Deepavali, India’s celebrated festival of light has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement was made on Wednesday during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), currently underway at the Red Fort in New Delhi.
This session marks a milestone for India, as it is the first time the country is hosting the ICH Committee meeting. Held from December 8 to 13, the gathering has brought together global cultural delegates and heritage experts.
The moment Deepavali’s inscription was confirmed, the venue resonated with spirited chants of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” reflecting the excitement of participants.
Deepavali’s inclusion brings India’s total count of UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage elements to fifteen. Other notable entries include the Kumbh Mela, Kolkata’s Durga Puja, the Garba dance of Gujarat, yoga, the tradition of Vedic chanting, and Ramlila — the classical enactment of the Ramayana.
The recognition affirms Deepavali’s profound cultural importance and reinforces India’s rich heritage on the global cultural map.
