Archive · 14 Dec 2025
Diwali Added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List
Diwali, the festival of lights, has been added to UNESCO's list of important cultural traditions.
This list includes practices and traditions that are passed down through generations and are important for cultural diversity.
Diwali is now recognized as a significant cultural expression.
This recognition helps to protect and promote the festival, encourages tourism, and supports the artisans who keep its traditions alive.
India has 16 elements on this list, including the Kumbh Mela and Yoga.
UNESCO also has a program to protect important documents and manuscripts, like the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra, which were recently added to their list.
Diwali has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for 2025.
The list includes living traditions, skills, and expressions passed down through generations.
India now has 16 elements on the list, including the Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja, Garba, Yoga, Vedic Chanting, and Ramlila.
The recognition aims to protect and promote Diwali, encourage tourism, and support artisans.
UNESCO’s Memory of the World (MoW) Programme recently added manuscripts of the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra to its register.
- Who
- UNESCO
- What
- Inclusion of Diwali in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
- When
- 2025
- Where
- Global recognition
- Why
- To ensure better protection of important intangible cultural heritages and spread awareness of their significance
- Festival
- Diwali
- UNESCO List
- Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
- Year of Inscription
- 2025
- UNESCO's Objective
- To protect and preserve important intangible cultural heritages
- India's Current Elements on the List
- 16
- Other Indian Elements on the List
- Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja, Garba, Yoga, Vedic Chanting, Ramlila
- Next Nomination
- Bihar’s Chhat Puja
- UNESCO's Memory of the World (MoW) Programme
- Aims to safeguard, protect, and facilitate access to documentary heritage