Take a stroll in Konkan orchards, biting into that juicy hapoos

Take a stroll in Konkan orchards, biting into that juicy hapoos

This summer, forget buying mangoes from the market. Instead, how about a leisurely stroll in a mango orchard in the Konkan and plucking juicy alphonsos? Well, the state’s tourism body, along with a group of locals from the Konkan region, to give mango lovers a first-hand experience of the king of fruits during a mango festival it will organise. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation expects over 5,000 tourists to visit this festival that will be held between April 11 and June 9. Besides, mangoes, other specialties of the region like jackfruit, cashew and blueberries will also be on offer, said an official. Tour operators say that indigenous events like this one will help the state attract tourism in the long run. Ajay Prakash of Nomad Travels in Andheri (west) said, “I am sure mango lovers, especially from Mumbai, would love to have something like this.” Managing director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Jagdish Patil said, “This festival is being organised for the first time ever to give mango lovers a different opportunity to enjoy hapoos in the lap of nature.” Andheri resident Suresh Rai, who seemed quite kicked about the mango fest, said he would love to be part of this festival. “Connecting with mango lovers and plucking fresh mangoes from trees should be quite an experience. I wonder how many of us city folks have experienced this before,” said Rai.