Deepavali, the festival of lights, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision was formally adopted on Wednesday during the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is being hosted for the first time in India at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi.
The inscription was announced in the presence of Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, senior officials of the Ministry of Culture, international experts, and delegates representing 194 member states.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Shekhawat described the recognition as a moment of immense pride not only for India but for communities across the world that celebrate the festival. He underlined that Deepavali carries the eternal message of moving from darkness to light and stressed its deeply people-centric nature. The minister paid tribute to the potters, artisans, farmers, sweet makers, priests, and countless households whose active participation keeps the living traditions of the festival alive. He also acknowledged the vital role played by the Indian diaspora in carrying Deepavali celebrations to every corner of the globe.
The Ministry of Culture emphasised that this inscription brings with it the responsibility to protect and pass on this heritage to future generations. It noted that Deepavali symbolises unity, renewal, and social cohesion and is celebrated through a rich variety of practices, including the lighting of diyas, creation of rangoli, traditional crafts, rituals, and joyful community gatherings. The nomination dossier, meticulously prepared by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, was the result of wide-ranging consultations with practitioners, artisans, agrarian communities, diaspora representatives, persons with special needs, transgender communities, and numerous cultural organisations.
UNESCO itself confirmed the inscription through a post on X, welcoming Deepavali as a new entry on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The organisation highlighted that the festival strengthens social bonds, sustains traditional craftsmanship, promotes well-being, and contributes directly to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including decent work and economic growth, gender equality, and quality education.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed the announcement, stating that people in India and around the world were thrilled by the development.
Replying directly to UNESCO’s post on X, the Prime Minister wrote: “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.”
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan called the inscription a profound moment of pride for every Indian and underscored the festival’s role in fostering unity and its timeless message of the victory of light over darkness.
“Delighted to note UNESCO’s inscription of Deepavali on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. This global recognition is a profound moment of pride for every Indian. Deepavali is not just a festival, it is a civilisational phenomenon that unites the nation and resonates across the world. It embodies India’s multiculturalism, pluralism, and social unity, while carrying a timeless message of hope, harmony, and the triumph of light over darkness and Dharma over Adharma. My warm congratulations to all fellow countrymen on this recognition, which celebrates India’s rich cultural heritage and its enduring message for humanity,” the Vice-President said.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed the development, stating that the listing recognises both the cultural and spiritual depth of Deepavali and its unique power to bring people together.
“Glad to learn of the inscription of ‘Deepavali’ in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is a recognition of the festival’s immense cultural, religious and spiritual significance and of its role in bringing people together,” Dr Jaishankar said.
Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat described the day as historic and pointed out that India’s cultural heritage has gained unprecedented global recognition during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure.
“A historic day for India. Deepavali has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. During the tenure of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, India’s cultural heritage is receiving unprecedented global recognition and this milestone strengthens that journey. This honour celebrates the universal message of our festival of lights: hope over despair, harmony over division, and light for all. My gratitude to UNESCO and to every custodian of our timeless traditions. Jai Hind,” Shekhawat posted.
The Ministry of Culture added that the inscription will significantly raise global awareness of India’s intangible cultural heritage and reinforce ongoing efforts to safeguard community-based living traditions for generations to come.
Deepavali was one of 67 nominations from around the world evaluated during the week-long 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee, taking place at Delhi’s Red Fort from December 8 to 13. This is the first occasion that India is hosting a session of the UNESCO committee.
With the inclusion of Deepavali, India now boasts 16 elements on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The country’s existing inscriptions include the Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja of Kolkata, Garba of Gujarat, Yoga, Vedic chanting, Ramlila, Ramman, and Kutiyattam, among others. This latest addition further consolidates India’s prominent position on the global cultural map.
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