Diwali in World Cultural Heritage list 

December 13, 2025

Recently, UNESCO has begun the process of declaring India’s cultural milestones as World Heritage Sites. The latest news is that this Wednesday, UNESCO declared Diwali a World Heritage Site. It should be noted that 15 other Indian folk festivals have already been included in the World Heritage List.

These include Durga Puja, Kumbh Mela, Mantra Chanting, Ramlila, and Chhau Dance. Now, Diwali has also become an intangible World Heritage Site. This declaration was made at the 20th meeting of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee held in New Delhi. As soon as UNESCO announced the inclusion of Diwali in the Cultural Heritage List, slogans of Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata Ki Jai resounded.
This declaration has been welcomed across the country and is considered a major achievement. Every Indian is proud of UNESCO’s declaration because Diwali, which symbolises the transition from darkness to light, has been included in the world history of cultural heritage. Diwali teaches every individual to uphold their own dignity. Today, when indecent behaviour is becoming prevalent worldwide, the global recognition of a festival like Diwali in India as a heritage festival sends a message of dignity not only to India but to the entire world.
Diwali symbolises the victory of decency over deceit. Diwali is also significant because it conveys the unblemished journey of Ramrajya to the entire world, embracing the need for all sections of society to unite and celebrate the festival with enthusiasm, forgetting the differences between high and low, and the rich and the poor. Now that UNESCO has recognised Diwali as a World Heritage Site, the responsibility of the citizens of India has increased even more.
Diwali should be celebrated in a civilised manner globally, and especially in India. From explosive firecrackers to gambling, such practices should not be used to introduce world heritage sites with such low standards. Indian festivals, customs, and traditions are respected worldwide. The sacred festival of Diwali is also included in this tradition. The Indian public should fulfil their responsibility and set an example by celebrating Diwali in a more sacred and safe manner.