The various art forms of Himachal Pradesh reflect its rich culture and heritage. The people in this state preserve their traditional and social art forms through paintings, architecture, dance and music. You can get a sneak peek at the diversity and cultural heritage of the state with our Himachal Pradesh tour packages. With these customizable tour packages, you can enjoy the tour and explore the tourist attractions of your choice. Contact our travel experts for more information and book a tour with us!
An amalgamation of various cultures in Himachal Pradesh gives tourists a chance to explore its ethnic diversity. There is a strong Tibetan influence in the visual and performing arts in regions like Lahaul and Spiti, where most people are Buddhist. In Himachal Pradesh, music and dance form an integral part of celebrating any social occasion.
Music in Himachal Pradesh
Folk music and dance make religious festivals and social gatherings special. Religion has a strong influence on the people of Himachal Pradesh. During weddings, Ainchaliyan is played at the bride’s house. It is a form of religious folk song that is mostly vocal and sung without any musical accompaniment. In temples, devotees sing Karak songs in honor of the deities.
There are also ritual folk songs like Dholru and Soohadiyan. The women sing Soohadiyan to celebrate childbirth. Dholru is a seasonal song popular among the farmers during the harvest season. The popular love songs of Jhoori, Mohana and Gangi speak volumes about the changing culture of Himachal Pradesh. These songs are a blend of the traditional and modern.
Another striking feature of these love songs is the extensive use of musical instruments such as the drums, nagara, and shehnai. Apart from these, musicians also use string and wind instruments. In addition, traveling musicians in Chamba play the tambourine.
Dances of Himachal Pradesh
- Dance is an indispensable part of social life in Himachal Pradesh. The regional dance forms make this state unique for tourists who are eager to explore its art and culture. Kullu, Kinnaur, Chamba, Lahaul Spiti, and Sirmaur have performances on every special occasion.
- The Kinnauris perform the Kinnaur dance form during the Tibetan New Year. They also welcome the autumn season with Namagen.
- Chamba has the legendary Dangi dance performed in the Chhatrari village. Sikri performances during the Suhai Fair every year attract tourists.
- The specialty of the Sirmaur dance lies in its Gee Dance, performed during the festival of Lohri. There is a unique custom of only girls born in the village to participate in the dance troop. After marriage, women who have come to Sirmaur from other parts of the country cannot take part.
- Nati is performed in 13 different styles, mostly in Kullu district.
Other prominent dance forms in Himachal Pradesh are:
- Mala Dance
- Demon Dance
- Dalshone and Cholamba Dances
- Nagas Kayang
- Jataru Kayang
- Shan and Shabu Dances
Paintings of Himachal Pradesh
The miniature paintings of Himachal Pradesh have received praise from domestic and global tourists. Popularly known as the Pahari painting, it depicts the lives of Radha and Krishna. In their contemporary form, these miniature paintings also depict flora and fauna of the state. Local artists also preserve the famous Kangra and Chamba School of Painting and the Buddhist Gompa style.
Handloom of Himachal Pradesh
There are Central Asian and Rajputana influences in the handloom of Himachal Pradesh. The Tibetan refugees have also brought their culture to the state. You can buy Tibetan handloom from the Tibetan markets in Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and McLeodganj. Check out the timeless thangkas (embroidered and painted silk canvases).
Handloom Products – Shawls, woolen garments, carpets, blankets, caps, handkerchiefs, and bedsheets
Raw Materials – Wool is obtained from migratory mountain goats, angora rabbits, and sheep bred on farms in Kinnaur, Chamba, Mandi, and Hamirpur districts. Fine oak Tasar and mulberry silk are obtained from silk farms in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Sirmaur, and Una districts. Chemical and vegetable dyes are used to dye threads in various colors.
Interesting feature – The Chamba rumal (handkerchief) embroidery on silk and muslin is an interesting feature of the Himachali craft. Designs depict the lives of Hindu gods such as Krishna and Shiva. The rumal is traditionally used during weddings. Most interesting is that you will not find any knots in the satin embroidery.
Woodwork of Himachal Pradesh
The people of Himachal Pradesh are involved in both basketry and woodwork. Their carved designs are Rajasthani in style with Mughal influences. You can buy them in Lakkar Bazaar in Shimla. If you go to any Tibetan markets, you will find Tibetan-style woodwork.
Wooden Products – Baskets, trays, utensils, boxes, sticks, toys, and statues.
Raw Materials – Wood from pine, birch, mulberry, horse chestnut, and walnut trees are used. Additionally, bamboo stems and leaves are used for weaving baskets, trays and other household products.
Interesting feature – You can see artistic carvings on the wooden doors and walls of temples and monuments in Himachal Pradesh. Check out Viceregal Lodge in Shimla, Chini Vishnu temple in Kalpa, and other temples in Shimla, Kinnaur, Chamba, Sarahan, and Brahma.
Metal work of Himachal Pradesh
The Dharamshala, Shimla, and Chamba museums display a wide range of ancient metalwork of Himachal Pradesh. You will find a Tibetan influence in the metal statues and a Rajput influence in the jewelry designs.
Metal Products – Teapots, bowls, doorknobs, statues, lamps, musical instruments, smoking pipes, and jewelry
Raw materials – Copper, brass, bell metal, tin, iron, silver and gold
Interesting feature – The metal jewelry of Himachal Pradesh is in demand worldwide.
Leather and stonework are other crafts of Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal Pradesh Tour Packages
Things To Do in Himachal Pradesh
- Himachal Pradesh Tour Packages
- Chail Tourism
- Best Time to Visit Himachal Pradesh
- How to Reach Himachal Pradesh
- Things to do in Chail
- Chamba Tourism
- Things to Do in Chamba
- Dalhousie Tourism
- Eating Out in Dalhousie
- Shopping in Dalhousie
- Weekend Getaways from Dalhousie
- Dharamshala Tourism
- Shopping in Dharamsala
- Fairs and Festivals in Himachal Pradesh
- Festival of Sair in Shimla
- Losar Festival Himachal Pradesh
- Minjar Fair, Himachal Pradesh
- Dusshera Festival in Kullu
- Ice Skating Carnival in Shimla
- Shimla Summer festival
- Hamirpur Tourism
- Himachal Pradesh Tourism
- Arts of Himachal Pradesh
- Nati Folk Dance Himachal Pradesh
- Cities in Himachal Pradesh
- Climate in Himachal Pradesh
- Crafts of Himachal Pradesh
- Shawls and Woolen Garments
- Wood Crafts in Himachal Pradesh
- Cuisine of Himachal Pradesh
- Culture of Himachal Pradesh
- History of Himachal Pradesh
- Restaurants in Himachal Pradesh
- Shopping in Himachal Pradesh
- Kalpa Tourism
- Things to do in Kalpa
- Kangra Tourism
- Kasauli Tourism
- Khajjiar Tourism
- Kinnaur Tourism
- Things to do in Kinnaur
- Kufri Tourism
- Things to do in Kufri
- Kullu Manali Tourism
- Shopping in Kullu Manali
- Weekend Getaways From Kullu Manali
- Kullu Tourism
- Lahaul and Spiti Tourism
- Manali Tourism
- Manali Weather & Temperature
- Mandi Tourism
- Things to do in Mandi
- Nahan Tourism
- Things to do in Nahan
- Nalagarh Tourism
- Things to do in Nalagarh
- Palampur Tourism
- Things to do in Palampur
- Parwanoo Tourism
- Pragpur Tourism
- Rohtang Pass Tourism
- Shimla Tourism
- Eating out in Shimla
- Shopping in Shimla
- Himachal Emporium Shimla
- Lakkar Bazaar in Shimla
- Mall Road Shimla
- Ridge Road Shimla
- Tibetan Market in Shimla
- Snowfall in Shimla
- Shimla Weather & Temperature
- Weekend Getaways from Shimla
- Solan Tourism
- Spiti Tourism
- Chamera Lake, Dalhousie
- Dainkund Peak
- Gandhi Chowk Shopping Plaza in Dalhousie
- Ganji Pahari
- Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary in Dalhousie
- Panchpula in Dalhousie
- Rock Garden, Dalhousie
- Sach Pass, Dalhousie
- Satdhara Falls, Dalhousie
- St. John’s Church in Dalhousie
- Bhagsunag Waterfall
- Cricket Stadium Dharamshala
- Dalai Lama Temple in Dharamshala
- Kalachakra Temple in Dharamshala
- Namgyal Monastery in Dharamshala
- Nearby Places in Dharamshala
- St. John Church in Dharamshala
- Tse Choklilng Gompa in McLeodganj
- Tourist Attraction in Himachal Pradesh
- Adventure Sports Activities in Himachal Pradesh
- Angling & Fishing in Himachal Pradesh
- Camping in Himachal Pradesh
- Heli-Skiing in Himachal Pradesh
- Himalayan Motor Sport Himachal Pradesh
- Mountain Cycling in Himachal Pradesh
- Mountaineering & Rock Climbing
- Paragliding in Himachal Pradesh
- Trekking in Himachal Pradesh
- Vehicle Safaris in Himachal Pradesh
- Water Sports in Himachal Pradesh
- Buddhist Monasteries in Himachal Pradesh
- Gurudwaras in Himachal Pradesh
- Manikaran Gurudwara Manali
- Paonta Sahib Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh
- Gurudwara Rewalsar Himachal Pradesh
- Hill Stations in Himachal Pradesh
- Chail Hill Station
- Chamba Hill Station
- Dalhousie Hill Station
- Dharamsala Hill Station
- Kasauli Hill Stations
- Khajjiar Hill Station
- Kufri Hill Station
