Deepavali Inscribed on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, India Marks Cultural Milestone

Deepavali Becomes UNESCO Intangible Heritage — India Celebrates at Viksit Delhi Summit

During the summit “Viksit Delhi | Viksit Tourism & Hospitality: Together Towards a Viksit Bharat,” held at Le Méridien, the Government of NCT of Delhi today announced that India’s festival of lights, Deepavali, has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Chief Guest Smt made the announcement. Rekha Gupta, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt. Of NCT of Delhi. This inclusion marks a significant moment for India’s cultural heritage on the global stage. The summit, co-hosted by the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) and the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI), brought together government officials, hospitality professionals, cultural advocates and tourism stakeholders. The decision affirmed India’s commitment to promoting its intangible traditions and highlighting Deepavali’s living legacy as a festival that spans communities, generations and continents.

What the UNESCO Listing Means

Deepavali is now part of a select group of Indian traditions recognised by UNESCO. The festival’s inclusion underscores that cultural heritage extends beyond monuments and tangible artefacts: it encompasses living traditions such as rituals, social practices, festive events, crafts, music, food, and community celebrations passed down through generations.

UNESCO describes intangible cultural heritage as traditions that are “living, inclusive, representative and community-based,” playing a key role in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of globalisation and fostering intercultural dialogue.

With its festivities, public rituals, social gatherings, art, music, lighting of diyas, rangoli, sweets, collective prayers and community feasts, Deepavali embodies that spirit; a concoction of rituals and shared memories celebrated across regions and worldwide.

As part of India’s nomination for 2025, Deepavali was one of 67 submissions reviewed by the 20th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), currently being held at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi, the first time India has hosted the session.

India’s Growing UNESCO Legacy

With Deepavali’s inclusion, India’s count of intangible heritage elements recognised by UNESCO rises. Earlier entries include the Vedic chanting tradition, Ramlila, yoga, Garba dance, Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja, Chhau and Kalbelia dances, the metal-craft tradition of the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Buddhist chanting of Ladakh, and others.

This recognition underscores India’s cultural diversity, the depth of its living traditions, and the resilience of its social practices, which have survived for centuries, evolving while preserving their essence.

Celebrations and Cultural Diplomacy in the Capital

The announcement in New Delhi anticipates city-wide celebrations. Ahead of the session, the Union culture ministry urged the Delhi government to illuminate major monuments, decorate public buildings with diyas and rangoli, and host cultural performances and exhibitions to mark Deepavali’s inclusion and showcase India’s heritage to delegates from more than 180 countries.

As City Chief Minister, Gupta reaffirmed the government’s support for preserving living heritage, promoting tourism, and collaborating with public and private stakeholders to amplify India’s cultural narrative globally.

What This Listing Means for Travellers and Cultural Tourism

For travellers exploring India, Deepavali’s new status offers an opportunity not only to witness a centuries-old festival but also to experience its rich cultural heritage, with UNESCO recognition adding global significance. Cities and towns across India, especially those traditionally associated with Deepavali celebrations, may expect increased attention, cultural tourism interest and preservation efforts.

International visitors keen on cultural exploration may now prioritise Deepavali celebrations, which have been transformed into a global heritage event. This provides fresh context for festival-based travel, from lighting diyas and sharing festive meals to witnessing regional rituals that reflect India’s pluralism.

For tourism and hospitality sectors, this opens avenues to build curated festival-travel itineraries: heritage walks, traditional craft workshops, folklore storytelling, community feasts, and immersive cultural stays orchestrated around Deepavali.

Cultural Vision for the Future

Deepavali’s inclusion on the UNESCO list reinforces the importance of intangible cultural heritage — not only as tradition, but as a living practice that binds communities across generations. As global awareness grows, the responsibility to safeguard, respect and transmit heritage becomes more significant.

For India, this moment presents the opportunity to showcase its culture on a global platform, strengthen heritage tourism, and reaffirm the spirit of unity in diversity that festivals like Deepavali embody.

India’s evolving heritage-tourism initiatives and festival celebrations are driving growing global engagement with India’s living cultural traditions.