Deepavali added to UNESCO intangible heritage list

Festival of lights, Deepavali, enters the UNESCO intangible heritage, in an event at the Red Fort, its inscription was adopted. Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, representatives of UNESCO, and senior officials attended the event. 

Deepavali enters the UNESCO intangible heritage list 

• Festival of Lights, Deepavali, an Indian Festival, has been added to the list of UNESCO intangible heritage. It is a tribute and a mark of respect for millions of people who celebrate it with devotion, and artisans who utilise their skills to enhance the beauty of the festival. The organisation took to social media and announced it. 

“New inscription on the #IntangibleHeritage List: Deepavali, #India

Congratulations!”

• To celebrate the decision, an event was conducted at the Red Fort, which was attended by several prominent people, such as the Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, representatives of UNESCO, delegates from 194 member states,  international experts, and some of the senior officials. 

pic.twitter.com/G9Ntb6eKW0

— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) December 10, 2025

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, People in India and around the world are thrilled. 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 addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List will contribute to the festival’s global popularity even further. May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity.
• Union Minister of Culture posted on X, “The day Diwali was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List became a celebration as joyous as the festival of lights. It was a great pleasure to participate in the ‘SAMSKRITI – A Celebration of Culture’ ceremony at the historic Red Fort, in the presence of the Honourable Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs Rekha Gupta, India's Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Mr Vishal V. Sharma, and the Chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Mrs Sandhya Puraicha.” 
• Shekhawat posted images from the event on his account and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his contributions as the leader. “The way the illustrious Prime Minister,  Mr @narendramodi, has united culture and heritage with India's identity in the present day will be cited as an example for many centuries to come. This is his contribution, one that was never even conceived of before him: that the nation's culture could be presented in such a way as to leave the world astonished, amazed, and so profoundly impressed as to inspire emulation.”

There are 16 elements from India that find their place in the list of UNESCO intangible heritage :-

Deepavali

Garba

Durga Puja

Kumbh Mela

Yoga

Traditional Brass and Copper Craft of Punjab (Thatheras)

Sankirtana

Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh

Chhau Dance

Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dance

Mudiyettu

Ramman

Kutiyattam

Vedic Chanting

Ramlila

Novruz

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