North India · State
Uttarakhand
The Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, alpine meadows, the Ganga's headwaters and Corbett's tiger forest, across Garhwal and Kumaon.
- Capital
- Dehradun — Dehradun is the interim capital; Gairsain has been designated the summer capital.
- Languages
- Hindi (official); Sanskrit (second official); Garhwali, Kumaoni, Jaunsari — major and official languages, not an exclusive list.
Cultural traditions, arts & crafts
- • Aipan ritual floor and wall painting in Kumaon
- • Ringaal bamboo craft and woollen weaving in the high valleys
- • Garhwali and Kumaoni folk music with dhol-damau
- • Char Dham and Nanda Devi pilgrimage customs
Major festivals
- Nanda Devi Raj Jat — Held at long intervals; announced officially (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Kumbh Mela, Haridwar — Cyclical; announced officially (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Harela — July
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.
- • Ghagra-pichhora is worn by Kumaoni women at weddings and rituals
- • Woollen shawls, pankhi and caps are everyday winter wear in the hills
- • Men wear kurta-pyjama with a woollen waistcoat and cap at ceremonies
Where to go
Show Uttarakhand on the explore mapSources & verify
- Uttarakhand 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.