Deepavali, the festival of lights, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held at the Red Fort, New Delhi. The inscription has been made under the domain titled Social practices, rituals and festive events in the presence of delegates from 194 member states, international experts, and representatives of UNESCO’s global network. With the official inscription of the Indian festival on the list, India has added another feather to its cap. Prior to this, several other Indian traditions and handicraft, including the popular Kumbh Mela, Ramlila (the traditional play that depicts the epic of the Ramayana), Kolkata’s Durga Puja, Navroz, Vedic Chanting Traditions, Gujarat’s Garba Dance, the Thatheras’ Brass and Copper Craft, Yoga, etc., had been recognised by the UNESCO. In total, there are 16 elements of India on the list.
India hosted the annual meeting of the committee for the first time from December 8 to 13, 2025. This 20th session, i.e., 20.COM, of the committee was headed by ambassador and permanent delegate of India to UNESCO, H.E. Vishal V. Sharma. In addition to this session, there were a number of side events and exhibitions held at the Red Fort. These were based on preserving living heritage.
About the Convention
It was in 2003 that the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted by UNESCO during its 32nd General Conference held in Paris. The main objective of this convention was to safeguard intangible cultural heritage of different communities, which has been passed down from generation to generation and is constantly recreated by communities in response to their environment, history, and social conditions.
For implementing the convention, UNESCO organises a meeting of member states and cultural institutions every year. The role of the committee in implementing the convention includes following best practices in examining nominations, suggesting measures for preservation, and supervising finances obtained from global entities as well as administering the Convention Fund.
In 2005, India gave its consent for the convention and has since played an active role in the preservation of community-based traditions. With its vast diversity of festivals, performing arts, crafts, oral traditions, and knowledge systems, India continues to contribute significantly to global discussions on the future of living heritage.
Meaning of Intangible Cultural Heritage
According to UNESCO, cultural heritage does not end with monuments and artefacts. It also encompasses living traditions, verbal skills, and expression inherited from one generation to another over the course of time. These living traditions include rituals, festive practices, specialised knowledge, traditional craftsmanship, theatrical arts, oral traditions, as well as community understandings concerning nature and the universe—all of which serve as markers with which the communities identify themselves.
Importance of Intangible Cultural Heritage
UNESCO recognises that cultural diversity is increasingly under threat due to globalisation, rapid social change, and the triple planetary crisis, i.e., biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. It is the need of the hour that the valuable intangible heritage must be preserved so that our cultural diversity can be upheld. Intangible heritage allows sharing of traditional practices among different communities, which promotes dialogue, builds mutual respect, and strengthens social unity, thereby supporting universal brotherhood.
UNESCO further emphasises that intangible heritage is significant, as it passes down the knowledge, identity, and skills from one generation to another and not merely the cultural practice. This transition benefits minority groups as well as mainstream communities, and it is equally significant for both developing and developed nations.
Characteristics of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Intangible cultural heritage should have the following characteristics. They must be
- inclusive: When certain practices are shared among different regions or cultures, they may or may not be inherited. Such practices are considered to be intangible heritage only when they are transmitted across generations and when they strengthen the identity of a community.
- traditional and contemporary: If certain customs are inherited or traditional along with being evolving in accordance with modern life both in rural and urban parts of a country, they are considered as intangible cultural heritage.
- representative: A tradition to be an intangible cultural heritage need not be exceptional or exclusive. Instead, whether a tradition forms part of such heritage is determined by the communities representing that tradition.
- based on a community: If a community regards a certain practice as its heritage, such a practice can be considered intangible cultural heritage.
Why Deepavali is Considered Intangible Cultural Heritage
Intangible cultural heritage involves the living traditions that adapt to changing circumstances while promoting cultural continuity and diversity. This aspect is reflected by Deepavali, which symbolises the sense of peace, renewal, and joy. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy all over the country as well as the global diaspora.
From the perspective of UNESCO, the festival of Deepavali also marks the transition of seasons and the completion of agricultural cycles in many regions. Celebrated on Kartik Amavasya, a new moon day, usually in October or November, the festival involves preparatory rituals such as cleaning homes, decorating spaces, and lighting diyas and candles. Lighting diyas indicate that light wins over darkness, i.e., good always triumphs over evil.
Profound Impact of Deepavali
The festival of Deepavali represents renewal, unity, and social cohesion. The practices associated with the festival have demonstrated the ability to evolve with time and adapt across regions and borders, while retaining their core values. Although its transmission occurs informally, it remains deeply rooted and resilient. This transmission takes place through:
- Elders imparting knowledge to children by performing rituals and by the act of story-telling
- Gathering of communities on the occasion of the festival in schools and places of worship
- Using digital platforms to document and share traditions
With the festival of Deepavali, not only local economies are benefitted, but also creative expression of the people gets an outlet and is nurtured. At the same time, the festival advocates values of generosity, gratitude, charity, and social responsibility, with many communities engaging in food distribution, donations, and outreach to vulnerable groups.
The recognition of Deepavali as intangible heritage by UNESCO highlights the different aspects of the festival, which include supporting traditional craftsmanship, deepening social ties, and working towards attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including cultural education, gender equality through inclusive participation, livelihood generation, community welfare, and social well-being.
According to the Ministry of Culture, this recognition will enhance the global visibility of Deepavali and strengthen the efforts to preserve community-based traditions for future generations. The ministry further emphasised that the honour is a crucial milestone in promoting the cultural identity of the country.
Conclusion
The recognition of Deepavali on the UNESCO’s Representative List highlights that the festival is extremely important culturally, spiritually and religiously. It also underscores how the festival brings people together. The festival symbolises the unity and diversity of the Indian diaspora across the world and affirms a shared human identity rooted in the timeless ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the belief that the world is one family.
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