North India · State
Uttar Pradesh
India's most populous state, holding the Taj Mahal, the Ganga ghats of Varanasi, Awadhi court culture and the Buddhist sites of Sarnath and Kushinagar.
- Capital
- Lucknow
- Languages
- Hindi (official); Urdu (additional official); Awadhi, Braj, Bhojpuri — major and official languages, not an exclusive list.
Cultural traditions, arts & crafts
- • Chikankari shadow-work embroidery from Lucknow
- • Banarasi brocade weaving with zari
- • Kathak dance of the Lucknow gharana
- • Brassware from Moradabad and perfumery (attar) from Kannauj
Major festivals
- Dev Deepawali, Varanasi — November (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Holi in Mathura & Barsana — March (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Magh Mela / Kumbh, Prayagraj — January–February (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.
- • Banarasi silk saris are worn at weddings across much of North India
- • Chikankari kurtas and suits are everyday and festive wear in Lucknow
- • Men wear kurta-pyjama, and sherwani or angarkha for Awadhi ceremonies
Where to go
Show Uttar Pradesh on the explore mapSources & verify
- Uttar 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.