Deepavali Enters UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, Boosting India’s Global Presence

In a moment of cultural pride for India, Deepavali, the iconic festival of lights, has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity 2025. The inclusion affirms the festival’s deep cultural, spiritual, and social significance, celebrated by millions across India and the global diaspora. UNESCO’s recognition also brings broader visibility to India’s living cultural traditions, reaffirming their value in a rapidly globalising world.

Background: Understanding UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

UNESCO created the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity to safeguard various forms of living heritage. This includes,

• Oral traditions
• Performing arts
• Social customs and festivals
• Rituals and community practices
• Knowledge of nature and the universe
• Traditional craftsmanship

The idea is to protect traditions passed through generations, promote awareness, sustain cultural diversity, and encourage global respect for different ways of life.

Why Deepavali Was Selected

Deepavali, known for symbolising victory of light over darkness and good over evil, is far more than a festival. It encompasses,

• Rituals performed across regions
• Community gatherings and family celebrations
• Crafts and traditional food practices
• Lighting of lamps symbolising hope and harmony
• Values of inclusivity across religions and cultures

Its universal message, vibrant expressions, and generational continuity make Deepavali a classic example of living heritage, aligning with UNESCO’s criteria of being traditional, contemporary, inclusive, representative, and community-driven.

Full UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List 2025

The 2025 list features 20 cultural elements, including Deepavali. The complete list is,

Significance of Deepavali’s Inclusion

Deepavali’s inclusion highlights,

• India’s cultural soft power on the global stage
• Recognition of its universal message of harmony, hope, and renewal
• Preservation of associated traditional practices such as rangoli, diya making, storytelling, and folk rituals
• Strengthening India’s case for listing more cultural traditions in future

The recognition also helps cultural practitioners, craft communities, and festival organisers receive greater attention and institutional support.

Static Facts

• New India Entry (2025): Deepavali
• List Name: UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
• Established by: UNESCO
• Purpose: Safeguard living cultural heritage
• Other Indian entries: Durga Puja, Kumbh Mela, Vedic chanting, Ramlila, Kutiyattam, Chhau dance, Kalbelia, etc.
• New 2025 entry from Bangladesh: Tangail saree weaving