Deepavali Joins UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List: A Global Salute to India’s Timeless Cultural Legacy
India added another jewel to its cultural crown on Wednesday as Deepavali — the festival of lights — was officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity.
The recognition comes exactly one year after Kolkata’s Durga Puja entered the prestigious list, marking yet another global acknowledgment of India’s vast, vibrant, and ancient cultural heritage admired around the world.
The decision was announced during a key session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee, being hosted for the first time in India at the historic Red Fort in Delhi.
This year’s session, running from December 8 to 13, represents a milestone moment for India in cultural diplomacy and global heritage stewardship.
A Celebration of India’s Cultural Spirit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the announcement as a moment of collective pride, writing on X:
“Deepavali is closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness. The UNESCO recognition will only elevate the festival’s global appeal further.”
He added, “May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity.”
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar inaugurated the global gathering, calling intangible cultural heritage the most “democratic expression of culture — owned by all and guarded by many,” highlighting the living traditions that bind communities across borders.
The Nomination: A Collective National Effort
The nomination for Deepavali was built through an extensive process involving:
- Communities and practitioners across India
- Letters of consent and testimonials
- Audio and video documentation
- Scholarly and artistic inputs
To ensure that every region’s voice was represented in the dossier, the Sangeet Natak Akademi—India’s nodal agency for ICH—assembled a committee of experts, practitioners, writers, scholars, and cultural custodians from across the country.
Deepavali’s nomination also honored the festival’s strong emotional connection with the global Indian diaspora, symbolizing India’s cultural footprints spread worldwide.
India’s Growing Presence on UNESCO’s Heritage Map
Deepavali becomes the 16th Indian tradition to be included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. India’s existing entries reflect its diversity and civilizational depth:
- Garba of Gujarat
- Durga Puja of Kolkata
- Kumbh Mela
- Yoga
- Vedic chanting tradition
- Ramlila – traditional enactment of the Ramayana
- Buddhist chanting in Ladakh
- Sankirtana of Manipur
- Chhau dance, Kalbelia folk songs, Mudiyettu, and more
India’s cultural tapestry—woven over thousands of years—continues to fascinate scholars, artists, and heritage enthusiasts across continents.
UNESCO’s recognition reaffirms India’s position as one of the world’s richest repositories of living traditions.
Deepavali: A Universal Message
Speaking at the event, the Union Minister of Culture described the inscription as a “moment of immense pride for India and for communities worldwide who keep alive the timeless spirit of Deepavali.”
He invoked the festival’s core message:
“Tamso Ma Jyotirgamaya — from darkness to light,”
symbolising hope, renewal, and harmony — values that resonate across cultures and civilisations.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and India’s Ambassador to UNESCO Vishal V. Sharma were among the dignitaries present during the inaugural ceremony.
Looking Ahead: Chhath Puja Next in Line
For the next cycle, India has nominated Bihar’s Chhath Puja, another ancient festival deeply rooted in devotion, nature worship, and community participation.
With Deepavali now shining bright on UNESCO’s global platform, India continues to showcase its extraordinary cultural heritage — a living, breathing legacy shaped by thousands of years of philosophy, ritual, artistic expression, and spiritual wisdom.
This recognition is not just for a festival; it is an acknowledgment of India’s civilizational continuity — a culture where traditions are not relics of the past, but living rituals that illuminate daily life.
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