Central & East India · State
Madhya Pradesh
The geographic centre of India holds prehistoric rock shelters, Buddhist stupas, Chandela temples and some of the country's best-known tiger reserves.
- Capital
- Bhopal
- Languages
- Hindi (official); Bundeli, Malvi, Nimadi, Gondi — major and official languages, not an exclusive list.
Cultural traditions, arts & crafts
- • Gond painting, developed from Pardhan Gond wall art
- • Chanderi and Maheshwari handloom weaving
- • Bagh block printing with natural dyes
- • Classical dance staged at Khajuraho each winter
Major festivals
- Khajuraho Dance Festival — February (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Mahashivratri, Ujjain — February–March (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Lokrang, Bhopal — January (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.
- • Chanderi and Maheshwari saris are the state's signature handlooms
- • Lehenga-choli with an odhani is common in the Malwa and Nimar belts
- • Gond and Bhil communities wear distinctive silver jewellery with everyday cotton dress
Where to go
Show Madhya Pradesh on the explore mapSources & verify
- Madhya 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.