“Bihu is a dance of which state?” “Hornbill Festival is celebrated in?” Art and culture questions are short and scoring. This page lists the folk dances and festivals of every state, plus the classical dances.
Classical dances of India
The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognises 8 classical dances. The Ministry of Culture also lists Chhau, which makes 9 in some books.
| Classical dance | State |
|---|---|
| Bharatanatyam | Tamil Nadu |
| Kathak | Uttar Pradesh (north India) |
| Kathakali | Keralam (Kerala) |
| Mohiniyattam | Keralam (Kerala) |
| Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh |
| Odissi | Odisha |
| Manipuri | Manipur |
| Sattriya | Assam (added in 2000) |
Kerala is the only state with two classical dances (Kathakali and Mohiniyattam).
State-wise folk dances and festivals
| State/UT | Folk dances | Major festivals |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Kolattam, Butta Bommalu, Dhimsa | Ugadi, Sankranti |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Bardo Chham, Ponung, Aji Lamu | Losar, Solung, Dree, Ziro Music Festival |
| Assam | Bihu, Bagurumba (Bodo), Ojapali, Jhumur | Bihu (three), Ambubachi Mela (Kamakhya) |
| Bihar | Jat-Jatin, Jhijhiya, Bidesia | Chhath, Sonepur Mela |
| Chhattisgarh | Panthi, Raut Nacha, Karma, Suwa | Bastar Dussehra, Hareli |
| Goa | Dekhni, Fugdi, Dhalo | Carnival, Shigmo |
| Gujarat | Garba, Dandiya Raas, Tippani | Navratri, Rann Utsav, Uttarayan (kite festival) |
| Haryana | Phag, Jhumar, Ghoomar | Teej, Surajkund Crafts Mela |
| Himachal Pradesh | Nati, Kayang | Kullu Dussehra, Minjar Mela |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Rouf, Dumhal | Hemis (Ladakh), Navroz |
| Jharkhand | Chhau (Seraikela), Karma, Jhumair | Sarhul, Karma, Sohrai |
| Karnataka | Yakshagana, Dollu Kunitha, Huttari | Mysuru Dasara, Ugadi, Hampi Utsav |
| Keralam (Kerala) | Theyyam, Ottamthullal, Thiruvathirakali | Onam, Thrissur Pooram, Vishu |
| Madhya Pradesh | Matki, Tertali, Jawara | Khajuraho Dance Festival, Bhagoria |
| Maharashtra | Lavani, Koli, Tamasha | Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Padwa |
| Manipur | Thang-Ta (martial), Lai Haraoba, Pung Cholom | Sangai Festival, Yaoshang |
| Meghalaya | Shad Suk Mynsiem, Nongkrem, Wangala | Wangala (Garo harvest), Behdienkhlam |
| Mizoram | Cheraw (bamboo dance) | Chapchar Kut |
| Nagaland | Chang Lo, Zeliang | Hornbill Festival (1–10 December), Sekrenyi, Moatsu |
| Odisha | Gotipua, Chhau (Mayurbhanj), Dalkhai, Ghumura | Rath Yatra (Puri), Nuakhai |
| Punjab | Bhangra, Giddha | Baisakhi, Lohri |
| Rajasthan | Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Chari, Kachhi Ghodi, Terah Taali | Pushkar Fair, Desert Festival, Gangaur |
| Sikkim | Singhi Chham (snow lion dance), Maruni | Losar, Saga Dawa |
| Tamil Nadu | Karagattam, Kummi, Kavadi, Oyilattam | Pongal, Jallikattu |
| Telangana | Perini Shivatandavam, Lambadi | Bathukamma, Bonalu |
| Tripura | Hojagiri | Kharchi Puja |
| Uttar Pradesh | Raslila, Nautanki, Charkula, Kajri | Kumbh Mela, Dev Deepawali (Varanasi) |
| Uttarakhand | Chholiya, Langvir Nritya | Kumbh (Haridwar), Phool Dei |
| West Bengal | Gambhira, Chhau (Purulia), Baul (song) | Durga Puja |
A dance or festival is often shared by neighbouring states (for example, Chhau is found in Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal). Exams usually ask the state it is best known for.
The three Bihus of Assam
| Bihu | Month | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Rongali / Bohag Bihu | April | Assamese New Year, spring |
| Kongali / Kati Bihu | October | Lighting lamps in paddy fields |
| Bhogali / Magh Bihu | January | Harvest and feasting |
Indian traditions on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list (selected)
| Element | Year |
|---|---|
| Koodiyattam (Sanskrit theatre, Kerala) | 2008 |
| Ramlila | 2008 |
| Chhau dance | 2010 |
| Kalbelia folk songs and dances (Rajasthan) | 2010 |
| Mudiyettu (Kerala) | 2010 |
| Sankirtana (Manipur) | 2013 |
| Yoga | 2016 |
| Kumbh Mela | 2017 |
| Durga Puja in Kolkata | 2021 |
| Garba of Gujarat | 2023 |
| Deepavali | 2025 |
India has about 16 elements on the list (approx).
Memory tips
- “Garba–Gujarat, Ghoomar–Rajasthan, Giddha–Punjab”: the three Gs, west to north.
- Hornbill = Nagaland; Sangai = Manipur; Cheraw = Mizoram; Hojagiri = Tripura; Wangala = Meghalaya.
- Chhau has three styles: Seraikela (Jharkhand), Mayurbhanj (Odisha), Purulia (West Bengal); Purulia dancers wear masks, Mayurbhanj dancers do not.
Exam-ready one-liners
- There are 8 classical dances recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
- Sattriya (Assam) was recognised as classical in 2000.
- Kerala has two classical dances: Kathakali and Mohiniyattam.
- Hornbill Festival: Nagaland, 1–10 December.
- Cheraw (bamboo dance): Mizoram; Hojagiri: Tripura.
- Lavani: Maharashtra; Yakshagana: Karnataka; Theyyam: Kerala.
- Bathukamma and Bonalu: Telangana.
- Garba (2023) and Deepavali (2025) are on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list.
Related reading
- Dances & festivals: quick revision page
- First in India: complete list
- Tiger reserves and national parks of India
- 50 static GK facts for SSC exams
Quiz: test yourself
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Dances and festivals are often shared across regions; this list follows the state most commonly cited in exam books.
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