Intangible heritage
Community practices and knowledge on UNESCO’s Representative List.
Contains all 45 Indian properties on UNESCO’s World Heritage List at review, all 16 Representative List elements, and all 22 Eighth Schedule languages. These lists are distinct from India’s much wider cultural heritage and living languages.
Explore this topic in the interactive atlas →Kutiyattam
Sanskrit theatre tradition
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Vedic chanting
Oral transmission tradition
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Ramlila
Traditional performance of the Ramayana
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Ramman
Ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Chhau dance
Dance traditions from eastern India
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Kalbelia
Rajasthan’s songs and dances
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Mudiyettu
Kerala’s ritual theatre and dance drama
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Buddhist chanting of Ladakh
Recitation of Buddhist sacred texts
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Sankirtana of Manipur
Ritual singing, drumming and dancing
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Thatheras of Jandiala Guru
Traditional brass and copper utensil craft
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Yoga
A living practice and knowledge tradition
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Nowruz
A multinational spring festival inscription
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Kumbh Mela
A large pilgrimage and cultural gathering
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Durga Puja in Kolkata
A community festival with artistic traditions
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Garba of Gujarat
A ritual and devotional dance tradition
UNESCO · India intangible heritage ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Deepavali
Festival of lights; inscribed in 2025
UNESCO · Deepavali ↗- An inscription recognises a living practice and its safeguarding; it is distinct from a World Heritage property.
Sources and scope ▼
Recorded chapter review: . Check the linked sources for subsequent changes.