


{"id":77313,"date":"2025-12-10T17:24:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T11:54:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=77313"},"modified":"2025-12-10T17:24:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T11:54:13","slug":"deepavali-inscribed-on-unescos-intangible-cultural-heritage-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/deepavali-inscribed-on-unescos-intangible-cultural-heritage-list\/","title":{"rendered":"Deepavali Inscribed on UNESCO\u2019S Intangible Cultural Heritage list"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Why in News?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s Deepavali has recently been inscribed on UNESCO\u2019s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/unesco-world-heritage-sites-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>UNESCO<\/strong><\/a> Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity highlights and preserves living cultural traditions, practices, and expressions that communities value as part of their identity.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recognises and safeguards <\/span><b>living cultural traditions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> practised by communities worldwide.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aims to promote <\/span><b>cultural diversity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, identity, and continuity of heritage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourages <\/span><b>international cooperation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for preserving intangible cultural heritage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Includes <\/span><b>festivals, rituals, performing arts, traditional crafts, oral traditions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and community practices.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helps raise <\/span><b>global awareness<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> about the importance of protecting cultural knowledge and traditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensures that these heritage elements are <\/span><b>transmitted to future generations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sustainably.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>India\u2019s Cultural Heritage on UNESCO\u2019s List<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16 India\u2019s Cultural Heritage on UNESCO\u2019s List have been tabulated below, along with the year of inscription and description for each cultural heritage.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 95.7911%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 94.654%;\" colspan=\"4\"><b>India\u2019s Cultural Heritage on UNESCO\u2019s List<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 3.20641%;\"><b>No.<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 19.0104%;\"><b>Heritage Element<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 9.6957%;\"><b>Year<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 62.7415%;\"><b>Description<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deepawali<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2025<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deepawali (Diwali) is a major Hindu festival symbolising the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is celebrated with lamps, prayers, sweets, and family gatherings, marking joy, prosperity, and new beginnings.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nawrouz<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2024<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A traditional spring festival celebrating nature, the sun, the universe, renewal, and harmony. Marked by rituals that symbolize rebirth and the arrival of spring across Asia.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Garba of Gujarat<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2023<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A ritualistic and devotional dance performed during Navaratri to worship feminine energy (Shakti). Danced in circles, symbolizing creation and cosmic rhythm.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Durga Puja in Kolkata<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2021<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An annual festival celebrating Goddess Durga, marked by elaborate artistic pandals, rituals, cultural performances, and mass community participation.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kumbh Mela<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2017<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world, where devotees take a holy dip in sacred rivers believing it cleanses sin and leads to spiritual merit.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yoga<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2016<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An ancient Indian philosophy and physical\u2013spiritual discipline influencing health, meditation, education, and holistic well-being in society.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditional brass &amp; copper utensil-making of the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2014<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A traditional craft involving hand-making brass and copper utensils using age-old techniques, metallurgy skills, and community-based craftsmanship.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sankirtana of Manipur<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2013<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ritual singing, drumming, and dancing performed during religious ceremonies and life-cycle events of the Vaishnava community of Manipur.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2012<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recitation of sacred Buddhist texts by lamas, reflecting the teachings, philosophy, and spiritual tradition of the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kalbelia Folk Songs &amp; Dances of Rajasthan<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2010<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditional songs and dances of the Kalbelia community, evoking their history as snake charmers through fluid movements and distinct music.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chhau Dance<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2010<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A dance-drama tradition depicting episodes from epics, folklore, and abstract themes, performed in three distinct regional styles in eastern India.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mudiyettu \u2013 Ritual Theatre of Kerala<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2010<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A community-based ritual theatre depicting the mythological battle between Goddess Kali and demon Darika, performed by entire villages.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ramman Festival of Garhwal<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2009<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An annual religious festival combining theatre, ritual, and dance to honor the local deity Bhumiyal Devta in Uttarakhand\u2019s Garhwal region.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tradition of Vedic Chanting<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2008<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the oldest oral traditions, preserving Sanskrit hymns, philosophical verses, and ritual incantations passed down for over 3,500 years.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ramlila \u2013 Traditional Performance of the Ramayana<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2008<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A dramatic folk re-enactment of Lord Rama\u2019s life from the Ramayana, performed with song, narration, dialogue, and community participation.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 3.20641%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0104%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kutiyattam \u2013 Sanskrit Theatre<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 9.6957%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2008<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 62.7415%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 2,000-year-old classical theatre form of Kerala, blending Sanskrit drama, elaborate gestures, acting styles, and temple rituals.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Deepawali (Diwali)<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deepawali, commonly known as Diwali, is one of India\u2019s most important festivals symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Celebrated with lamps (diyas), prayers, family gatherings, sweets, and fireworks, it marks a time of spiritual renewal and cultural unity.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Different Forms of Deepawali in North and South India<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>1. Deepawali in North India<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celebrated to mark <\/span><b>Lord Rama\u2019s return to Ayodhya<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after defeating Ravana.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homes and streets are decorated with <\/span><b>rows of lamps (diyas)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to welcome Rama.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People perform <\/span><b>Lakshmi Puja<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for prosperity and wealth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Major rituals include lighting lamps, fireworks, exchanging sweets, and playing traditional games.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North India celebrates Diwali as a <\/span><b>five-day festival<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>2. Deepawali in South India<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Primarily associated with <\/span><b>Lord Krishna\u2019s victory over Narakasura<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, celebrated as <\/span><b>Naraka Chaturdashi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People wake up early, apply <\/span><b>oil baths<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and light lamps to symbolize the destruction of evil.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celebrations begin <\/span><b>a day earlier<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> than in North India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Temples hold special rituals, and homes are decorated with <\/span><b>kolam<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (rangoli-style designs).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firecrackers are burst early in the morning, and traditional sweets and meals are prepared.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Deepavali added to UNESCO\u2019s Intangible Cultural Heritage list for its cultural significance, diverse rituals, rich traditions, and widespread community celebrations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":77343,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[4134],"class_list":{"0":"post-77313","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-deepavali-inscribed-on-unescos-intangible-cultural-heritage-list","9":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77313"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77313\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77343"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}