West India · State
Maharashtra
Rock-cut caves at Ajanta and Ellora, Deccan forts, a long Konkan coast and the country's largest film industry sit inside one state.
- Capital
- Mumbai — Nagpur hosts the winter session of the state legislature and is often described as the second capital.
- Languages
- Marathi (official); Hindi; English; Konkani in the coastal belt — major and official languages, not an exclusive list.
Cultural traditions, arts & crafts
- • Lavani and Powada performance traditions
- • Paithani silk weaving with peacock and lotus borders
- • Warli painting by the Warli community of Palghar
- • Warkari pilgrimage singing on the way to Pandharpur
Major festivals
- Ganesh Chaturthi — August–September (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Gudi Padwa — March–April (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Pandharpur Wari — June–July (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.
- • The nauvari (nine-yard) sari is worn at festivals; Paithani silk is the classic wedding textile
- • Men wear dhoti with a Puneri or Kolhapuri pagdi for ceremonies
- • Kolhapuri leather chappals are worn across communities
Where to go
Show Maharashtra on the explore mapSources & verify
- Maharashtra 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.