Now, Pilikula gears up for Vasanthotsava

MANGALURU: Riding high on the success of Pilikula Mathsyotsava, which was crowded by anglers last week, the authorities of Dr Shivarama Karantha Pilikula Nisargadhama will host the Pilikula Vasanthotsava this Sunday. The Vasanthotsava will give connoisseurs of fruits a chance to savor a variety of tantalizing food products.
The idea of hosting these festivals is to give the younger generation a chance to taste seasonal fruits, said deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, who is also the chairman of the governing council of Pilikula Nisargadhama Society.
Nisargadhama will focus more on jackfruit and its byproducts, such as mulaka, gatti, payasam, chips, and halwa. “The number of food items that can be made using jackfruit is simply mind-boggling,” said D C Chowta, progressive farmer and member of the governing council of the society.
“We have invited people like ‘Jack’ Anil, who have specialized in popularizing jackfruit in a big way. They will share their experiences on how various varieties of jackfruit can be viably grown in this area,” Chowta said.
Visitors will also get an opportunity to check out forest produce and other wild fruits. Yogesh H R, deputy director, department of horticulture, said that efforts are on to procure cocum and jamoon from locales that grow these fruits for the benefit of people here. Luscious varieties of mangoes and other fruits sourced by Hopcoms too will be available for sale.
In an attempt to popularize terrace and kitchen gardening among people in the city, Yogesh said that the department will tie up with Siri Horticulture Association. Together, they will strive to encourage gardening practices. The department will also sell seeds and saplings at nominal cost to promote terrace gardening, he said.
Ayurvedic products, organic shandy, vegetables, sandalwood and teak saplings will also be sold at the fair, said S A Prabhakar Sharma, executive director of Pilikula Nisargadhama Society.
Kempe Gowda, joint director, department of agriculture, said farmers from organic villages declared by the department, will also be selling their organic produce at the Vasanthotsava.