Overview
- Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wrote to Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on August 1 asking the Centre to personally intervene and prioritise forwarding the Puri Ratha Yatra nomination to UNESCO.
- The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has submitted supporting documents in the prescribed format and the Odisha government has offered to provide any further information requested by the Ministry of Culture.
- Majhi described the Ratha Yatra as a timeless civilisational tradition that embodies inclusivity, craftsmanship, music, dance and community participation and said UNESCO recognition would strengthen global awareness and preservation.
- Hindustan Times reported that over 50 lakh people took part in this year’s July Ratha Yatra, a figure officials cite to underline the festival’s mass participation and living heritage status.
- If the Ministry examines and forwards the nomination, UNESCO’s assessment could increase tourism interest, channel preservation funding and shape local management of rituals and crowds as part of safeguarding plans.