Lucknow: There’s something about Teej that turns even the most ordinary banquet hall into a riot of colour and laughter, and Hotel The Golden Apple in Mahanagar found that out firsthand this week. Social Event Group brought the city together for “Teej Mahotsav – Season 1,” an evening that had women and families showing up in their brightest green outfits, ready to sing, dance, and compete their way through one of the most joyous festivals on the calendar.
The celebration wasn’t just about the festivities, though — it also carried a quiet social purpose, with Alliance Clubs International coming on board as the NGO partner, lending the event a community-minded edge alongside all the fun.
The evening kicked off, rather fittingly, with a Punctuality Round — a gentle nudge, perhaps, for everyone to arrive on time to a festival that’s ultimately about togetherness. From there, things moved quickly into a full house of activities: a spirited game of Housie, dance performances that had guests up on their feet, interactive games, and a few rapid-fire rounds that tested just how quick everyone’s reflexes really were.
But if there were two moments that had the room buzzing the most, it was the Saas-Bahu Dance Competition and the Maa-Beti Dance Competition. Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, mothers and daughters, took to the floor together, and the result was exactly what you’d hope for — colourful, heartfelt, occasionally chaotic, and thoroughly entertaining performances that had the crowd cheering every step of the way.
No Teej celebration would be complete without a little friendly competition on the beauty and creativity front, and this one didn’t disappoint. Awards were handed out for Best Mehendi, Best Hairstyle, Best Hair Stylist, Best Reel Maker, and a Lucky Draw Winner, while a whole set of Special Merit Awards recognised everything from Best Smile and Best Pose to Best Flower Jewellery, Best Energy, Best Dance, Best Eyes, Best Singer, and even Original Long Hair — proof that the organisers made sure there was a moment in the spotlight for almost everyone who walked through the door.
The venue itself did its part to set the mood. Marigold flowers, traditional swings, lotus decorations, and festive touches transformed the space into something that felt straight out of a Teej celebration in its truest form. And true to tradition, the crowd embraced the spirit of the festival by dressing almost entirely in green — a colour that, for Teej, has always stood for freshness, renewal, and the arrival of the monsoon season.
Special arrangements were also made to welcome children at the event, ensuring the celebration truly stayed a family affair rather than one limited to just the adults.
At its heart, the organisers said, the idea behind Teej Mahotsav was simple: to give women and families a space where they could celebrate Indian traditions while also just having a good time — through entertainment, a bit of friendly competition, and the kind of social interaction that festivals are really meant for.
The event was put together by Deepa, Pavani, Ritu, Geeta, Mona, Jyoti and Meenakshi, with Alliance Clubs International supporting the initiative throughout as NGO partner.
As the evening wound down amid the last of the music and celebration, the organisers made one thing clear — this wasn’t going to be a one-off. They hope to keep bringing communities together through events like this one, celebrating India’s traditions while giving people a genuine reason to dress up, dance, and reconnect with each other.
