PARTHA ROY, KOLKATA: Deepavali, India’s iconic festival of lights, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement came on Wednesday during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, hosted at Delhi’s Red Fort from December 8-13, 2025. This marks the 16th Indian element on the list and the first time India is hosting the committee session.
The inscription was adopted in the presence of delegates from 194 Member States, international experts, and representatives of UNESCO’s global network. As a living tradition carried forward by communities and recreated across generations, Deepavali supports social cohesion and contributes to sustainable development.
UNESCO’s announcement holds special significance, coinciding with the United Nations observance of Human Rights Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the recognition in a post on X, stating: “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 civilisation. 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.”
The celebration of Deepavali carries particular resonance for the people of Ayodhya. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath acknowledged the honour in a post on X: “The inscription of Deepavali on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List is a proud recognition of a festival that celebrates light over darkness and new beginnings. For Uttar Pradesh, this honour is especially meaningful. Ayodhya, the sacred land of Prabhu Shri Ram, is where Deepavali was first celebrated. This global acknowledgment reflects India’s growing cultural stature under the leadership of Hon. PM Shri Narendra Modi ji. May Ayodhya’s eternal light continue to guide humanity towards truth and harmony.”
Deepavali, commonly known as Diwali, is the Hindu festival of lights, observed with variations in other Indian religions such as Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. It symbolises the spiritual victory of dharma over adharma, light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin (per the amanta tradition) and Kartika—typically between mid-October and mid-November—the festivities generally span five or six days, with the main observance on Kartik Amavasya Tithi. Hindus mark Deepavali over five days. Known as the “Festival of Lights,” it involves lighting millions of small oil lamps, or diyas, in homes, gardens, and on rooftops to welcome the goddess Lakshmi and invite prosperity and good fortune.
Originating in India, Deepavali also heralds the New Year and is an official holiday in several countries, including India, Fiji, Mauritius, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Singapore. Inclusion on UNESCO’s Representative List requires states to submit a nomination dossier for evaluation, with each country allowed one nomination every two years. India put forward Deepavali for the 2024–25 cycle.
For millions in India, Deepavali transcends an annual event; it is a vibrant thread in the nation’s emotional and cultural tapestry, annually reigniting joy, renewal, and communal bonds. With this UNESCO listing, global celebrations of Deepavali will gain even greater resonance as one of the world’s rare festivals honouring the triumph of good over evil. The next Deepavali will be observed on November 8, 2026.