Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has formally urged the Union Minister of Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, to support the nomination of the Ratha Yatra of Shree Jagannatha, Puri, for inscription on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In a letter dated August 1, the Chief Minister highlighted that the Ratha Yatra is not merely a religious festival but a timeless civilisational tradition reflecting India’s cultural diversity, inclusivity, spirituality, craftsmanship, music, dance, and community participation. He noted that the festival, celebrated for centuries, attracts millions of devotees and visitors from across the world and stands as one of India’s most enduring symbols of living heritage.
Majhi stated that the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA) has already submitted all supporting materials in the prescribed format for consideration. He sought the Ministry’s intervention to expedite the examination of the proposal and extend necessary support to advance the nomination with UNESCO.
“The inscription of Ratha Yatra on UNESCO’s list will further strengthen global recognition of India’s intangible cultural traditions,” the Chief Minister wrote, expressing gratitude for the Centre’s cooperation in taking the proposal forward on priority.
