Prime Minister Modi and Union ministers hailed the UNESCO”s decsion as a proud moment for India, calling Deepavali a symbol of hope, harmony, and cultural continuity.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, December 10, 2025: Deepavali—India’s festival of lights celebrated widely across the country and by the global diaspora—was on Wednesday added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement came during the ongoing session of the Intergovernmental Committee, being hosted at Delhi’s Red Fort.
More than 1,000 delegates from over 180 countries are attending the six-day meeting, which began on December 8. To mark the occasion, the national capital has curated performances, lighting rituals, and exhibitions showcasing traditional arts associated with Deepavali.
In its inscription note, UNESCO described Deepavali as a festival marking the last harvest of the year and the beginning of a new season, celebrated “by diverse individuals and communities across India.” Falling on the new moon between October and November, the festivities span several days and symbolise “the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.” Homes, streets, and public spaces are cleaned, decorated, illuminated with lamps and candles, and filled with prayers for prosperity and renewal.
🔴 BREAKING
New inscription on the #IntangibleHeritage List: Deepavali, #India🇮🇳.
Congratulations!https://t.co/xoL14QknFp #LivingHeritage pic.twitter.com/YUM7r6nUai
— UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳 (@UNESCO) December 10, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the inscription as a moment of national pride, calling Deepavali “the soul of our civilisation” and an embodiment of “illumination and righteousness.” He said the recognition would strengthen the festival’s global resonance.
Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also welcomed the development, calling it “a historic day for India” and emphasising Deepavali’s universal message of hope and harmony.
Delhi’s cultural minister Kapil Mishra said the city has planned extensive December festivities, including illuminated government buildings, traditional installations, diya displays at the Red Fort, and district-level cultural programmes. Special Diwali markets are also expected across the capital.
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The UNESCO session was formally opened by external affairs minister S. Jaishankar, who described India’s cultural heritage—from rituals and languages to craftsmanship and music—as a deeply democratic and collective tradition. He urged participating nations to strengthen efforts to preserve and transmit cultural inheritances “in the shared pursuit of peace and prosperity.”
The inaugural ceremony featured Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, UNESCO director-general Khaled El-Enany, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, and India’s permanent delegate to UNESCO, Vishal V. Sharma.
India’s Deepavali nomination was prepared by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, which held extensive consultations involving practitioners, scholars, writers, poets, and community groups. Officials gathered written and audiovisual testimonials to highlight the festival’s pan-Indian character and its deep emotional and cultural resonance among global Indian communities.
UNESCO defines intangible cultural heritage as practices, knowledge, expressions, objects and spaces that communities recognise as part of their cultural identity. These traditions evolve over generations, reinforcing cultural diversity and continuity.
With Deepavali’s addition, India now has 15 elements on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list, including yoga, Vedic chanting, the Kumbh Mela, Ramlila, Garba and Bengal’s Durga Puja. India has also nominated Bihar’s Chhath Puja for consideration in the next evaluation cycle.
