Living Heritages of India

From the mist-covered hills of the north to the shifting waters of the Sundarbans delta, West Bengal unfolds as a vibrant cultural landscape shaped by diversity and living traditions. Birbhum, Nadia, and Purba Bardhaman region echoes with the soulful, philosophical melodies of Baul music inscribed in UNESCO representative list. Learn about GI registered products like Kantha embroidery at Nanoor and Ausgram, Dhokra at Bikna and Dariyapur, Chhau mask at Charida, Wooden mask at Kushmandi, Patachitra scrolls in Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Birbhum, Bankura and Purulia. The dynamic, masked movements of Purulia Chhau (also inscribed by UNESCO) bring myth and legend to life, while natural fibre crafts reflect enduring relationships with land and material. Ghugumari is hub of another UNESCO inscribed ICH - Sitalpati (Bangladesh).

Maharashtra’s cultural destinations offer immersive journeys into living heritage, where landscapes, communities, and creative traditions come together to shape authentic travel experiences. Palghar stands out for its rich Indigenous cultures and art forms, including GI registered Warli painting, bamboo craft, and Bohada mask-making, rooted in the everyday lives of Warli, Thakar, and Kokna communities. From forested interiors and historic forts to coastal villages, Chikoo orchards (GI registered), and Parsi heritage, Palghar is animated by vibrant folk songs and dance traditions that continue to thrive across villages. In Nashik, the tribal region of Surgana, nestled in the UNESCO-recognised Western Ghats, offers a dramatic natural setting alongside living traditions such as Bohada mask-making, a rich array of folk music and dance, the historic Maratha Forts (inscribed as World Heritage), Sakhalchond waterfall, and the Tatapani hot spring, making it a distinctive cultural tourism destination.

Odisha offers a vibrant journey through living indigenous cultures, sacred architecture, and timeless crafts. Experience the untamed flavour of tribal India, spend a day connecting with nature, rituals, forgotten flavours, and the unbridled joy of indigenous communities. Across the Eastern Ghats, Odisha’s villages offer an immersive experience of culture, ecology, and heritage .Breathe in misty air, explore lush valleys, and witness gentle streams cascading down cliffs, creating mesmerizing waterfalls that harmonize with the rhythms of indigenous life.

Jharkhand welcomes travellers into a living landscape of tribal heritage, where time-honoured traditions continue to shape everyday life, identity, and collective memory. Its forested terrains and indigenous communities nurture vibrant cultural practices, with knowledge deeply rooted in nature and ritual. Seraikela- Kharsawan stands out as the only district where visitors can experience multiple variants of Chhau - Manbhum Chhau, Seraikela Chhau, and Kharsawan Chhau - within a single cultural region. Alongside these performance traditions, natural fibre crafts such as Sabai and Kashi grass weaving and finely crafted bamboo basketry reflect a way of life grounded in ecological balance and shared artistry. Embedded within tribal villages and cultural centres, Jharkhand’s living traditions invite visitors to witness heritage as it is performed, practised, and passed on across generations.

Rajasthan invites travellers into a vivid world of living culture,. We welcome you to the desert regions in the west and enjoy forts and palaces along with Manganiyar music, Pokaran pottery at Jaisalmer, Kalbelia dance, handwoven durries, Langa and Manganiyar music, Mir music of Bikaner, leather juttis, kasidakari, appliqué and embroidery at Barmer. Set amid artist villages around Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Barmer, and Bikaner, the region resonates with globally celebrated folk traditions- most notably the iconic Kalbelia dance, inscribed on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity- offering immersive, community-led experiences where heritage is actively lived and shared.

Nagaland invites travellers into a landscape shaped by rolling mountains, forested valleys, and the vibrant tribal heritage of its 17 indigenous Naga communities. Deeply connected to their natural surroundings, these communities express their identity through exquisite weaving, basketry, vernacular architecture, folk arts, music, and dance. Striking traditional attire, symbolic textiles, and distinctive culinary practices reflect stories of resilience and ancestral wisdom. The iconic Hornbill Festival, often called the “Festival of Festivals,” brings together Naga tribes in a grand celebration of culture, unity, and tradition- offering visitors a powerful glimpse into a living legacy rooted in land and community.

Arunachal Pradesh, the largest state in Northeast India, blends dramatic Himalayan landscapes with vibrant indigenous cultures. Home to 26 major tribes, it reflects a deep harmony between people and nature, where festivals, rituals, and oral traditions are rooted in forests and rivers. Sacred sites like Parashuram Kund and Malinithan Temple add spiritual and mythological depth. For travellers, the state offers not just scenic beauty, but an immersive experience of sustainable living and enduring cultural heritage.