Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of India’s most significant festivals, symbolising the victory of good over evil. Celebrated in different forms across the country, the festival reflects India’s cultural diversity, religious traditions and community participation. In 2026, Dussehra falls on 20 October. Beyond its religious significance, the festival provides an opportunity to understand how India preserves its traditional performances, dances, rituals and celebrations as part of its intangible cultural heritage.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) works to identify and safeguard cultural practices, expressions, knowledge and skills passed down through generations. Unlike monuments, historical buildings and archaeological sites, intangible cultural heritage includes living traditions such as folk performances, festivals, oral storytelling, music, dance and traditional craftsmanship.
UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity recognises practices that contribute to cultural diversity and help communities maintain their identity. Such recognition also encourages awareness, documentation and transmission of traditional knowledge to future generations. India has several traditions inscribed on this list, including Ramlila, Durga Puja in Kolkata and Garba of Gujarat.
Ramlila is a traditional theatrical performance based on the Hindu epic Ramayana. The term literally means “Rama’s play”. It presents episodes from the life of Lord Rama through acting, dialogue, music, narration and devotional singing. Performances are particularly associated with the Dussehra season in northern India.
Many Ramlila performances draw on Ramcharitmanas, the sixteenth-century retelling of the Ramayana composed by the poet Tulsidas. Celebrations in places such as Ayodhya, Ramnagar and Varanasi are known for their distinctive traditions. Some performances last around 10–12 days, while the celebrated Ramnagar Ramlila can continue for approximately a month.
Ramlila was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008. Its significance extends beyond religious storytelling because local communities participate in acting, costume-making, preparing stage settings and organising performances. It therefore represents a form of collective cultural expression and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Durga Puja is a major festival celebrating Goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Although the festival is observed in several parts of India, Kolkata’s Durga Puja is particularly recognised for its elaborate artistic installations, decorated pandals, traditional rituals, clay idols, music and community involvement.
The celebration brings together artisans, sculptors, designers, organisers and local residents. The preparation of idols and pandals provides opportunities for traditional skills to be passed from one generation to another. The festival also demonstrates how religious practices can develop into important cultural and artistic expressions.
UNESCO inscribed Durga Puja in Kolkata in 2021 on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The recognition highlights the festival’s combination of devotion, artistic creativity, community participation and social interaction. The immersion of idols at the end of the festivities is another important part of the celebration.
Garba is a traditional Gujarati dance closely associated with Navratri, the festival dedicated to the worship of the divine feminine. Participants dance in circles around a lamp, an illuminated pot or an image of the Goddess. The circular formation is commonly interpreted as representing continuity and the cyclical nature of life.
Garba combines rhythmic movements, traditional music, colourful clothing and collective participation. It is performed in villages, towns and cities, bringing together people from different age groups and social backgrounds. The tradition is transmitted through family practices, community celebrations and participation in public performances.
UNESCO inscribed the Garba of Gujarat in 2023 on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The recognition acknowledges the tradition’s cultural significance and its role in preserving community identity, artistic expression and social cohesion. Garba also illustrates how a regional cultural practice can gain international visibility while remaining rooted in local traditions.
Dussehra is celebrated differently across India, reflecting the country’s regional diversity. In many northern and central Indian communities, it commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, often marked by Ramlila performances and the burning of Ravana’s effigy. In eastern India, Vijayadashami marks the conclusion of Durga Puja celebrations. In Mysuru, Karnataka, Dasara is associated with the worship of Goddess Chamundeshwari and features processions and cultural events.
These regional variations demonstrate that festivals can preserve local customs while sharing broader cultural themes. Although Dussehra is closely associated with Ramlila and other cultural traditions, it is important to distinguish the festival itself from individual practices inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Ramlila, Durga Puja in Kolkata and Garba of Gujarat have their own specific inscription histories.
UNESCO recognition can increase international awareness of Indian traditions and encourage communities to safeguard their cultural practices. It can also support documentation, cultural education, responsible tourism and opportunities for traditional artists and craftspeople.
