Global Recognition for India’s Festival of Lights, Boosting Cultural Prestige
New Delhi | Dec 10, 2025
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Deepavali, India’s spectacular and widely celebrated Festival of Lights, has been formally inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The historic decision was announced today during the ongoing 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, currently being hosted by India at the iconic Red Fort in New Delhi.
The inscription marks a monumental moment of global recognition for the living traditions, community practices, and profound spiritual significance associated with the multi-day festival, which symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
A Moment of Immense National Pride
The announcement was met with widespread celebration across the venue, with chants of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ echoing through the committee hall. The inclusion of Deepavali adds another glittering feather to India’s cap, joining other globally recognised elements like the Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja of Kolkata, and Yoga.
Union Minister of Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, addressed the delegates and hailed the decision as a moment of “immense pride for India and for communities across the world who keep alive the timeless spirit of Deepavali.”
“This recognition is a tribute to the collective cultural labour that sustains this tradition,” the Minister stated. “The festival embodies the universal message of ‘Tamso Ma Jyotirgamaya’—the transition from darkness to light, symbolising hope, renewal, and harmony.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to social media, expressing his delight: “People in India and around the world are thrilled. Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. The addition to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List will contribute to the festival’s global popularity even further.”
Understanding the Recognition
UNESCO’s inscription acknowledges Deepavali as a living heritage that extends far beyond monuments and collected objects. The body’s official citation highlights the festival as a “joyous occasion that symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.”
The nomination dossier submitted by India emphasized the multi-faceted, community-based nature of the festival:
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Communal Practices: The cleaning and decoration of homes, the lighting of diyas (earthen lamps) and candles, and the gathering of families.
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Arts and Craftsmanship: The integral role of potters crafting traditional lamps, artisans preparing festive decor, and sweet makers (mithaiwalas).
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Social Bonds: The tradition of exchanging sweets and gifts, and performing prayers (pujas) for prosperity and new beginnings, all of which reinforce social harmony and inter-generational transmission of cultural knowledge.
The Ministry of Culture noted that the inscription will further promote global awareness and reinforce efforts to safeguard these community-based traditions for future generations.
Historic UNESCO Session in India
The decision holds added significance as it was made during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which India is hosting for the very first time.
Held at the Red Fort from December 8 to 13, the session brings together international delegates and cultural experts to evaluate nominations from nearly 80 countries. Hosting the event provides a symbolic backdrop for the discussions on cultural preservation and underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding its diverse living heritage.
With this latest inclusion, Deepavali becomes the 16th element from India to be featured on UNESCO’s Representative List, joining a prestigious roster of globally recognised cultural treasures.
India’s Inscribed Intangible Cultural Heritage (Selected List)
| Inscription Year | Cultural Element |
| 2025 | Deepavali |
| 2023 | Garba of Gujarat |
| 2021 | Durga Puja in Kolkata |
| 2017 | Kumbh Mela |
| 2016 | Yoga |
| 2010 | Chhau dance |
| 2008 | Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana |
