National Mango Day: Mango is the national fruit of India. The identity of mango is not limited to India only. Rather, it is in great demand in foreign countries as well. In honor of the national fruit of India and to make people aware about its importance around the world, National Mango Day is celebrated in India every year on 22 July. Mango is called Mangifera Indica in the language of botany.
Mango is originally from South Asia but now it is found in many countries of the world. Today on the occasion of National Mango Day, we will tell you when and where the mango was first grown in India and how the desi mango got its foreign name. So let’s know then.
Mango was grown here 5000 years ago
The history of mango in India is quite old. Mangoes were first grown in India about 5000 years ago. They were grown in the areas around India and Myanmar. Mangoes were first grown in India in the Andaman Islands. After this, as the trend of trade increased gradually, mangoes started reaching from one place to another. If we talk about the origin of mangoes, then in 300-400 AD, they reached South America from Asia via East Africa and Central Africa.
But their history in India is quite old. In Indian folklore about mangoes, it is also said that Gautam Buddha was gifted a large mango orchard. Where he could meditate comfortably in the shade of mango trees. Earlier, people used to give mangoes to each other as gifts. It was considered a symbol of friendship and love. Let us tell you that mango is not only the national fruit of India but also of countries like Pakistan and Myanmar.
ComeHow do I make it?
What we call mango today, that word has come from the Sanskrit word Amra. Whereas the whole world knows it as Mango. That word has come from the Malayalam word Manna. When the Portuguese reached Kerala in the 15th century for the spice trade, they changed the word Manna to Manga. And then gradually the word Manga changed to Mango. That is why today the whole world knows mango as Mango in the English language.