Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance performed by women in which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
India is rich in folk dances that reflect the culture, clothing and music of different regions. Ghoomar is one of the best known traditional dances, often shown in films and cultural performances. This question tests whether you can correctly identify the Indian state with which the Ghoomar dance is traditionally associated.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The dance form named is Ghoomar. • It is performed by women and is famous for swirling movements and colourful skirts. • The options list Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Mizoram and Puducherry.

Concept / Approach:
Ghoomar is widely recognised as a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan. Women dancers wear vibrant ghagra cholis, cover their heads with odhnis and move in circles while performing graceful hand and foot movements. It is usually performed on festive occasions, weddings and religious events in Rajasthan. Although other states have their own popular dances, the term Ghoomar specifically points to Rajasthani folk culture, so linking the dance to Rajasthan is the central idea here.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall images or descriptions of Ghoomar, where women in long swirling skirts dance in a circle. Step 2: Connect these images with Rajasthan, a state famous for colourful attire, folk music and desert culture. Step 3: Confirm that Ghoomar is repeatedly mentioned in books and media as a Rajasthani folk dance. Step 4: Examine the options. Gujarat has Garba and Dandiya as its best known folk dances, Haryana has its own folk dances, and Mizoram and Puducherry have different local styles. Step 5: Since only Rajasthan matches directly with Ghoomar, select Rajasthan as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Cultural articles, school textbooks and documentaries on Rajasthani traditions consistently present Ghoomar as a signature dance of Rajasthan. It is sometimes performed by women of royal families and is now popular at cultural festivals representing Rajasthani heritage. No standard source labels Ghoomar as the main folk dance of Gujarat, Haryana, Mizoram or Puducherry, which confirms that Rajasthan is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gujarat: Known for Garba and Dandiya Raas, especially during Navratri, not for Ghoomar. Haryana: Has folk dances like Phag, Dhamaal and Ghumar in some areas, but the famous Ghoomar associated with swirling skirts is primarily Rajasthani. Mizoram: A north eastern state with dances such as Cheraw (bamboo dance), not Ghoomar. Puducherry: A union territory with mixed cultural influences, but Ghoomar is not its traditional dance.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse Ghoomar with vaguely similar sounding names in other states or assume that any circular group dance must be Gujarati. Others may have heard that a variation of Ghoomar is also performed in neighbouring regions and then wrongly assign it to another state. To answer accurately, focus on the most widely accepted association: Ghoomar is the classic folk dance of Rajasthan and is commonly used to represent Rajasthani culture as a whole.

Final Answer:
Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan.