango culture here was first promoted by the Nawab and Nizams of Bengal.

Published on May 27, 2025