Will the world famous Puri Rath Yatra become a UNESCO cultural heritage? INTACH wrote letter to Central and Odisha government

Bhubaneswar. The Puri chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has urged the Central Government and the Government of Odisha to soon start the process of including the historic Puri Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in the UNESCO list of ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’.

INTACH Puri Chapter Convenor Subas Chandra Rath said in a press conference that 16 cultural traditions of India have got a place in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, but the nearly 800 year old Puri Rath Yatra has still not been included in this global list. He described it as an important symbol of India’s vibrant and unique cultural heritage.

He said that Rath Yatra is not just a religious event, but a confluence of many traditional styles and cultural traditions. It includes the Nabakalebar ritual, the traditional art of chariot making by the Maharana and Bhoi servants, devotional music, temple art, religious rituals and the tradition of pulling the chariot by millions of devotees without any discrimination of caste, religion or nationality.

Describing the Rath Yatra as a ‘heritage of humanity’, INTACH Puri chapter co-convenor Sanjay Kumar Baral urged the state and central governments to submit a nomination document to UNESCO through proper channels. He said, “Recognition by UNESCO will not only give global recognition to this festival but will also strengthen efforts for its documentation, preservation and promotion at the international level.”

INTACH Puri Chapter, formed in May 2026, has announced to conduct a statewide public awareness campaign for this purpose. Under this, the oral traditions associated with the Rath Yatra will be documented and public support will be mobilized for UNESCO nomination through workshops in schools and colleges.

This initiative has been supported by many experts, scholars associated with heritage conservation and life members of INTACH. He also appealed to the devotees and cultural heritage lovers to actively participate in this campaign.

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