Editing Himachal Pradesh (section)

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Himachal Pradesh}}

Himachal Pradesh was one of the few states that had remained largely untouched by external customs, largely due to its difficult terrain. With remarkable economic and social advancements, the state has changed rapidly.<ref name="HPS2">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2015/01/28/himachal-pradesh-secrets-of-success |title=Himachal Pradesh: Secrets of Success |publisher=[[World Bank]] |date=28 January 2015|access-date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419183745/http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2015/01/28/himachal-pradesh-secrets-of-success|archive-date=19 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Himachal Pradesh is a multilingual state like other Indian states. [[Western Pahari]] languages also known as Himachali languages are widely spoken in the state. Some of the most commonly spoken Pahadi lects are [[Kangri language|Kangri]], [[Mandeali|Mandyali]], [[Kullu language|Kullvi]], [[Chambeali language|Chambeali]], [[Bharmauri language|Bharmauri]] and [[Kinnauri language|Kinnauri]].<ref name=dem2>{{cite web |url=http://123himachal.com/himachal/info.htm |title=The people and tribes|access-date = 20 May 2007 |publisher=www.123himachal.com|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110725003908/http://123himachal.com/himachal/info.htm|archive-date = 25 July 2011|url-status = live }}</ref>

{{multiple image
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| image1 = Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana at the Hermitage of Bharadvaja Page from a dispersed Ramayana (Story of King Rama), ca. 1780.jpg
| caption1 = [[Kangra painting]] depicting a scene from the [[Ramayana]], ca. 1780
| image2 = Facade of Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour (edited).jpg
| caption2 = Intricate wood carvings of 7-century [[Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour|Lakshana Devi Temple]] in [[Bharmour]]
}}
Himachal is well known for its handicrafts. The carpets, leather works, [[Kullu shawl]]s, [[Kangra painting]]s, [[Chamba Rumal]]s, [[Shawl#stole|stoles]], embroidered grass footwear (''Pullan chappal''), silver jewellery, metal ware, knitted woolen socks, ''Pattoo'', basketry of cane and bamboo (''Wicker'' and ''Rattan'') and woodwork are among the notable ones.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.craftscouncilofindia.org/indian-crafts-map/himachal-pradesh/ |title=Indian Crafts Map: Himachal Pradesh |website=Crafts Council of India|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417023642/https://www.craftscouncilofindia.org/indian-crafts-map/himachal-pradesh/|archive-date=17 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NISCAIR">{{cite web |url=http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/569/1/IJTK%207%281%29%20%282008%29%2056-61.pdf |title=Traditional handicrafts and handloom of Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh |author1=Neetu Sharma |author2=Promila Kanwar |author3=Anju Rekha|access-date=16 April 2018 |publisher=NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010141650/http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/569/1/IJTK%207(1)%20(2008)%2056-61.pdf|archive-date=10 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Himcrafts: H.P State Handicrafts and Handloom Corp. Ltd, Shimla |url=http://www.himcrafts.com/ |website=Himcrafts|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417023455/http://www.himcrafts.com/|archive-date=17 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Of late, the demand for these handicrafts has increased within and outside the country.<ref name="NISCAIR" />

Himachali caps of various colour bands are also well-known local art work, and are often treated as a symbol of the Himachali identity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.himvani.com/47431/himachali-cap-culture-legacy-heritage/ |publisher=Himvani |date=3 February 2018 |author=Shruti Verma|access-date=12 March 2018 |title=The Himachali cap: Culture, legacy and heritage|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312173701/http://www.himvani.com/47431/himachali-cap-culture-legacy-heritage/|archive-date=12 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The colour of the Himachali caps has been an indicator of political loyalties in the hill state for a long period of time with [[Indian National Congress|Congress party]] leaders like [[Virbhadra Singh]] donning caps with green band and the rival [[BJP]] leader [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]] wearing a cap with maroon band.<ref name="caphp">{{cite news |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/cap-likely-cap-politics-himachal-pradesh-1502563887.html |title=Cap likely on 'cap politics' in Himachal Pradesh |author=Archana Phull |newspaper=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]] |date=14 January 2018|access-date=12 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313092147/https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/cap-likely-cap-politics-himachal-pradesh-1502563887.html|archive-date=13 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-s-cap-in-israel-takes-political-hue-in-himachal/story-JJH2Dk9H1LQ1xPF2m3hFiM.html |title=PM Modi's cap in Israel takes political hue in Himachal |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=6 July 2017 |author=Gaurav Bisht|access-date=12 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313092408/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-s-cap-in-israel-takes-political-hue-in-himachal/story-JJH2Dk9H1LQ1xPF2m3hFiM.html|archive-date=13 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The former has served six terms as the [[Chief Minister (India)|Chief Minister]] of the state while the latter is a two-time Chief Minister.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/prem-kumar-dhumalvirbhadra-singh-tale-of-two-captains-their-wins-and-losses/articleshow/62122764.cms |title=Prem Kumar Dhumal, Virbhadra Singh: Tale of two captains, their wins and losses |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |author=PTI |date=18 December 2017|access-date=12 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313032814/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/prem-kumar-dhumalvirbhadra-singh-tale-of-two-captains-their-wins-and-losses/articleshow/62122764.cms|archive-date=13 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Local music and dance also reflect the cultural identity of the state. Through their dance and music, the Himachali people entreat their gods during local festivals and other special occasions.<ref name="MOI1" />
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Kinnauri Nati dance.jpg
| caption1 = Kinnauri [[Nati (dance)|Nati]] performance
| image2 = Gaddi shepherds having a good time (16260304116).jpg
| caption2 = [[Gaddi people|Gaddi]] nomads smoking [[hookah]]
}}

There are national and regional fairs and festivals, including temple fairs in nearly every region.<ref name="MOI1">{{cite web |url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/himachal-pradesh/fair-festivals-and-events.html |title=Fair Festivals and Events of Himachal Pradesh |website=Maps of India|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417024222/https://www.mapsofindia.com/himachal-pradesh/fair-festivals-and-events.html|archive-date=17 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="KULF">{{cite web |url=http://www.himachaltourism.org/fairs-festivals-of-himachal.html |title=Fairs & Festivals of Himachal |website=Himachal Tourism|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417023703/http://www.himachaltourism.org/fairs-festivals-of-himachal.html|archive-date=17 April 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Kullu Dussehra|Kullu Dussehra, Minjar mela and Mahashivratri Mandi]] festival is nationally known.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.himachaltourism.org/kullu-dussehra-kullu.html |title=Kullu Dussehra, Kullu |website=Himachal Tourism|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417023143/http://www.himachaltourism.org/kullu-dussehra-kullu.html|archive-date=17 April 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The day-to-day cuisine of ''Himachalis'' is similar to the rest of northern India with [[Punjabi cuisine|Punjabi]] and [[Tibetan cuisine|Tibetan]] influences.<ref name="MOI">{{cite web |url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/himachal-pradesh/food.html |title=Himachal Pradesh Food and Cuisine |website=Maps of India|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417024123/https://www.mapsofindia.com/himachal-pradesh/food.html|archive-date=17 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Lentil]]s (''Dāl''), [[rice]] ({{lang|hi|chāwal}} or {{lang|hi|bhāț}}), [[vegetable]]s ({{lang|hi|sabzī}}) and [[chapati]] (wheat flatbread) form the staple food of the local population.<ref name="MOI" /> Non-vegetarian food is more widely accepted in Himachal Pradesh than elsewhere in India, partly due to the scarcity of fresh vegetables on the hilly terrain of the state.<ref name="HPfood">{{cite web |url=https://food.ndtv.com/lists/himachal-pradesh-food-10-best-recipes-1442434 |title=Himachal Pradesh Food: 10 Best Recipes |publisher=[[NDTV]] |author=NDTV Food |date=10 August 2016|access-date=12 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313031615/https://food.ndtv.com/lists/himachal-pradesh-food-10-best-recipes-1442434|archive-date=13 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Himachali specialities include Siddu, Babru, Khatta, Mhanee, Channa Madra, Patrode,  Mah ki dal, Chamba-style fried fish, Kullu trout, Chha Gosht, Pahadi Chicken, Sepu Badi, Auriya Kaddu, Aloo palda, Pateer, [[Makki di roti]], [[Sarson ka saag]], [[Chamba Chukh]] (Chouck), Bhagjery, [[Chutney]] of Til, etc.

=== Notable people ===
{{Main|List of people from Himachal Pradesh}}