Chandigarh: Every few years, a new lifestyle trend captures the imagination of Chandigarh’s residents. From sourdough baking and book clubs to pickleball and wellness circles, the city has always embraced activities that blend recreation with community. The latest addition to that list is an unlikely one—American Mahjong.
Once considered a niche tabletop game, Mahjong is fast becoming one of the Tricity’s most popular social pursuits among women. Across Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, weekday afternoons are increasingly being spent around tables lined with colourful tiles, where strategy, conversation and laughter come together in equal measure.
Driving this growing interest are Sheenu Malik, founder of CakeTalk and Mahjong & Mischief, and Priyanka Ahuja, founder of Mahjmania. Through structured workshops, beginner-friendly classes and regular game sessions, the duo has introduced hundreds of women to a game that offers much more than entertainment.
“Initially, we expected interest mainly from young professionals and entrepreneurs,” says Shinu. “What surprised us was the response from older generations. Recently, my mother called to ask when we would start a batch for her friends. They were all in their seventies and eighties. That was when I realised Mahjong was becoming something much bigger than a trend.”
Unlike many modern leisure activities that revolve around screens, Mahjong encourages face-to-face interaction. The game requires players to rely on memory, observation, probability and strategic thinking while adapting to constantly changing combinations of tiles.
Yet regular players say the appeal extends beyond the game itself.
“People often walk into a session without knowing anyone,” says Shinu. “A few weeks later, they are celebrating birthdays together, travelling together and eagerly waiting for the next game. Mahjong becomes the reason to meet, but friendship becomes the lasting outcome.”
The rise of Mahjong also reflects a broader social shift taking place in the Tricity. Increasingly, women are seeking experience-led communities that offer meaningful personal connections rather than purely digital interactions. Hobby groups, wellness clubs and interest-based communities have seen significant growth in recent years, and Mahjong appears to fit naturally into that trend.
The sessions organised by Shinu and Priyanka are designed to be inclusive and welcoming, ensuring that newcomers feel comfortable regardless of age or experience. As a result, college graduates often play alongside business owners, young mothers share tables with retirees, and friendships continue long after the final tile is played.
For Shinu, who continues to run her successful cake business, the transition from creating celebration cakes to creating social experiences feels like a natural progression.
“For years, I made cakes that became part of people’s special memories,” she says. “Now, I get to help create those memories through shared experiences.”
In a city known for its love of good food, lively conversations and vibrant social circles, Mahjong appears to have found the perfect home. What began as a pastime is rapidly evolving into a community movement—one tile, one game and one friendship at a time.
