**Summary:**
The Ministry of Culture's "Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar" (MGMD) programme, launched under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) and implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), aims to document and preserve the cultural heritage of 6.5 lakh villages in India. This initiative, a part of the "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav," utilizes the MGMD portal (https:mgmd.gov.in) to create comprehensive cultural portfolios for each village, encompassing oral traditions, beliefs, customs, historical significance, art forms, traditional food, prominent artists, fairs and festivals, traditional dress, ornaments, local landmarks, and cultural expressions of marginalized communities. As of July 2025, 4.7 lakh villages are live on the portal. In West Bengal, 5,917 out of 41,116 villages have been mapped, with the remaining 35,199 villages undergoing active documentation. No financial assistance has been allocated/sanctioned for the implementation of the programme, state-wise including Tamil Nadu. The documented data is intended to aid in the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, including traditional art forms, rituals, and folk performances.
For further information, contact Sunil Kumar Tiwari at pibcultureatgmaildotcom.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for preserving and promoting India's cultural heritage.
Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar Programme: A program initiated by the Ministry of Culture to document and promote the cultural heritage of villages in India.
National Mission on Cultural Mapping: A mission established by the Ministry of Culture and implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts to document India's cultural heritage.
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts: An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, responsible for implementing the National Mission on Cultural Mapping.
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: An initiative to celebrate 75 years of India's independence.
Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar MGMD portal: Online portal launched under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping to document the cultural heritage of villages in India.
West Bengal: A state in eastern India where cultural mapping is being conducted under the MGMD program.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India where no financial assistance has been allocated for the Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar Programme.
Ministry of Culture
Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar Programme
Posted On: 28 JUL 2025 3:43PM by PIB Delhi
To preserve and promote India’s rich cultural heritage, the Ministry of Culture has established the National
Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM). Implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
(IGNCA), the mission aims to document India’s cultural heritage and its potential to revitalize rural
economics.
As a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, NMCM launched Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) portal
in June 2023 (https://mgmd.gov.in/). This initiative aims to document the cultural heritage of 6.5
lakh villages of India. Currently, 4.7 lakh villages are live on the portal with their respective cultural
portfolios.
The MGMD portal captures a wide range of cultural elements, including oral traditions, beliefs, customs,
historical significance, art forms, traditional food, prominent artists, fairs and festivals, traditional dress,
ornaments and local landmarks. This Portal also includes the cultural expressions of India’s marginalized
communities and lesser-known traditions across the country.
NMCM is a significant step towards preserving India’s cultural heritage and empowering rural
communities. By documenting and promoting cultural assets, the mission aims to strengthen cultural
identity and foster economic development.
The total number of villages targeted for cultural mapping across the country under the MGMD
programme is 6.5 lakh, including 41,116 villages in the state of West Bengal. As of now, 5,917
villages in West Bengal have mapped, and corresponding data has been uploaded on the MGMD
Web Portal. The remaining 35,199 villages are in active documentation process.
So far, no financial assistance has been allocated/sanctioned for implementation of the said
programme, state-wise including Tamil Nadu.
Currently, the data of 4.7 lakh villages have been uploaded on the MGMD Web Portal. The data
would help in identifying and documenting preservation of intangible cultural heritage, including
traditional art forms, rituals and folk performances;
This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
****
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2149271)