Deepavali inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

Deepavali, India’s iconic festival of lights, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement was made on Wednesday during a key session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), currently being hosted at Red Fort here. This marks the first time India is hosting the ICH Committee session.

“Deepavali commemorates the victory of good over evil, the triumph of light, and the unity and diversity of the Indian diaspora around the world, as well as all those who appreciate Indian culture. In the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam —   the Indian belief that the whole world is one family — this festival celebrates our shared identity as a global family,” said Vivek Agarwal, Secretary, Union Ministry of Culture.

The 20th session of the panel is underway from December 8 to 13 at the Red Fort and is chaired by Vishal V Sharma, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of India to UNESCO.

A total of 67 nominations submitted by nearly 80 countries will be examined during the course of the session. Delegates from around the world gathered in the capital to evaluate nominations that highlight traditions, practices and expressions cherished by communities globally.

Hailing the decision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, “People in India and around the world are thrilled. For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness. The addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List will contribute to the festival’s global popularity even further. May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity.”

“It is a recognition of the festival’s immense cultural, religious and spiritual significance and of its role in bringing people together,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wrote on X.

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan expressed delight over UNESCO’s decision to inscribe Deepavali on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list, calling it a moment of national pride. He welcomed the global recognition, saying it marks a significant acknowledgment of India’s cultural legacy.

In a social media post, he said Deepavali “is not merely a festival, but a civilisational phenomenon that unites the nation and resonates across the world”.

Before Deepavali’s inclusion, India had 15 elements on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These include Ramlila, Vedic chanting, Kutiyattam, Ramman, Chhau, Kalbelia, Mudiyettu, Buddhist chanting of Ladakh, Manipur’s Sankirtana, the Thatheras’ metal craft, yoga, Nawrouz, Kumbh Mela, Kolkata’s Durga Puja and Gujarat’s garba. With Deepavali added, India now has 16 elements on the list.

The festival has been inscribed under the “Social practices, rituals and festive events” domain.

Deepavali’s inclusion formally recognises it as a living cultural tradition of global value. The inscription affirms the need to safeguard associated rituals and practices for future generations while enhancing the festival’s international visibility, strengthening India’s cultural profile on the world stage.