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Deepavali UNESCO Heritage: Deepavali, the festival of lights, has now been added to the UNESCO ‘s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Also known as Diwali, the Hindu festival has become the 16th Indian tradition to earn the honour, joining the ranks of Yoga and Durga Puja. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the step, saying it would add to the popularity of the festival globally. Alongside the cultural symbols from many other countries, like Ghana, Georgia, Congo, Ethiopia and Egypt, among others, Deepavali has been inscribed on the list. "New inscription on the #IntangibleHeritage List: Deepavali, #India. Congratulations!," UNESCO said in a tweet on Wednesday.

UNESCO recognised the cultural value of Deepavali for bonding with the community, spiritual rejuvenation, and encourages traditional rites and folklore passed on from generation to generation. The main appeal of the festival, in which light is triumphant over darkness and good over evil, justifies its place on UNESCO's list as an important step to preserve the culture and globalisation. Besides, other 19 newly listed traditions around the world have been added for their unique social and cultural value. Here’s India’s cultural heritage on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and a representative list of this in 2025.

India’s Cultural Heritage On Intangible Cultural Heritage Of Humanity

Year Cultural Element(s) Location/Region
2025 Deepavali India (general)
2021 Durga Puja Kolkata
2017 Kumbh Mela India (general)
2016 Nowruz India (general)
2014 Traditional brass and copper utensil-making Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab
2013 Sankirtana Manipur
2012 Buddhist chanting Ladakh
2010 Chhau dance, Kalbelia dance, Mudiyettu Rajasthan, Rajasthan, Kerala
2009 Ramman festival Garhwal
2008 Kutiyattam Sanskrit theatre, Ramlila, Vedic chanting India (general)

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Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity 2025

Cultural Element/Practice Country/Region
Amateur theatre acting in Czechia Czechia
Bagpipes and bagpipe playing: transmission of knowledge and skills Bulgaria
Behzad’s style of miniature art Afghanistan
Bisht (men’s Abaa): skills and practices Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates
Brussels’ rod marionette tradition Belgium
Christmas Bram and Sambai of Gales Point Manatee Belize
Commandaria wine Cyprus
Cuarteto: music, dance and lyrics in the city of Córdoba Argentina
Deepavali India
Family tradition circus Chile
Festivity of the Virgen of Guadalupe – Patroness of Sucre Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Gifaataa, Wolaita people New Year festival Ethiopia
Guruna, pastoral, socio-cultural and artistic retreats on livestock Chad, Cameroon
Hadrami Dan gathering Yemen
Joropo Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
Koshary, daily life dish and associated practices Egypt
Mvet Oyeng, musical art and practices of the Ekang community Gabon, Cameroon, Congo
The Confraternity of flowers and palms El Salvador
The practice of Cuban Son Cuba
The zaffa in the traditional wedding Djibouti, Comoros, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan, Mauritania, Somalia
Traditional Saree weaving art of Tangail Bangladesh

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The recognition of Deepavali in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List has become a befitting step toward celebrating and preserving cultural diversity. The global organisation not only recognises the festival as a joyous occasion but also considers its cultural practice that reinforces social bonding and cultural identity.

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