If you are a believer of the phrase - ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ - you should head straight to Lalbagh Botanical Garden. Not only are there varieties of apples on display, you can buy them too. Organised by National Horticulture Board along with State Horticulture department and other partners, the 2nd Inter State Horti Fair Sangam or national apple show will be open for public from October 9 to 12.

The event hopes to introduce people to a variety of apples grown in the northern states including Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarkhand and Arunachal Pradesh. Besides apples, the 20 kiosks set up near the Glass House, will also sell exotic fruits like kiwi, spices from North-Eastern states, dry fruits and fresh vegetables.

Dr S Shanmukhappa, deputy director of Horticulture said that there would also be farmer to farmer interaction during the four-day event.

Of the 12 types of apples grown in Himachal Pradesh, two varieties - Royal Delicious and Golden Delicious - are on display, says Arvinder Pirta, an apple grower from Jubbal, Himachal Pradesh.

Mardo Ninu, Horticulture Development Officer of Arunachal Pradesh said,  “We grow at least 23 varieties of apples, but we have 16 varieties, about five quintals, for sales. We grow everything organic, so they taste better. ”

The event is open from 9 am till 7 pm for the public.