India’s iconic festival, Deepavali, has earned global recognition, being inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This marks a historic moment, making Deepavali the 16th Indian tradition to receive such an honor.
The announcement came during the 20th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, held at Delhi’s Red Fort from December 8–13, 2025. The festival’s inclusion celebrates its rich cultural, spiritual, and social significance, highlighting India’s enduring traditions on a global stage.
Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a multi‑day festival celebrated across India by communities of varied faiths and backgrounds. Observed on the new moon of October or November, it symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. The festival blends rituals, art, and social customs: homes are cleaned and decorated, lamps are lit, prayers offered, sweets exchanged, and communities gather for music, dance, and shared meals. These practices are passed down through generations, making the festival both a celebration and a living repository of cultural memory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the UNESCO recognition, describing Deepavali as “the soul of our civilisation” and noting that its inclusion will help share India’s cultural legacy with the world. The Ministry of Culture emphasized that the honor acknowledges not just the festival but the countless artisans, families, and communities that sustain its practices, from handcrafted diyas to traditional sweets and ritual performances.
UNESCO’s inscription also carries a message: the festival’s traditions must be preserved and shared with future generations. Beyond its beauty and joy, Deepavali represents values of unity, resilience, and continuity, offering a model of cultural heritage that thrives in everyday life.
With this recognition, Deepavali joins an elite group of Indian practices on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list, including Yoga, Durga Puja, and Ramlila. It now stands as a symbol not only of India’s cultural wealth but also of the universal human values that bind communities across borders.
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