Diwali now in UNESCO’s cultural heritage list, 5 other festivals and traditions that have made it to the list
Published on: Dec. 10, 2025, 5:29 p.m. | Source: Times of India
Great news for India, as Deepavali has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee, held at the Red Fort in New Delhi. UNESCO confirmed the development in a post on X, announcing Deepavali as a new inscription on the Intangible Heritage List. UNESCO noted that Deepavali strengthens social bonds, supports traditional craftsmanship, promotes wellbeing and contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, including livelihood support, gender equality and cultural education.Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement, saying people in India and abroad were delighted by the recognition.In reply to the UNESCO post, PM Modi said, “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 civilization. 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 also said the inscription was a moment of pride for Indians and highlighted Deepavali’s role in promoting unity, and added, “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.”Deepavali was one of the 67 nominations evaluated during the six-day committee session held from December 8 to 13. India’s entry was prepared by the Sangeet Natak Akademi through extensive consultations with practitioners, artisans, agrarian communities, diaspora groups, individuals with special needs, transgender communities and cultural organisations.With Deepavali added, India’s rich list now has 16 elements on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Five notable examples are:
