Islands · Union territory
Lakshadweep
India's smallest union territory: 36 coral islands in the Arabian Sea, with lagoons, atolls and permit-controlled tourism.
- Capital
- Kavaratti
- Languages
- Malayalam (official); Mahl (Dhivehi) on Minicoy; English — major and official languages, not an exclusive list.
Cultural traditions, arts & crafts
- • Lava dance of Minicoy and Kolkali stick dance
- • Coir rope making and coconut-based livelihoods
- • Traditional odam boat building and lagoon fishing
- • Reef-conscious island cuisine built on tuna and coconut
Major festivals
- Eid al-Fitr — Lunar calendar; varies (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Eid al-Adha — Lunar calendar; varies (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Minicoy boat races — Announced annually (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.
- • Most residents are Muslim; women commonly wear the kachi wrap with a thundu head covering
- • On Minicoy, dress and language show Maldivian influence, including the libaas
- • Men wear a mundu with a shirt; modest dress is expected across the islands
Where to go
Show Lakshadweep on the explore mapSources & verify
- Lakshadweep Administration (official)
- Know India — States & UTs (Government of India)
- Incredible India — Ministry of Tourism
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.