Durga Puja

Durga Puja

Part of: Prelims and GS-I -Culture

Context The 16th Committee of UNESCO for safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) has inscribed DURGA PUJA in KOLKATA on the representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

• This is the 1st festival in Asia to achieve recognition as UNESCO ICH of Humanity.

About Durga Puja

• Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival originating in the Indian subcontinent which reveres and pays homage to the Hindu goddess Durga.
• It is also celebrated because of Durga’s victory over Mahishasur. 
• It is observed in the Indian calendar month of Ashwin, which corresponds to September–October 
• It is a ten-day festival.

About UNESCO’s list of intangible culture

• It is an annual list which focuses on those forms of performing art which are of outstanding value but are vulnerable due to lack of support.
• Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted in 2003. India ratified it in 2007.
• In total, 14 Intangible Cultural Heritage elements from India have now been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List.
• This list is made up of those intangible heritage elements that help demonstrate diversity of cultural heritage and raise awareness about its importance.
• The Ministry of Culture has also launched the draft National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India