Sahapedia: India's Living Heritage

What it is

Sahapedia is an open online resource on the arts, cultures and heritage of India, run by an Indian non-profit. The name comes from the Sanskrit "saha", meaning "together with". Most content is in English, with a growing share in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Urdu and Chhattisgarhi.

Why we picked it

India often gets reduced to a few postcard images. Sahapedia shows how varied it really is. Content is sorted into clear domains: knowledge traditions, visual and material arts, performing arts, literature and languages, practices and rituals, histories, built spaces and the natural environment. Recent homepage stories cover Golu dolls displayed during Navaratri, a village of craftspeople who make hair for statues of gods, how yoga looked before it became a fitness routine, and Manas National Park.

It isn't only long reads. You'll find interviews, videos, image galleries, timelines and virtual tours, plus a heritage map and a series on the museums of India.

Where to start

• Open Explore and pick a domain; Performing Arts is a good choice if classical dance interests you.
• Try the heritage map at map.sahapedia.org and look up a city you plan to visit.
• Read the piece on Golu dolls for a sense of how the site writes about everyday traditions.
• Browse the Museums of India series.
• Flip through the image galleries when you want something quick.

Who it's for

Travelers who want to understand what they're seeing in India, craft and dance lovers, students of South Asian studies, and anyone curious about how living traditions sit alongside modern life.

Quick answers

What language is it in? Mostly English, with some material translated into Indian languages.

Who writes for it? Researchers, writers and Sahapedia fellows; every piece carries its author's name.

Is it commercial? No. Sahapedia is a non-profit registered in India.