Diwali has been added to UNESCO’s Representative List, recognising its significance
Festivals, whether Diwali, Christmas or Eid, are meant to be celebrated by all communities. Their aim is to strengthen the social fabric and unite people. Diwali, the festival of lights, is a major celebration of the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Over a period of time, it has become a universal festival, one that not only illuminates places but also lives.
Diwali has now been officially added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscription, announced on December 1, recognises the festival’s deep cultural significance and its role in strengthening community bonds across India and the world. The decision is a fitting global tribute to this ancient Hindu festival.
The decision taken during a key meeting of UNESCO hosted at the Red Fort in Delhi – which is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site – has rightfully sparked celebrations to mark the earning of this coveted tag. To include an element on UNESCO’s particular list, the nations must submit a nomination dossier for evaluation. Each country can nominate one element every two years. India nominated the ‘Deepavali’ festival for the 2024-25 cycle.
The inscription was adopted in the presence of Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and delegates from 194 member states as well as international experts. Shekhawat stated that Diwali embodies the universal message of ‘Tamso Ma Jyotirgamaya’ the transition from darkness to light, symbolising hope, renewal, and harmony. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintained that “For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness.”
The UNESCO, in its decision, said that “Deepavali embodies universal values such as hope, renewal, and the triumph of good over evil,” while also highlighting the artistic and craft traditions associated with the celebration, including diya-making, rangoli, festive foods, and other community rituals. The organisation noted that millions across faiths observe the festival, making it “a shared cultural expression of global importance.” In response, the government of India, which submitted the related nomination, welcomed the recognition, calling it a moment of pride that reinforces the country’s rich cultural identity.
Diwali now joins other Indian entries on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list. It is the sixteenth element from the country to be inscribed on the particular list. The other fifteen elements include Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja of Kolkata, Garba dance of Gujarat, Yoga, the tradition of Vedic chanting, and Ramlila, the traditional performance of the epic Ramayana, among others. It is indeed an honour for all the Indians that their cultural and traditional legacies are being recognised universally. It is a different matter that the festival of light has been celebrated world over for a long time now. It is even celebrated at the White House, the highest seat of power in the world. For India, Diwali is far more than an annual festival. It is a living tradition woven into the emotional and cultural fabric of countless men and women representing the soul of the country. Every year, as lamps begin to glow across cities and distant villages, the festival rekindles a familiar sense of joy, renewal, and connection. The inscribing of Diwali on UNESCO’s list, however, should not remain a mere achievement, but this living tradition must be continuously carried forward by various communities in the society across generations, thus supporting social cohesion and contributing to social development.
