Durga Puja which is a much loved festival especially in the eastern part of India and is celebrated with full pomp and enthusiasm for a period of five days is right around the corner

In 2021, the UNESCO listed the Durga Puja in Kolkata in its intangible cultural heritage list.

Besides the festival that celebrates the homecoming of the Mother Goddess Durga, there are also twelve other unique events or arts of India that are included in the intangible cultural heritage list

These beautiful cultural events or arts can be deeply enjoyed mentally as its uniqueness has the capability to enhance the moods of every onlooker

Tradition of Vedic Chanting

The verses of the Vedas are traditionally chanted by the practitioners only after they have learnt the complex recitation techniques perfectly from childhood

Ramlila

Rama’s play or Ramlila is a performance from India’s ancient epic Ramayana and the series of scenes include song, narration, recital and dialogue

Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre

One of India’s oldest living theatrical traditions, Kutiyattam which originated over 2000 years ago represents a synthesis of Sanskrit classicism and reflects the local traditions of Kerala

Ramman

A religious festival of Uttarakhand’s Saloor-Dungra villages, Ramman is marked in honour of the tutelary god, Bhumiyal Devta, a local divinity whose temple houses most of the festivities

Mudiyettu

Kerala’s ritual dance drama Mudiyettu is based on the mythological tale of a battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika

Kalbelia folk songs and dances

Rajasthan’s Kalbelia community who once used to be professional snake holders today evoke their former occupation in their unique style of music and dance

Chhau

A dance form originating in eastern India, Chhau enacts episodes from epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana, local folklore and abstract themes

Buddhist chanting of Ladakh

Buddhist lamas chants sacred texts in the monastaries of Ladakh that represents the spirit, philosophy and teachings of the Buddha

Sankirtana

A unique art of Manipur, Sankirtana is performed to mark religious occasions and various stages in the life of the Vaishnava people of the state

Utensil making of Thatheras

The Thateras, who are a community of people from Punjab’s town of Jandiala Guru, has a highly special and skilful way of manufacturing brass and copper utensils

Yoga

A much celebrated form of exercise of India, Yoga plays an important role in unifying the mind with the body and soul to allow for greater mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing

Nawrouz

The Persian New Year is celebrated with much enthusiasm in India too with a variety of rituals, ceremonies and other cultural events that traditionally take place for a period of about two weeks

Kumbh Mela

A famous religious fair of India, it is celebrated in a cycle of approximately 12 years and devotees take a bathe in a sacred river for receiving blessings and cleansing themselves of former sins