In a recent boost to the heritage landscape of India, UNESCO announced the inclusion of seven new sites from the country in its Tentative World Heritage List. At the same time, the government, on their end, has initiated the process to secure recognition of Chhath Mahaparva, one of the most prominent festivals of eastern India and Nepal, in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Together, these developments place India on an advanced heritage cultural pulpit while also highlighting its commitment to preserving its tangible and intangible cultural wealth on the global stage.
On September 12, 2025, India's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO announced that seven new properties have been added to the natural category. With this, there are now 69 tentative sites in the nation, including 17 natural, 49 cultural, and three mixed listings. A site's inclusion on the tentative list enables recording, assessment, and the formulation of management plans that highlight its "Outstanding Universal Value," making it a crucial precondition for formal candidacy to UNESCO's World Heritage List.
The new sites reflect India’s vast geological and ecological diversity. They include the Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, an expansive basaltic volcanic landscape; the geological formations of St. Mary’s Island cluster in Udupi, Karnataka; and the Meghalayan Age caves in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, which preserve crucial records of climate and early life. From the Northeast, the Naga Hill Ophiolite in Nagaland adds to the list with its unique ophiolite sequences. In Andhra Pradesh, two natural properties—the Erra Matti Dibbalu near Visakhapatnam, known for striking red sand dunes, and the forested Tirumala Hills in Tirupati—have been recognised. Kerala’s coastal cliffs at Varkala complete the group, celebrated for their striking natural features and cultural significance.
By broadening its cluster of natural landscapes on the tentative list, India is highlighting the significance of its geological legacy in addition to its architectural and historical landmarks. In order to ensure that future nominations may fully reflect India's natural and cultural wealth, the recognition of such diverse ecological locations shows a broader approach to heritage preservation.
Hand in hand as the natural landscapes gained international attention, the Ministry of Culture moved to strengthen recognition of Chhath Mahaparva, a major festival rooted in the Mithila region of Bihar and Nepal, as well as in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. On July 7, 2025, the Chhathi Maiya Foundation formally submitted a proposal to UNESCO for the inclusion of the festival in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The following month, the Ministry instructed the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the nodal agency for such matters, to examine the proposal and take the process forward.
Chhath, celebrated by many, is a four-day festival that predates organised temple worship and is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya. Its rituals involve fasting, ritual baths, communal gatherings, and offerings made to the setting and rising sun. From the initial day of purification and preparation of food, through the rigorous fast of Kharna, to the evening and morning offerings known as Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya, the festival reflects a deep connection between communities and natural elements such as rivers, ponds, and the sun.
It is important, however, to note that recognising the festival’s living heritage requires careful documentation and community involvement. Towards this end, the Bihar state government has appointed the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) as a knowledge partner to prepare the nomination dossier. In addition, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is also contributing to the process. Folk songs, oral traditions, sculptures, photographs and writings are being collected to ensure the festival’s intangible practices are dexterously represented. To further enhance the effort, an international seminar is also slated to be held in Patna on October 11, which will seek to bring together scholars, practitioners and international experts to discuss the significance of Chhath.
The simultaneous inclusion of natural sites on the UNESCO Tentative List and the progress of Chhath’s nomination in Intangible Heritage Status underscores India’s approach to heritage which seems to take into account cultures as much as landscapes and architecture. The variety of India’s ecosystems, geological formations and cultural diversity only commands such an approach.
If the nominations move forward successfully, India will further strengthen its standing within UNESCO, which already recognises several of its monuments, sites, and traditions. More importantly, these moves are part of a larger effort to ensure that the country’s heritage, whether in stone, soil, or song, is safeguarded for future generations while being celebrated on a global platform.
Q1. Which seven Indian sites were added to the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List in 2025?
The new inclusions are Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, St. Mary’s Islands in Karnataka, Meghalayan Age caves in Meghalaya, Naga Hill Ophiolite in Nagaland, Erra Matti Dibbalu and Tirumala Hills in Andhra Pradesh, and the coastal cliffs of Varkala in Kerala.
Q2. How many tentative UNESCO sites does India have now?
India now has 69 sites on the Tentative World Heritage List, including cultural, natural, and mixed properties.
Q3. What is Chhath Mahaparva and why is India nominating it to UNESCO?
Chhath is a four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, celebrated in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Nepal, and among diaspora communities. India is seeking its inscription in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list to safeguard and highlight its living traditions.
Q4. Who is preparing the nomination dossier for Chhath?
The Ministry of Culture has tasked the Sangeet Natak Akademi with the process, supported by Intach in Bihar and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
Q5. Why is UNESCO recognition important?
UNESCO recognition enhances global visibility, ensures preservation through proper safeguarding plans, and underscores the outstanding universal value of both natural sites and cultural practices.
(With inputs from various sources.)