Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has written to Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, seeking the Centre’s support for the nomination of the Puri Rath Yatra for inscription on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The move comes after the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA) submitted its proposal along with the required supporting documents for consideration. In the letter, the Chief Minister requested Shekhawat’s personal intervention to facilitate an early examination of the proposal and extend the Ministry of Culture’s support in taking the nomination forward with UNESCO.
Majhi described the Rath Yatra as far more than a religious festival, calling it a timeless civilisational tradition that reflects India’s cultural diversity, inclusivity, spirituality, craftsmanship, music, dance and community participation.
He noted that the centuries-old festival attracts millions of devotees and visitors from across the world every year and remains one of the strongest symbols of India’s living cultural heritage. According to the Chief Minister, inscription on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list would enhance global recognition of India’s rich cultural traditions while contributing significantly to their preservation and promotion for future generations.
The letter also states that the SJTA has already submitted all supporting materials in the prescribed format, paving the way for the proposal to be examined by the Ministry of Culture.
Emphasising the festival’s universal message of harmony and human values, Majhi appealed to the Union Minister to ensure that the nomination process is taken up on priority. He assured that the Odisha Government and the SJTA would provide any additional information or assistance required by the Ministry during the course of the process.