Bhubaneswar: The Odisha govt has sought the Centre’s support to secure Unesco recognition for Puri’s Rath Yatra, the chief minister’s office (CMO) said on Monday.CM Mohan Charan Majhi, in a letter to Union culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday, urged his personal intervention to facilitate the nomination of the Rath Yatra for inscription on Unesco’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.Though Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee had submitted a proposal to the ministry of culture‘s joint secretary on March 20, 2025, no progress has been made since, prompting Majhi to draw Shekhawat’s attention.Majhi stated in the letter that the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is “not merely a religious festival but a timeless civilisational tradition that embodies India’s cultural diversity, inclusivity, spirituality, craftsmanship, music, dance and community participation.”He added, “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 intangible cultural traditions while contributing significantly to their preservation and promotion for future generations.”The CM noted that all supporting materials in prescribed formats have already been submitted by SJTA. “Considering the outstanding cultural significance of the festival and its universal message of harmony and human values, I request your personal intervention to kindly facilitate examination of the proposal and extend necessary support of the ministry of culture for taking the nomination forward with Unesco at the earliest,” Majhi wrote, assuring that the state govt and SJTA are prepared to provide any additional information, if required.The previous govt had first attempted to prepare a Unesco nomination in Nov 2022 by forming an advisory committee, but no formal submission was made to the ministry at that time. Last year, Padhee renewed the effort, holding discussions with ministry officials in Delhi before sending the formal proposal.“We submitted the detailed nomination dossier in the appropriate format, containing information about the Rath Yatra, including its history, cultural significance and importance,” Padhee said.According to Padhee, the festival has retained its traditional essence despite the invasion of modernity. “The exceptional craftsmanship in chariot construction remains a defining feature. Unesco recognition would help promote this living heritage globally while further strengthening community bonds,” he said.
