Central & East India · State
Bihar
The Ganga plains here hold the roots of Buddhism and Jainism, the ruins of Nalanda's monastic university, and a strong folk-art and folk-music tradition.
- Capital
- Patna
- Languages
- Hindi (official); Urdu (additional official); Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi — major and official languages, not an exclusive list.
Cultural traditions, arts & crafts
- • Madhubani (Mithila) painting, made by women of the Mithila region
- • Sikki grass craft and sujani embroidered quilts
- • Folk singing traditions associated with Bhojpuri and Maithili
- • Stone and lac bangle craft around Muzaffarpur
Major festivals
- Chhath Puja — October–November (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Sonepur Mela — November–December (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Buddha Purnima, Bodh Gaya — April–May (dates vary — verify current dates)
Traditional dress & textiles
Dress varies by community, district, occasion and generation; everyday clothing today is often contemporary. These are representative traditions rather than a single state costume.
- • Cotton and tussar saris, often with Madhubani motifs, are worn for festivals
- • Men wear dhoti-kurta with a gamchha in rural areas; kurta-pyjama is common city wear
- • Sujani embroidery appears on shawls, dupattas and quilts
Where to go
Show Bihar on the explore mapSources & verify
- Bihar Tourism (official)
- Know India — States & UTs (Government of India)
- Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles
Last reviewed: August 2026. Cultural traditions in India vary by community, district, occasion and generation. The notes below are representative examples reviewed against government sources, not exhaustive or official definitions. Festival timings follow lunar or locally announced calendars — verify current dates with the relevant state tourism department before travelling.