How do the street artists of Mumbai thrive in an age of e-commerce? What were steam engines like back in the day? Why is the Taj of Marwar called so? Google may have the answers, but witnessing them for yourself holds an entirely different magic. 

For the majority of us whose weekends involve endless scrolling on social media, while constantly on the lookout for new things to do and explore, here’s a suggestion: Why not try a heritage walk? Call them story trails, history walks or culture trips, they have come to be the most popular way to rediscover the city where you grew up. 

These heritage walks in India merge the past and present to create experiences that urge you to get out of bed and take a walk down the bylanes of history. 

Conducted by Sahapedia — an open online resource on the arts, cultures and heritage of India — these walks are a window into the country’s legacy. They are conducted across cities like Mumbai, Agra, Varanasi, and Shillong, among others, and offer a glimpse of the cultural nuances that shape the history of these regions.

For instance, the Kasera Oli trail organised in Gwalior introduces walkers to the generations of artisans engaged in making iron utensils while the trip to the International Dolls Museum in Chandigarh explores the roots of how gender came to be associated with different toys. 

Check out the walks here. 

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The city is a history buff’s paradise. And Enroute........

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