Say hello to a cultural extravaganza lighting up the city once again, for the much-awaited Awadh Mahotsav or Wajid Ali Shah Awadh Festival is here! Where art meets creativity, where craft meets innovation — the festival celebrating the culture of Awadh is all set to spread glory into our lives.

Organised by Uttar Pradesh Tourism, Department of Culture, and Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi, the five-day vibrant affair will commence from March 18.

Channel the cultural enthusiast in you for the festival has everything — from music and dance, cuisine and handicraft, to the itehaas and adab of nawabs, and the heritage that is worthy of widespread pride.

The festival will be brimming with fun activities like kite flying, ikka-tanga race, chess competition, puppet festival, nautanki, among other attractions.

Besides, the exquisite culture of Awadh's Ganga–Jamuni Tehzeeb will be showcased through a host of events like Bhajan-Ghazal, Qawwali, Sufi mehfil, Kabir Vani, Kissagoi, whereas the vivacious folk dances will comprise that of Kathak, Karma, Dhediya, Faruvahi, and Rai.

While Himanshu Bajpai will narrate stories at the Awadh Mahotsav, Pt Jaikishan Maharaj and Padma Vibhushan Pt Birju Maharaj's grandson Tribhuvan Maharaj will present Kathak. At the same time, local Kathak dancers like Neha Singh and Kantika Mishra will also grace the occasion, along with Padma Shri Ustad Ahmed Hussain Mohd Hussain reciting Ghazals, and performers from Mathura arriving here, besides many other exhilirating affairs.

Besides, the Heritage Walk here will take you through time to the Nawabi era, while the rich Awadhi cuisine will offer a plethora of dishes to suit everyone's palette. An exhibition of Awadhi crafts will also embellish the Mahotsav further.

From dishes made of millets to a huge row of food stalls and resplendent handicrafts, get ebrious on happiness and art, music and dance, at the Awadh Mahotsav!

P.S. There's a surprise for all — anyone who shows up at the Mohatsav wearing Awadhi ensembles and dresses the best will get a special prize each day, said Director General, UP Tourism & Culture, Mukesh Meshram.

When: March 18-22

Where: Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi, Vipin Khand Gomti Nagar, Lucknow