Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 11: India’s iconic festival of lights, Deepavali, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement was made on Wednesday during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), hosted for the first time in India at the Red Fort, New Delhi.
“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 session, chaired by Vishal V Sharma, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of India to UNESCO, runs from December 8 to 13. Delegates from nearly 80 countries are examining 67 nominations that showcase traditions, practices, and cultural expressions cherished globally.
Hailing the inclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, “People in India and around the world are thrilled. For us, Deepavali is 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.”
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described the recognition as “a recognition of the festival’s immense cultural, religious and spiritual significance and of its role in bringing people together.”
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan welcomed the global acknowledgement, calling it a moment of national pride. 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.”
With Deepavali’s inclusion, India now has 16 elements on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Earlier, India’s 15 elements included 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.
Deepavali has been inscribed under the “Social practices, rituals and festive events” domain. The inscription formally recognises it as a living cultural tradition of global value, affirming the need to safeguard associated rituals and practices for future generations while enhancing the festival’s international visibility and strengthening India’s cultural profile worldwide.