Deepavali gets inscribed on UNESCO’S Intangible Cultural Heritage list

Deepavali, the globally cherished festival of lights, has achieved a significant milestone by being officially inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This proud announcement was made on Wednesday during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), which India is hosting for the first time at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi. This inclusion marks the 16th element from India to receive this prestigious recognition, joining traditions like the Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja, and Yoga.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed the decision, stating that people in India and around the world are thrilled. He emphasized that Deepavali is closely linked to India's culture and ethos, representing "the very soul of our civilisation." The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the UNESCO tag will further contribute to the festival's global popularity and spread its message of illumination and righteousness across the world.

The festival, also known as Diwali, is the most widely celebrated Hindu festival in India, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. The decision to include Deepavali was adopted in the presence of international delegates and cultural representatives from 194 member states. The inscription also includes cultural symbols from several other countries in this cycle, such as Ghana, Georgia, Congo, Ethiopia, and Egypt, underscoring the diversity of global intangible heritage.