New Delhi, December 10 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted UNESCO’s decision to add Deepavali (Diwali) to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, saying the recognition reflects the festival’s deep roots in India’s culture and ethos and will increase its global visibility. In a post on X, he said Deepavali is closely tied to India’s civilizational identity, embodies light and righteousness, and that the UNESCO listing will further popularize the festival worldwide. He invoked the ideals of Lord Rama as a guiding light.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also welcomed the inscription on X, calling it an acknowledgement of Deepavali’s profound cultural, religious and spiritual importance and of its capacity to bring people together.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the listing as a joyous moment, noting the festival’s links to the triumph of good over evil and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. He added that Deepavali, observed globally, coincides with the year’s final harvest and the start of a new season.
UNESCO’s official description highlights Deepavali as an annual festival of lights observed across India by diverse communities. Falling on the new moon in October or November and lasting several days, the festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Typical observances include cleaning and decorating homes and public spaces, lighting oil lamps and candles, setting off fireworks, and offering prayers for prosperity and fresh beginnings.
India already has several cultural practices on UNESCO’s lists: Ramlila (the Ramayana performance) was inscribed in 2008; the traditional brass and copper utensil craft of the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru in 2014; Yoga in 2016; Kumbh Mela in 2017; Durga Puja in Kolkata in 2021; Garba from Gujarat in 2023; and Navroz from India in 2024.
UNESCO defines intangible cultural heritage as living practices, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities recognize as part of their cultural identity. These traditions, passed down and evolving across generations, strengthen cultural continuity and foster respect for cultural diversity. To protect such heritage, UNESCO adopted the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage on October 17, 2003, in Paris, addressing concerns that globalization and social change threaten living cultural traditions.
