Deepavali Inscribed on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List

Deepavali, the universally celebrated Indian festival of lights, has been officially inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

The announcement was made in New Delhi, which is currently hosting the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee at the Red Fort, bringing together over 1,000 delegates from more than 180 countries.

Significance of the Inscription

Deepavali is now the 16th element from India to be featured on UNESCO’s prestigious list, joining other celebrated traditions like Yoga, Kumbh Mela, and Garba.

• UNESCO’s Description: UNESCO described Deepavali as a light festival, celebrated annually across India and the diaspora, that “symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.” It marks the new moon in October or November, celebrating the last harvest and the start of a new year.
• National Pride: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the inscription a moment of “collective pride,” stating that the festival is “very closely linked to our culture and ethos” and is the “soul of our civilisation.”
• Safeguarding Effort: The nomination involved extensive documentation coordinated by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, including community inputs and expert guidance, to reflect the festival’s pan-Indian character and global resonance.

India’s Growing Intangible Heritage List

With the addition of Deepavali, India now has 16 elements on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The list includes:

• Festivals & Rituals: Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja (Kolkata), Garba (Gujarat), Ramlila, Ramman Festival (Uttarakhand), Deepavali.
• Practices: Yoga, Tradition of Vedic Chanting, Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh.
• Performing Arts: Kutiyattam (Sanskrit theatre, Kerala), Chhau Dance, Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dances (Rajasthan), Mudiyettu (Kerala), Sankirtana (Manipur).
• Craftsmanship: Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab.
• Shared Heritage: Nowruz (shared with multiple countries).

India has also forwarded a nomination for Bihar’s Chhath Puja for the next evaluation cycle.