Central & East India · State
Jharkhand
A forested plateau of waterfalls and mineral wealth, home to Santhal, Munda, Oraon and Ho communities whose art and seasonal festivals track the agricultural year.
- Capital
- Ranchi
- Languages
- Hindi (official); Santali, Mundari, Kurukh, Nagpuri, Urdu — major and official languages, not an exclusive list.
Cultural traditions, arts & crafts
- • Sohrai and Khovar mural painting on village walls
- • Chhau masked dance of the Seraikela school
- • Dhokra metal casting and bamboo craft
- • Tussar silk rearing and weaving
Major festivals
- Sarhul — March–April (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Sohrai — October–November (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Karma — August–September (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.
- • Santhal women commonly wear the panchi-parhan, a white-and-red bordered cotton drape
- • Tussar silk saris are the state's best-known handloom product
- • Men wear dhoti with a shoulder cloth at community dances; everyday wear is contemporary
Where to go
- Ranchi & Netarhat
Sources & verify
- Jharkhand 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.