North India · State
Himachal Pradesh
Deodar ridges, apple orchards and the cold desert of Spiti, with temple towns in the valleys and Tibetan Buddhist settlements in the upper districts.
- Capital
- Shimla — Dharamshala serves as the winter capital, hosting the winter session of the state assembly.
- Languages
- Hindi (official); Sanskrit (additional official); Pahari dialects; Kinnauri, Bhoti — major and official languages, not an exclusive list.
Cultural traditions, arts & crafts
- • Kullu and Kinnauri shawl weaving with geometric borders
- • Chamba rumal — double-satin-stitch embroidered coverlets
- • Pahari miniature painting from the hill courts
- • Village deity (devta) processions with palanquins and drums
Major festivals
- Kullu Dussehra — October (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Losar (upper districts) — February–March (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Shimla Summer Festival — May–June (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.
- • Woollen shawls and pattu drapes are worn across the hill districts in winter
- • The Kinnauri and Himachali topi, with coloured velvet bands, is worn by men and increasingly by women
- • Kullu shawls with woven borders are a recognised geographical-indication textile
Where to go
Show Himachal Pradesh on the explore mapSources & verify
- Himachal Pradesh Tourism (official)
- Know India — States & UTs (Government of India)
- Development Commissioner (Handlooms), 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.