Shillong, Dec 15: The Bangalore crowd is having quite a gala time, tasting the sweet fruit from the hills of Meghalaya, the Khasi Mandarin at ZestFest, Lulu Mall, Bangalore.

The festival, organised by the Government of Meghalaya is to showcase the GI tagged Khasi Mandarin, alongside several other products indigenous to Meghalaya.

Bangalore resident Ravi Kiran expressed elation and surprise at discovering the roots of this delightful citrus fruit in Meghalaya. “I had heard of Nagpur oranges, but this is revealing for me. I have bought some for me and my family to savour,” he added.

The festival’s inaugural day will be graced by Ampareen Lyngdoh, the Minister of Agriculture, Government of Meghalaya. It is showcasing indigenous treasures such as Mandarin, Lakadong honey, and Kew pineapples. A huge crowd is anticipated on the weekend.

This festival is a step towards Meghalaya making a mark in the national market, outshining popular varieties like Nagpur oranges.