The mela is awash with different shades of yellow and green of mango varieties like Alphonso, Mallika, Kesar, Dasheri, Raspuri, Totapuri, Imam Pasand and Badami among others.

Mango enthusiasts from all parts of the city were seen indulging in hefty purchases of organically grown mangoes from different parts of Karnataka.

With 70 stalls situated in the lanes of the botanical garden, the mela will be on for about fifteen days. “I have been coming here since its commencement, The rates are not cheap but they are reasonable and there are a number of varieties to choose from,” said Ravi, a visitor at the mela.

However, farmers selling their produce at the fair expressed concern about a low crop yield due to scanty rainfall this season, which is likely to affect their profits. The low crop yields this year are evident in the decrease in the number of stalls compared to last year.

Karnataka, being a major mango producing state, has not lived up to its expectations in terms of quantity this time around – although the quality which gives the farmers their pride has remained satisfactory.

“We have about two weeks’ time to sell our produce, the government should grant us an extension and look into the matter as we barely make any profit in such a short time,” said Chandra Reddy, a farmer from Srinivasapura, Kolar. The farmers are hopeful for better weather conditions next season in order to restore their yield.

Several vendors have been selling their produce for over a decade at the Lalbagh Mela, with thousands of people to cater to over the course of a fortnight. The public attendance runs in large numbers usually at the Bengaluru Mango Mela.

Local residents and tourists enjoy the atmosphere of the mela which is set among the greenery of the Lalbagh gardens even amid the hustle and bustle of Bengaluru life.