Discover Living Heritage of Maharashtra

As we celebrate World Heritage week, we are reminded that Maharashtra is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. With the recent inscription of the Maratha Military Landscapes, Maharashtra now proudly stands as the state with the highest number of UNESCO-recognised heritage sites in India.

While these monumental achievements highlight the state’s tangible cultural heritage, Maharashtra is equally enriched by a vibrant world of intangible traditions. Its magnificent structures are deeply interwoven with living practices—from dynamic performing arts to exquisite crafts—that continue to flourish across generations.

With the initiative of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, our projects spotlight the cultural wealth of Nashik and Palghar. These districts are home to remarkable folk art forms such as Warli painting and the Bohada mask tradition; diverse performing arts including Dera Geet, Madal Nritya, Bagh Pawri Nritya, and Tadpa Nritya; and traditional crafts like basketry, each sustained by the creativity and knowledge of local communities.

This Heritage Week, let us celebrate and protect Maharashtra’s tangible treasures while also safeguarding the intangible cultural traditions that bring them to life—honouring the communities who preserve them and nurturing a truly holistic heritage landscape for all.

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Nestled in the UNESCO-recognized Western Ghats, Surgana in Nashik brings together breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant living traditions. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is actively developing intangible heritage–based experiential tourism here, shining a light on cultural practices that define the region’s unique identity.

From the historic Hatgad Fort to the healing waters of the Tatapani hot springs and the cascading Sakhalchond waterfalls, Surgana’s landscape is as inspiring as its heritage. The mythic artistry of Bohada mask-making in Pimpalsond, along with dynamic folk traditions such as Thakar Nritya, Madal Nritya, Dangi Nritya, Bagh Pawri Nritya, and soulful music like Dera Geet, bring villages like Shribhuwan Chinchpada, Shribhuwan Barda, Dolhare, and Vangan alive with movement, rhythm, and stories carried through generations.

This World Heritage Week, Surgana reminds us that protecting the Western Ghats means cherishing not only its natural splendour but also the cultural traditions that flourish within it. Let us honour this harmony of nature, culture, and community—respecting the people who sustain these traditions and ensuring that this living heritage continues to thrive for generations to come.

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In Pimpalsond village of Nashik district, the Bohada masks are crafted with remarkable skill and devotion, embodying a rich artistic legacy upheld by generations of artisans. Once carved from heavy wood, these striking creations are now made from lightweight papier-mâché, shaped with clay, paper pulp, and natural adhesives. Each of the 52 traditional Sohang masks represent a unique mythological character, ranging from revered gods and goddesses to powerful demons and spirited animals. Families in Pimpalsond have safeguarded their practice of mask making for centuries, treasuring them as sacred heirlooms and enduring symbols of cultural identity. Through the hands of these dedicated artisans and mask-makers, a timeless heritage continues to thrive, with every vibrant face preserving the stories and spirit of their community.

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On the auspicious occasion of Birsa Munda Jayanti, we pay heartfelt tribute to the tribal communities of Maharashtra, whose unwavering resilience, cultural brilliance, and deep-rooted wisdom have enriched our society for generations.

Among these treasured traditions are the soulful Dera Geet and the dynamic Thakar Nritya of Nashik, along with the powerful Tadpa Nritya of Palghar—each carried forward with devotion by the tribal dancers and singers who serve as custodians of their community’s heritage.

On this special day, we honour their contribution, celebrate their artistry, and bow to their enduring strength.

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On the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, we pay heartfelt tribute to the tribal communities whose heritage, wisdom, and deep-rooted connection with the land continue to illuminate the cultural soul of our nation. On this special day, we reflect not only on his inspiring legacy but also on the living traditions that thrive within our tribal communities—traditions that speak of courage, dignity, and an unbroken bond with nature.

Among these treasured legacies is the Warli artform of Palghar, practiced for generations by the members of the Warli tribe. Their intricate patterns, drawn with patience and purpose, are more than artistic expressions—they are stories of community, harmony, and the rhythm of everyday life. The creativity, resilience, and profound symbolism carried within each stroke stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of the tribe.

As we honour Birsa Munda today, we also celebrate the vibrant cultural strength of the Warli people, whose timeless art continues to inspire, connect, and preserve the beauty of India’s indigenous heritage.

#ExploreMaharashtra #tribalart #BirsaMundaJayanti #warliart #palghardistrict