Odisha Seeks UNESCO World Heritage Status for Iconic Rath Yatra

Odisha Seeks UNESCO World Heritage Status for Iconic Rath Yatra

The Odisha government has renewed its efforts to secure UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the grand Rath Yatra of Puri. After a gap of three years, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has resumed the process of nominating the festival for the prestigious recognition.

The SJTA is currently preparing the nomination dossier for the Rath Yatra, which will be submitted to UNESCO through the Ministry of Culture. Arabinda Padhee, the chief administrator of the temple, confirmed that discussions with senior ministry officials have taken place in Delhi regarding this initiative.

“The SJTA is optimistic that the concerned authorities will take prompt action, given the cultural and spiritual significance of the Rath Yatra. As a globally revered pilgrimage and a key tradition of our 12th-century shrine, the festival truly deserves international recognition,” Padhee stated.

Securing UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage status would highlight Rath Yatra as an invaluable cultural tradition that needs to be preserved and promoted. As one of the most prominent religious and cultural celebrations in the world, the Rath Yatra attracts millions of devotees from across India and abroad each year.

In 2022, the Odisha government had initially initiated efforts to obtain the UNESCO tag. The Culture Department had formed an advisory committee to oversee the nomination process, and the SJTA had suggested five senior servitors to be part of the panel.

Currently, 14 cultural elements from India are inscribed in UNESCO’s Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These include diverse art forms such as music, dance, theatre, festivals, rituals, and storytelling traditions. In 2021, Kolkata’s Durga Puja was added to the list, while Chhau dance forms from Mayurbhanj (Odisha) and Purulia (West Bengal) received recognition in 2010.

With its deep-rooted cultural and religious significance, Odisha’s Rath Yatra stands as a strong contender for UNESCO’s recognition, further strengthening India’s rich heritage on the global stage.