Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has written to Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking the nomination of the famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri for inscription on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In the letter dated August 1, the Chief Minister drew attention to the proposal submitted by the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA). He described the Rath Yatra as not merely a religious festival but a timeless civilisational tradition that embodies India’s rich cultural diversity, inclusivity, spirituality, craftsmanship, music, dance and community participation.
“Celebrated for centuries, it attracts millions of devotees and visitors from across the globe and stands as one of the most enduring symbols of India’s living heritage. Its inscription on UNESCO’s List would further strengthen global recognition of India’s rich intangible cultural traditions while contributing significantly to their preservation and promotion for future generations,” the letter stated.
Majhi informed that all supporting materials in the prescribed formats have already been submitted by the SJTA.
He requested the Union Minister’s personal intervention to facilitate the examination of the proposal and to extend necessary support of the Ministry of Culture for taking the nomination forward with UNESCO at the earliest.
The Chief Minister also assured that the Government of Odisha and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration would provide any further information or assistance required by the Ministry during the process.
