Deepavali Gets UNESCO Tag: Intangible Cultural Heritage

Deepavali (Diwali), the festival of lights, has been added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Intergovernmental Committee announced the decision at its 20th session held at the Red Fort in New Delhi, marking the first time India has hosted a session of this UNESCO body. Moreover with Deepavali’s inclusion, India now has 16 elements on the list. (see the table)

About Deepavali/Diwali

People celebrate Deepavali on Kartik Amavasya, usually in October or November, and associate it with prosperity, renewal, and abundance for individuals and communities. In addition, the festival unfolds over five days each year, integrating ritual practices, family bonding, and community participation.

• It is a multi‑day festival, traditionally spread over five days.
• Dhanteras focuses on buying metalware as a sign of prosperity and good fortune.
• Naraka Chaturdashi emphasises lighting lamps to dispel darkness and negativity.
• The central Lakshmi Ganesha Puja is dedicated to wealth, auspiciousness, and well‑being.
• Bhai Dooj celebrates the affectionate bond between brothers and sisters.

Legends associated with Deepavali

• Epic traditions across regions embed Deepavali with enduring themes of victory, return, and renewal.
• In the Ramayana tradition, it marks the return of Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and their victory over Ravana. 
• In the Mahabharata tradition, the return of the Pandavas from exile associates Deepavali with the restoration of justice and rightful order.

UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage framework

The inscription of Deepavali takes place within the framework of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, adopted on 17 October 2003 at UNESCO’s 32nd General Conference in Paris. The Convention aims to safeguard intangible cultural heritage understood as living practices, representations, and expressions transmitted across generations within communities.

Key features of the Convention include:

• A broad definition of intangible cultural heritage, covering oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship.
• Recognition of the General Assembly of the States Parties as the sovereign body of the Convention, meeting in ordinary session every two years.
• A clear statement that the primary responsibility for identifying, safeguarding, and transmitting intangible cultural heritage lies with the States Parties, which must work with communities to protect and promote these living traditions.