INTACH Puri seeks UNESCO Intangible Heritage status for Jagannath Rath Yatra

Puri: The Puri Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has urged the Centre and the Odisha government to initiate the process for securing UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) status for the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, describing the centuries-old festival as a living tradition of universal cultural significance.

The demand was raised on the occasion of the annual Rath Yatra celebrations during a press conference held in Puri on Saturday.

INTACH Puri Chapter Convener Subas Chandra Rath said that although India has 16 cultural traditions inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Jagannath Rath Yatra is yet to receive similar global recognition despite its rich history and cultural importance.

“The Rath Yatra, with its more than 800-year-old living tradition, deserves to be recognised by UNESCO. It represents not only Odisha’s heritage but also a unique cultural legacy for the entire world,” Rath said.

He noted that India’s recognised intangible heritage includes traditions such as Vedic Chanting, Ramlila, Kutiyattam, Chhau Dance, Yoga, Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja of Kolkata and Garba of Gujarat, among others.

Highlighting the uniqueness of the festival, INTACH said the Rath Yatra encompasses several intangible cultural elements, including the sacred Nabakalebara ritual, traditional chariot-building skills of the Maharanas and Bhoi Sevakas, temple crafts, devotional music and the participation of lakhs of devotees from across the world in pulling the three chariots.

Co-convener Sanjay Kumar Baral urged the State and Central governments to prepare and submit a formal nomination dossier to UNESCO through diplomatic channels.

“Rath Yatra is not just Odisha’s festival; it is a heritage of humanity. UNESCO recognition will help preserve, document and promote this living tradition globally,” he said.

The chapter also announced plans to launch a statewide awareness campaign, document oral traditions associated with the festival and organise workshops in schools and colleges to build public support for the UNESCO nomination.

Heritage experts, scholars and INTACH members present at the event extended their support to the proposal and appealed to devotees, citizens and heritage enthusiasts to join the campaign for securing global recognition for the Jagannath Rath Yatra.

INTACH Puri Chapter also informed that it has organised an exhibition of Gaja-Lok, a national heritage project of INTACH, in Puri on the occasion of the Rath Yatra festivities.