Mysuru, 3 May

The two-day annual Jackfruit Festival, organised by Sahaja Samrudha in collaboration with Rotary Club, Amul Organic, and Rich Plus, began on Saturday at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry, drawing a large crowd from Mysuru and neighbouring districts. The event will conclude on Sunday.

Farmers from HD Kote, Periyapatna, Kollegal, Srirangapatna, Tiptur, Chikkanayakanahalli, and Haveri showcased a wide variety of jackfruits—including red, white, and yellow-fleshed types—known for their distinctive taste, texture, and appearance.

The festival featured a vibrant jackfruit food bazaar offering innovative delicacies such as jackfruit ice cream, jams, squashes, papads, halwa, kababs, holige, and dosa. Cooking demonstrations highlighted the fruit’s versatility in traditional and modern recipes.

Seedlings of 25 unique jackfruit varieties, including Rudrakshi Halasu, Siddu, Tubagere Halasu, Vietnam Super Early, and rare red-fleshed types like Chandra Halasu, were on display and sale. Over 50 groups also exhibited organic produce including millets, desi rice, cold-pressed oils, Bilwa (stone apple) juice, and saplings.

A drawing competition for children and adults and a training session on jackfruit farming techniques were held. Competitions such as jackfruit eating, lifting, and weight guessing will continue on Sunday.