Archive · 3 Aug 2026
Odisha CM Urges UNESCO Status for Puri Rath Yatra
The Puri Rath Yatra is a big festival in India that has been celebrated for many years.
The chief minister of the state of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, wants the world’s UNESCO organization to recognize it as an important cultural tradition.
He says the festival shows how people from different backgrounds can come together.
The temple that runs the festival has already sent all the needed papers to UNESCO.
If UNESCO agrees, the festival will be officially listed and it will help keep the tradition alive for future generations.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is pushing for UNESCO Intangible Heritage status for the Puri Rath Yatra.
The festival, celebrated for centuries, attracts millions of devotees and visitors worldwide each year.
The Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration has already submitted supporting materials for UNESCO consideration.
Majhi requests the Ministry of Culture’s intervention to expedite the nomination process.
If inscribed, the Rath Yatra would become Odisha’s second UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage entry.
- Who
- Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi
- What
- Urges UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the Puri Rath Yatra
- Where
- Puri, Odisha, India
- Why
- To recognize and preserve the festival’s cultural significance and promote global appreciation of India’s intangible heritage
- Festival
- Puri Rath Yatra
- Proposed UNESCO status
- Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Submitting body
- Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration
- Requested by
- Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi
- Current Odisha UNESCO entry
- Chhau Dance