UNESCO Recognizes Deepavali as Part of Intangible Cultural Heritage
India celebrates as the festival of lights earns a place on the global heritage map during a UNESCO session at the Red Fort.
NEW DELHI, Dec 10: India’s beloved festival of lights, Deepavali, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement was made on Wednesday during a landmark session of UNESCO hosted at the Red Fort in Delhi.
This year marks the first time India has hosted the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). The 20th session of the committee, held from December 8 to 13, witnessed chants of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai” as the festival’s global recognition was celebrated.
With Deepavali’s inclusion, India now boasts 15 elements on UNESCO’s Representative List, joining the ranks of other cultural treasures such as the Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja of Kolkata, Garba dance of Gujarat, yoga, Vedic chanting traditions, and Ramlila performances of the epic Ramayana.
UNESCO’s recognition highlights Deepavali’s rich cultural significance, traditional rituals, and its role in uniting communities, further cementing its status as a symbol of India’s vibrant heritage.
