Himachal Pradesh Handicrafts

Wood Carving 

Painting

Thangkas

Rugs & Carpets

Garments & Accessories

Embroidery

Shawls

Leather Craft

Jewellery

Metalwork

Stonework

Being rich in forests, wood is abundant in Himachal Pradesh and so woodcarving is still a living tradition of the state. Earlier this craft was mostly used in building temples and palaces. However, at present artisans creates intricate designs used in building houses, and also for making other things like low benches, spinning wheels, smoking pipe, cradles, low settees, boxes, serving spoon, rolling pins, wooden utensils, and much more. Moreover, other interesting things like fruit bowls, beer mugs, wooden jewellery, decorative boxes and carved images can also be found carved out of wood.

Like most other states in India, Himachal Pradesh is also rich in traditional paintings. You can see the miniature paintings in art galleries and museums in Himachal, but the true picture of the traditional paintings can be seen in most village houses. The women of the house paint their floors and walls. Moreover, they draw illustrative designs called yantras on the doorstep on ceremonial occasions. The floors are decorated with a white paste made of rice, whereas the walls are painted with colors, which they collect from daily used things such as turmeric powder, red clay, kumkum (a liquid used for make up) and so on.

Thangkas are brightly coloured cloth paintings, which are mostly used as ritual paintings exhibited during some Buddhist festivals. International tourists love these paintings. They generally depict lord Buddha and other deities as well as the wheel of life.

Rugs, Carpets are significant part of furnishing in Himachal Pradesh. Available in brilliant colors and traditional motifs these items look amazingly beautiful in appearance. 

Moreover, Blankets made with wool weaved out of sheep and goats are also available in plenty.

Garments & Accessories used by People of Himachal are very colorful. Their traditional attire is bedecked with delicate embroidery with circular and linear patterns. They are also fond of all sorts of accessories like colorful scarves, bangles, rings, hand knit woollen socks, gloves, mufflers, caps and grass shoes.

Women in Himachal like to pass their time in the afternoon by working on embroidery work with needle and thread. They make beautiful pieces of clothing like scarves, coverlets, handfans, caps, cholis (bodices), gaumukhi (prayer gloves) and so on. The richly embroidered colorful silk rumals (scarves) of Chamba have traditionally been made since the last 1000 years. Himachali women use these small shawls as head coverings.

Like Kashmir, Himachal also produces fine and precious Shawls, which are in high demand by tourists from all over the world. These shawls are weaved in the cottage industries of Himachal and are available in plain and patterned.

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Leather craft is another significant craft of the state. The traditional chappals (slippers) of Chamba are not only beautiful but very comfortable as well. They are embroidered with colorful threads and at times with Zari (golden thread). You will also find a range of shoes, sandals, socks and belts.

Jewellery of Himachal Pradesh consists of beads and metals, which are worn by the local people with their traditional attire. These include pendants, necklaces, rings and so on

The metals used in metalwork or metal carving are brass, copper, iron, tin and bell metal. These are used to make exquisite statuettes, lamps, incense burners, low settees of silver or brass, vessels and musical instruments mostly used in temples. Moreover, some objects are also made for daily use at home.

Stone carving is another such craft, which was mostly used for temples in the early days. You can see splendid samples of the stone carving in various temples in Himachal.