It’s good news for India! The festival of lights, ‘Deepavali’, has now earned global recognition. UNESCO has added it to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity 2025. PM Narendra Modi also took to his official X account to share this special news. He wrote, “People in India and around the world are thrilled.”
Deepavali Added To UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List
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… https://t.co/JxKEDsv8fT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 10, 2025
Along with 19 other cultural heritages, our own festival, Deepavali or Diwali, is now a part of the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity 2025. According to a report by The Financial Express, the announcement was made during the meeting of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee. It was held for the first time in India at Delhi’s Red Fort.
It is definitely a moment of joy for the citizens of India. After all, Deepavali is one of the most important festivals of India. It is celebrated with lights, food, and prayers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to his official X account and wrote, “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.” PM Modi also added, “May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity.”
Also Read: Dev Deepawali 2025: 25 Lakh Diyas Lit Up Varanasi Ghats On A Full Moon Night
What The UNESCO List Represents
According to a report by The Indian Express, the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity represents traditions and living expressions that are inherited from our ancestors. The list may include oral traditions, performing arts, rituals, festive events, traditional crafts, and more. Here is the complete list of 2025:
- Amateur theatre acting- Czechia
- Bagpipes and bagpipe playing- Bulgaria
- Behzad’s style of miniature art- Afghanistan
- Bisht (men’s abaa): skills and practices- Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates
- Brussels’ rod marionette tradition- Belgium
- Christmas Bran and Sambai of Gales Point Manatee- Belize
- Commandaria wine- Cyprus
- Cuarteto: music, dance and lyrics in the city of Córdoba- Argentina
- Deepavali- India
- Family tradition circus- Chile
- Festivity of the Virgen of Guadalupe- Bolivia
- Gifaataa, Wolaita people’s New Year festival- Ethiopia
- Guruna, a practice of socio-cultural and artistic retreats- Chad, Cameroon
- Hadrami Dan Gathering- Venezuela
- Koshary- Egypt
- Mvet Oyeng musical art and practice- Gabon, Cameroon, Congo
- The confraternity of flowers and palms- El Salvador
- The practice of Cuban Son- Cuba
- The zaffa in the traditional wedding- Djibouti, Comoros, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan, Mauritania, Somalia
- Traditional Saree Weaving Art of Tangail-Bangladesh
Also Read: Lucknow Is Now The UNESCO City Of Gastronomy; 5 Kebabs That Have Helped Earn Its Title
It is definitely a historic day for India. The addition to the UNESCO list will surely make Deepavali or Diwali gain worldwide recognition. It feels as if we are celebrating the festival of lights for the second time in 2025!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Debabrata Ghosh
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