Bhuabneswar: Odisha Chief Minister has forwarded a proposal of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration to the Centre, seeking the Centre’s support for nominating Puri’s Jagannath Rath Yatra on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
He has sought the intervention and support of the Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism for taking the up the matter.
The CM has written to Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on August 1 stating that Rath Yatra was not merely a religious festival but a ‘timeless civilisational tradition.’
“The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is not merely a religious festival but a timeless civilisational tradition that embodies India’s rich cultural diversity, inclusivity, spirituality, craftsmanship, music, dance and community participation,” his letter, reads.
The CM informed the Union minister that the SJTA had already submitted all supporting documents in the prescribed format.
He has also assured of providing any further information or assistance that may be required during the process.