The festival of lights, Deepavali, has been formally added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The international recognition was made public during the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage's current session, which is being held from December 8 to 13 in Delhi's iconic Red Fort.
In a post on Wednesday, UNESCO congratulated India on the new inscription. Deepavali is now part of a wide range of cultural customs from nations including Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Georgia, and the Congo.
The X decision was applauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described it as a moment of pride for India and Indians throughout.

He claimed that Deepavali, which represents illumination, morality, and the civilizational ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram, is closely linked to the country's cultural character. He noted that the acknowledgment will increase the festival's appeal on a global scale.
The development was also praised by Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who stated that Deepavali has been celebrated for generations and has great emotional meaning for Indians. He emphasized that the festival must be preserved and safeguarded as a "living heritage" because of the UNESCO designation.
Notably, Vishal V. Sharma, India's ambassador to UNESCO, will preside over the Intangible Cultural Heritage session in 2025.