- Manali Hill Station
- Mashobra Hill Station Himachal Pradesh
- Parwanoo Hill Station
- Shimla Hill Station
- Lakes in Himachal Pradesh
- Bhrigu Lake Kullu
- Chamera Lake Dalhousie
- Chandratal Lake Spiti
- Dal Lake Kangra
- Dashir Lake Manali
- Gobind Sagar Lake Una, Himachal Pradesh
- Khajjiar Lake
- Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake Kangra
- Manimahesh Lake Himachal Pradesh
- Nako Lake Kinnaur
- Prashar Lake Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
- Renuka Lake Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh
- Rewalsar Lake Mandi
- Serolsar Lake Kullu
- Suraj Tal Lake Lahaul Spiti
- Pilgrimage Destinations in Himachal Pradesh
- Temples in Himachal Pradesh
- Baba Balak Nath Temple Hamirpur
- Baijnath Temple Kangra
- Bajreshwari Temple Kangra
- Bijli Mahadev Temple Kullu
- Chamunda Devi Temple Himachal Pradesh
- Chattari Temple Chamba, Himachal Pradesh
- Chaurasi Temple Chamba
- Chintpurni Temple Una, Himachal Pradesh
- Dhankar Monastery Lahaul Spiti
- Guru Ghantal Monastery Lahaul Spiti
- Hanogi Mata Temple Kullu
- Hatkoti Durga Temple Shimla
- Jakhu and Sankat Mochan Shimla Himachal Pradesh
- Jwala Devi Temple Kangra
- Kardang Monastery Lahaul & Spiti Valley
- Kungri Gompa Lahaul & Spiti Valley
- Kye Monastery Spiti
- Lakshmi Narayan Temple Chamba
- Temples in Mandi Himachal Pradesh
- Naina Devi Temple Bilaspur
- Nako Monastery Manali
- Parashar Temple Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
- Raghunath Ji Temple Kullu
- Renuka Temple Nahan, Himachal Pradesh
- Rewalsar Temples Mandi
- Rewalsar Monastery Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
- Shashur Monastery Lahaul & Spiti Valley
- Shikari Devi Temple Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
- Tabo Monastery Spiti Valley
- Tashigang Gompa in Spiti
- Tayul Gompa Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh
- Thang Yug Gompa Lahaul & Spiti
- Tilasangh Monastery Kaa, Himachal Pradeh
- Trilokpur Temple Nahan, Himachal Pradesh
- Wildlife in Himachal Pradesh
- Tourist Attractions in Khajjiar
- Tourist Attractions in Kullu Manali
- Adventure Sports in Kullu
- Camping in Kullu
- Mountaineering in Kullu
- River Rafting in Kullu
- Trekking in Kullu
- Religious Places in Kullu
- Bijli Mahadev Temple in Kullu
- Raghunath Temple in Kullu
- Adventure Sports in Manali
- Paragliding in Manali
- River Rafting in Manali
- Skiing in Manali
- Trekking in Manali
- Zorbing in Manali
- Nearby Places to Manali
- Gulaba
- Kothi
- Naggar Castle
- Rohtang Pass
- Solang Valley
- Religious Places in Manali
- Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali
- Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa
- Manali Gompa
- Manikaran Gurudwara Manali
- Manu Temple in Manali
- Vashisht Temple in Manali
- Waterfalls in Manali
- Jana waterfall in Manali
- Rahala Waterfall in Manali
- Rozy Waterfall in Manali
- Adventure Sports in Shimla
- Fishing in Shimla
- Golfing in Shimla
- Ice Skating in Shimla
- Skiing in Shimla
- Chadwick Falls
- Historical Places in Shimla
- Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex
- Indian Institute of Advanced Study
- Scandal Point Shimla
- Shimla State Museum
- Jakhoo Ropeway in Shimla
- Religious Places in Shimla
- Bhimakali Temple
- Christ Church Shimla
- Jakhu Temple Shimla
- Kali Bari Temple Shimla
- Sankat Mochan Temple Shimla
- Tara Devi Temple in Shimla
- Summer Hill in Shimla
- Toy Train in Shimla
- Viceregal Lodge, Shimla
- Places to Visit in Spiti
- Places to Visit around Kaza
- Places to Visit in Dhankar
- Gramphu to Kaza
- Hikkim
- Kaza in Lauhaul & Spiti
- Kibber
- Komic Village Spiti
- Langza Village Spiti
- Lhalung in Spiti
- Tabo to Sumdo
- Tabo in Spiti
- Lakes in Spiti
- Chandratal Lake
- Dhankar Lake Spiti
- Suraj Tal Spiti
- Monasteries in Spiti
- Dhankar Gompa Spiti
- Key Monastery Spiti
- Lhalung Monastery Spiti
- Tabo Monastery Spiti
- Ugyen Sangnak Choling Gompa, Spiti
- Una Tourism