TV
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has begun the process of securing UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage tag for the world-famous Puri Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, that draws millions of devotees from across the country and the globe.
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Cultural Heritage Nomination:
According to official reports, the SJTA is preparing the nomination dossier that will be submitted soon. During his recent visit to Delhi, SJTA Chief Administrator Aravinda Padhee discussed the matter with officials from the Union Ministry of Culture and sought their support. The discussions were reportedly positive, and the concerned authorities are expected to take swift action. The Srimandir administration remains hopeful for an early resolution of the process.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration hopes that gaining this esteemed status will not only honour the festival's legacy but also draw attention to India's rich tapestry of cultural and religious traditions on a wider global scale.
Also Read: Puri Rath Yatra to vie for UNESCO ‘Intangible Heritage’ tag; Advisory committee to be formed
About Puri Rath Yatra:
Lakhs of devotees and pilgrims from different corners of the world throng Puri to witness the Rath Yatra every year. The uniqueness of this annual festival is that Lord Jagannath and his siblings –Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra come out of their sanctum sanctorum once in a year so that His devotees belonging to different religious faiths can have a darshan of them.
It is worth mentioning that Kolkata Durga Puja and Kumbh Mela among others have been inscribed on the Representative List of ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’.
