Puri Rath Yatra: Odisha CM writes to Centre for UNESCO heritage tag

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has formally requested the nomination of the Rath Yatra of Shree Jagannath in Puri for inscription on UNESCO's List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In a letter addressed to Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday, Mr. Majhi described the festival as a timeless civilisational tradition that embodies India's cultural diversity, inclusivity, spirituality, craftsmanship, and community participation.

The Chief Minister sought the Centre's intervention to examine a proposal already submitted by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri, which had recommended the Rath Yatra for the UNESCO honour. He emphasised that the festival, celebrated for centuries, attracts millions of devotees and visitors from around the world and stands as one of the most enduring symbols of India's living heritage.

Mr. Majhi stated that inscribing the Rath Yatra on UNESCO's list would strengthen global recognition of India's rich intangible cultural traditions and contribute significantly to their preservation and promotion for future generations. He assured the Union Minister that the Odisha government and the SJTA would provide any further information or assistance required during the nomination process.

However, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has criticised the move, calling the Chief Minister's letter a “publicity-oriented exercise” aimed at diverting attention from alleged failures in the organisation of the Rath Yatra. BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said the State government had failed to conduct the sacred festival flawlessly over the past three years, citing stampedes, lapses in rituals, and other disruptions.

Mr. Mohanty also referred to an incident where an idol of Lord Balabhadra slipped during the Pahandi procession, which led to a government-ordered inquiry. He noted that the inquiry report has not been made public, and argued that despite annual promises of a flawless festival, unfortunate incidents continue to occur.

The Rath Yatra, an annual chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, is one of India's most significant religious festivals. It has been celebrated in Puri for centuries and holds deep cultural and spiritual importance for millions. UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list recognises traditions, rituals, and practices that are considered vital to the world's cultural diversity.