New Delhi: In a clear effort to reach out to the electorate in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, talked of getting Chhath Mahaparva added to the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
He said this during 126th edition of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’, ANI has reported.
According to the PM, this Government of India move will help people all over the world learn about the festival’s importance and beauty.
“I am very happy to inform you that the Government of India is also engaged in a major endeavour connected with Chhath Puja. The Government of India is striving to include the Chhath Mahaparva in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. When Chhath Puja is included in the UNESCO list, people in every corner of the world will be able to experience its grandeur and divinity,” Modi said.
India is a signatory of the 2003 UNESCO Convention which aims to safeguard traditions and beliefs representative of community practices and knowledge systems mentioned in the Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage India List includes Kutiyattam, Ramlila, Ramman, Mudiyettu, Chhau Dance, Kalbelia folk songs and dances, the tradition of Vedic chanting, Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh, Sankirtana, Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja in Kolkata and Garba of Gujarat. Besides this traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru in Punjab, Yoga and Navroz are also recognised by UNESCO.
Modi’s announcement came on the occasion of Durga Puja, which was added to the list in 2021. Devotees all over the world are celebrating Sashti Tithi of Shukla Paksha today.
Describing Chhath Puja as a special festival dedicated to the Sun God, the PM said: “Our festivals keep India’s culture alive. Chhath Puja is a sacred festival that comes after Diwali. This grand festival, dedicated to the Sun God, is very special. In it, we offer prayers to the setting sun and worship it.”
