UNESCO Adds Deepavali to Intangible Cultural Heritage List

• 13 Dec 2025

Why in News? 

Deepavali, the festival of lights, has been added to UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as announced during the 20th UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee session held at Red Fort in New Delhi from 8th-13th December 2025. 

• It is the first time India is hosting the ICH Committee session, organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Sangeet Natak Akademi.  
• The event marks a key moment in India’s cultural diplomacy, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of India’s ratification of the 2003 UNESCO Convention. 

Key Points 

About Deepavali 

• Deepavali: Celebrated on Kartik Amavasya (October–November), Deepavali symbolises light over darkness, hope over despair and renewal and prosperity. 
• Significance of Deepavali’s Inclusion: UNESCO’s inscription acknowledges Deepavali as a living heritage that strengthens social bonds, supports traditional craftsmanship, reinforces values of generosity and well-being. 
  • Deepavali contributes meaningfully to several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 11 (sustainable communities). 

About Intangible Cultural Heritage 

• Intangible Cultural Heritage: UNESCO defines intangible heritage as living traditions inherited across generations, including oral traditions, performing arts, rituals, festive events, social practices, knowledge of nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship that communities continue to recreate and safeguard. 
• Nominations: To add an element to UNESCO’s ICH Representative List, states must submit a nomination file, with one nomination allowed every two years.  
  • India nominated the Deepavali festival for the 2024–25 cycle.  
• List: The list was created under the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. 
  • It aims to protect living cultural traditions threatened by globalisation, promote awareness, respect and cultural diversity, and support community-led safeguarding of rituals, festivals, oral traditions and traditional craftsmanship.

India’s UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List  

• Garba of Gujarat (2023) 
• Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021) 
• Kumbh Mela (2017) 
• Yoga (2016) 
• Nowruz (2016) 
• Traditional brass and copper utensil-making by the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014) 
• Sankirtana of Manipur (2013) 
• Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (2012) 
• Chhau dance, Kalbelia dance of Rajasthan, and Mudiyettu of Kerala (2010) 
• Ramman festival of Garhwal Himalayas, India (2009) 
• Kutiyattam Sanskrit theatre, Ramlila, and Tradition of Vedic chanting (2008).