Mangaluru: As part of Republic Day celebrations, a four-day flower and fruit exhibition will be organised at Kadri Park from January 23 to January 26, offering visitors a vibrant display of horticultural creativity and agricultural diversity. The event is being jointly organised by the Department of Horticulture, the district administration, the Zilla Panchayat, the Kadri Park Development Committee and the Siri Thotagarike Sangha.

The main attraction of the exhibition will be a large floral replica of the Vande Bharat train, created entirely using fresh flowers. The model will feature three bogies with a total length of 24 feet and a track length of 30 feet. Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Narwade Vinayak Karbhari said the installation symbolises modern India and is expected to be a major crowd-puller during the four-day event.

Wide range of flowers on display

Around 15,000 flower plants belonging to nearly 30 varieties have been artistically arranged across the park as part of the flower show. All the plants have been grown in pots and carefully curated to create visually striking layouts.

The varieties on display include chrysanthemum, marigold, zinnia, dianthus, aster, vinca rosea, cockscomb, dahlia, petunia, torenia and several other seasonal and ornamental flowers. Organisers said the exhibition aims to promote floriculture and encourage home gardening among the public.

In addition to flower displays, ornamental plants, bonsai plants and Ikebana flower arrangements will also be showcased, highlighting different styles of plant cultivation and floral art.

Kitchen garden and artistic carvings

A kitchen garden demonstration has been set up to educate visitors on growing vegetables at home. Crops such as brinjal, basale, chilly, tomato, beans, cauliflower, ridge gourd, bottlegourd and other vegetables have been cultivated as part of this demonstration.

Another key attraction will be artistic carvings made from fruits and vegetables. These carvings depict the district’s cultural and social significance and portray prominent personalities from various fields. Organisers said these exhibits are meant to showcase creativity while drawing attention to the importance of agriculture and local produce.

A Mickey Mouse installation and specially designed selfie points have also been arranged to attract children and young visitors.

Sale stalls and value-added products

Apart from exhibitions, stalls showcasing and selling value-added honey products will be set up. Several government departments will also participate by installing information stalls to create awareness about agricultural schemes, horticulture practices and farmer welfare programmes.

The ZP CEO said the exhibition is expected to attract between 50,000 and 60,000 visitors over four days, making it one of the major public events in the district during Republic Day celebrations.

Plant festival and seedling sale

Alongside the exhibition, a plant festival will be organised to provide a platform for nursery owners, seed sellers, fertiliser dealers, horticulture entrepreneurs and agricultural machinery vendors. About 100 vendors have already registered to set up stalls at the venue.

Horticulture Department Joint Director Shashidhar H. said that around 50,000 seedlings of tomato, brinjal and chilly, raised by the department, will be sold to the public at a subsidised rate of Rs 1 per seedling. This initiative aims to encourage kitchen gardening and boost local food production.

Entry fee and participation details

The exhibition will remain open to the public from 8 am to 8 pm on all four days. The entry fee has been fixed at Rs 30 for adults and Rs 20 for children. Students arriving in school uniform along with their teachers will be allowed free entry.

Farmers and members of the public have been invited to display unique varieties of fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, spice crops, handicrafts, bonsai plants, anthuriums and other attractive plants. Participants have been requested to bring their exhibits to Kadri Park by 4 pm on January 22.

Conclusion

Organisers said the flower and fruit exhibition aims not only to celebrate Republic Day but also to promote horticulture, sustainable agriculture and environmental awareness among the public. With a blend of education, entertainment and visual appeal, the event is expected to offer a memorable experience for visitors of all age groups.