The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a global agency committed to building peace and security through international cooperation in education, science, and culture. Its mission is to foster understanding among nations, safeguard humanity’s shared heritage, and address global challenges such as inequality, sustainability, and climate change through knowledge, dialogue, and collaboration.

In 2008, UNESCO recognised the ancient tradition of Vedic chanting — as practised in the Soma Yagna — as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This honour acknowledges the profound spiritual, linguistic, and cultural value of Vedic knowledge, ensuring its preservation, transmission, and global appreciation. It celebrates the living legacy of India’s sacred oral tradition and its contribution to universal harmony and collective wellbeing.

By taking part in the London Soma Yagna, you are:

• Joining one of the world’s oldest spiritual and cultural traditions, rooted in over 2,000 years of Vedic wisdom.

• Experiencing the authentic sound of ancient Vedic mantras, performed with precision and devotion by learned Brahmin priests.

• Supporting the preservation of a UNESCO-recognised heritage, helping ensure its continuity and relevance in the modern world