UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage from India includes sixteen items (all are intangible cultural heritage). The latest cultural heritage included in the list is Deepavali(festival) added in 2025 and Garba, a tradition dance form from Gujarat. No examples from India were included in the "Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Protection" and "Register of Good Safeguarding Practices".
The inclusion of new heritage elements in UNESCO's lists of intangible cultural heritage is determined by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage established by the convention. In India, Ministry of Culture is charged with preservation, promotion and dissemination of culture of India.
India was added to the list for the first time in 2008 (at that time total three examples were added).
According to UNESCO, intangible cultural heritage includes holidays, festivals, performances, oral traditions, music and handicrafts were included in the list.
Nowruz or Navroz is the only object in the list which is shared by multiple countries. Navroz in India is celebrated mainly by Parsi community (Indian Zoroastrianian community).
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Representative List Name Image Year listed Type Region/state Description No. Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre 2008 Performing arts Kerala Koodiyattam or Kutiyattam is performed by Chakyar and Nangyaramma castes of Kerala. It is a performing art that dates back to Sangam era.00010 Tradition of Vedic chanting 2008 Oral literature Whole India Vedic chanting is chanting of Sanskrit mantras or pathas. It is also a part of Sanskrit or Vedic study memorization. 00062 Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana 2008 Festival Whole India (mainly North India) It is a re-enactment of God Rama's life according to Ramayana. 00110 Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas, India 2009 Festival Salur Dungra, Uttarakhand It is a festival of the Garhwali people of Salur Dungra village of Chamoli district. Not performed anywhere in the Himalayas. 00281 Chhau dance 2010 Performing arts West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha Purulia Chhau, Saraikela Chhau and Mayurbhanj Chhau are various styles of the dance.00337 Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan 2010 Performing arts Rajasthan Kalbeliya is a snake charming tribe. They perform dance on traditional music. 00340 Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala 2010 Performing arts Kerala It is a dance drama that enacts stories and tales of a battle between Kali and Darika. 00345 Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, India 2012 Oral literature Ladakh It refers to the recitation of sacred Buddhist texts mainly performed by various sects such as Kagyud, Nyngma, Geluk, and Shakya. 00839 Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur 2013 Oral literature and performance Manipur It refers to narration of Vaishnava God Krishna's story through singing, drumming and dancing. 00843 Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India 2014 Handicrafts Jandiala Guru, Punjab Thateras are artisan cast of Punjab who makes brass and copper craft utensils. 00845 Navroz + 2016 Festival Whole India Navroz in India is mainly celebrated by Parsi community. 02097 Yoga 2016 Performance Whole India Yoga is physical and spiritual practice originated in Ancient India. Every year 21 June is celebrated as International Yoga Day. 01163 Kumbh Mela 2017 Festival Cities of Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik-Trimbak and Ujjain Kumbh Mela is held every 12 year on rotation. 01258 Durga Puja in Kolkata 2021 Festival Kolkata, West Bengal It is a festival of worshipping of Goddess Durga. 00703 Garba of Gujarat 2023 Festival Gujarat It is a form of dance and performed on festivals and occasions. 01962 Deepavali 2025 Festival Whole of India It is the festival of lights symbolising victory of light over darkness. 02312
See also List of World Heritage Sites in India List of inscriptions in UNESCO Memory of the World Register from India UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists
Notes
References
External links UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Official site UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in India: Official site