I ndia’s festival of lights, Diwali, was on 10 December announced as an addition to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list, sparking celebrations. The United Nations cultural agency, meeting in the Indian capital New Delhi from 9 to 11 December, is examining dozens of nominations from as many as 78 countries.
The new announcements will join UNESCO’s list of cultural heritage, whose purpose is to “raise awareness of the diversity of these traditions” and protect them in future. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement, saying the festival was “very closely linked to our culture and ethos”. As one of Hinduism’s most significant festivals, millions of Indians celebrate Diwali, also known as Deepavali, not just in India but globally.
Many people, including those from the Sikh and Jain religious communities, observe it as a five-day festival which symbolises the triumph of good over evil. The festival is also strongly associated with worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Brief History of Diwali, also known as Deepavali
Deepavali or Diwali is an Indian festival of lights. ‘Deepa’ means lamp or light and ‘Vali’ means string or row, and Deepavali means rows of lights. It celebrates the victory of good over the evil. Diwali falls on the day of ‘Amavasyaa’ or no moon day, usually in the month of October or November.
The date of celebrating Diwali is based on the movement of the moon and falls on different date every year. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. It is one of the biggest festivals of India. Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, from his 14-year-long exile after defeating the demon-king Ravana. The festival originated in the Indian subcontinent, likely a fusion of ancient Indian harvest festivals.
It is mentioned in early Sanskrit texts like the Padma Purana and the Skanda Purana, composed between the seventh and 10th centuries.
The Skanda Kishore Purana mentions diyas (lamps) as symbolizing parts of the sun, the cosmic giver of light and energy. During the seventh century, Emperor Harsha’s Sanskrit play Nagananda refers to it as Dpapratipadotsava, a time for lighting lamps and exchanging gifts between newly engaged couples.
AFP
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