However, inscription does not automatically guarantee that a tradition will survive. Communities, cultural organisations and public institutions must continue to support practitioners, preserve traditional knowledge and encourage younger generations to participate. Ramlila, Durga Puja and Garba demonstrate how living traditions can adapt to changing circumstances while retaining their cultural identity.
For government examination aspirants, these examples connect Indian culture with international organisations, heritage conservation, regional traditions and community development. They are particularly relevant to questions on UNESCO, Indian heritage, festivals, folk arts and cultural diversity.
The relationship between Dussehra and UNESCO-recognised cultural traditions is important for competitive examinations, including UPSC Civil Services, State PSC examinations, SSC, banking, railway recruitment and teaching examinations. Questions may cover the names of cultural practices, their geographical origins, their inscription years and the role of UNESCO in protecting intangible heritage.
Ramlila, Durga Puja in Kolkata and Garba of Gujarat illustrate three different forms of living heritage: traditional theatre, a community festival combining ritual and artistic creativity, and devotional folk dance. Studying them helps aspirants understand how cultural traditions are preserved through oral transmission, collective participation and traditional craftsmanship.
UNESCO recognition gives Indian cultural traditions greater international visibility. It encourages cultural exchange and can help communities communicate the historical and social significance of their practices to a wider audience. Such recognition also reinforces the importance of protecting cultural diversity as part of sustainable development.
These traditions involve performers, musicians, artisans, sculptors, costume-makers and local organisers. Their continued practice can support traditional livelihoods and strengthen community relationships. At the same time, preservation requires sustained participation and the transmission of skills to younger generations.
The subject connects current affairs with static general knowledge. Aspirants should remember that Ramlila was inscribed in 2008, Durga Puja in Kolkata in 2021 and Garba of Gujarat in 2023. They should also understand that UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list is distinct from its World Heritage List of cultural and natural sites.
UNESCO adopted the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003. The convention established an international framework for protecting living cultural practices, expressions, knowledge and skills. It complements the international framework for protecting tangible heritage, such as monuments and historic sites.
India ratified the convention on 9 September 2005, strengthening its participation in international efforts to safeguard living traditions.
Ramlila became one of India’s early entries on UNESCO’s Representative List in 2008. Its inscription recognised the traditional performance of the Ramayana as a cultural practice involving storytelling, music, drama and community participation. The tradition is especially associated with the Dussehra season in northern India.
Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed in 2021. The recognition highlighted the festival’s combination of religious devotion, artistic innovation, public participation and community organisation. Its celebration demonstrates how a festival can become a major expression of a city’s cultural identity.
The Garba of Gujarat was inscribed in 2023. This recognition acknowledged the importance of the dance as a living tradition associated with Navratri and the worship of feminine divinity. Its continued practice in different communities illustrates how cultural traditions are transmitted and renewed across generations.
India’s UNESCO intangible heritage entries also include Yoga, Kumbh Mela, Chhau dance, Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan, Kutiyattam, the tradition of Vedic chanting and other cultural practices. Deepavali was added to the Representative List in 2025. These examples demonstrate the breadth of India’s living heritage, encompassing spiritual practices, festivals, performing arts and traditional knowledge.
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, symbolises the victory of good over evil. In many parts of India, it commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, while in other regions it marks the culmination of Durga Puja.
It refers to living cultural traditions, practices, expressions, knowledge and skills passed down through generations. Examples include festivals, traditional performances, music, dance and oral traditions.
Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana, was inscribed in 2008.
Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021.
Garba of Gujarat was inscribed in 2023. It is a devotional dance associated with Navratri and the worship of feminine energy.
The 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage provides the international framework for safeguarding living cultural traditions. India ratified it on 9 September 2005.
Tangible heritage includes physical objects and places, such as monuments, historic buildings and archaeological sites. Intangible heritage includes living traditions such as folk dances, festivals, traditional performances and oral knowledge.
Deepavali was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List in 2025.
Ramlila presents episodes from the Ramayana through drama, narration, music and devotional performances. It helps preserve traditional storytelling and encourages community participation across generations.
UNESCO recognition raises international awareness, encourages safeguarding efforts and highlights the cultural value of traditions. Their continued survival also depends on community participation, documentation and the transmission of skills to future generations.
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