<h1>Protecting living temple traditions: balancing intangible cultural heritage, customary custodianship, religious freedom, and heritage management obligations</h1> A temple in Meghalaya drew thousands on Vijaya Dashami as centuries-old rituals blending Hindu and indigenous Khasi-Jaintia practices were observed, including worship of the deity via a plantain trunk (reflecting prohibitions on sculpted images), ceremonial immersion, and performance by the local chieftain who acts as chief patron. A hereditary priestly lineage continues ritual custody, and archaic hymns in an otherwise unused language are still chanted. Legal issues implicate protection of intangible cultural heritage, recognition of customary authority and custodianship, religious freedom, and potential heritage-management and conservation obligations under domestic and international frameworks.