Puri: The Puri Chapter of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) on Sunday demanded that the Centre and State Government to initiate immediate steps to secure UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition for the Rath Jatra of Lord Jagannath.
Addressing the media here, Convener of INTACH Puri Chapter Subas Chandra Rath said while 16 elements of India’s intangible heritage have so far been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List, the world-famous Rath Jatra of Puri is yet to find a place despite its universal significance. “India has already received global recognition for 16 living traditions including Vedic Chanting, Ramleela, Kutiyattam, Mudiyettu, Kalbelia folk songs, Chhau Dance, Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh, Manipur’s Sankirtana, Traditional Brass and Copper Craft of Punjab, Yoga, Nawruz, Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja in Kolkata, Garba of Gujarat, and the Craftsmanship of Ramman Festival. The Rath Jatra of Puri, with its 800-year-old living tradition, deserves to be the next,” he demanded.
The chapter highlighted that Rath Jatra embodies unique intangible elements — the sacred rituals of Nabakalebara, the traditional chariot-making skills of Maharanas and Bhoi Sevakas, devotional music, temple crafts, and the mass pulling of chariots by devotees cutting across caste, creed, and nationality.
Sanjay Kumar Baral , co-convener of the chapter, urged both the State and Central governments to take up the matter at the diplomatic level and submit a formal nomination dossier to UNESCO authorities. “Rath Jatra is not just Odisha’s festival, it is a heritage of humanity. UNESCO recognition will help in its documentation, protection, and global promotion,” he added.
The INTACH Puri Chapter, formed in May 2026, has resolved to launch a statewide awareness campaign, documentation of oral traditions, and workshops in schools and colleges to build public support for the nomination.
Prominent heritage experts, scholars and life members of INTACH present on the occasion extended full support to the demand. The chapter appealed to citizens, devotees and heritage lovers to join the movement and raise their voice for global recognition of “Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath’s Rath Jatra – A Heritage of Humanity.”