He Added That the State Government and SJTA Stood Ready to Provide Any Further Information Needed

The Odisha government has asked the Centre to back its bid to get Puri's Jagannath Rath Yatra inscribed on UNESCO's List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, officials said Monday. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi forwarded a proposal from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration to the Centre, urging the Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism to fast-track the nomination. In an August 1 letter to Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Majhi described the Rath Yatra as "a timeless civilisational tradition" reflecting India's cultural diversity, inclusivity, spirituality, craftsmanship, music, dance, and community participation.

The centuries-old festival draws millions of devotees and visitors worldwide, and UNESCO recognition would bolster global appreciation of India's intangible heritage and aid its preservation, he said. Majhi noted the SJTA had already submitted all required documents and requested Shekhawat's personal intervention to expedite the proposal's review and Ministry support for taking it to UNESCO. He added that the state government and SJTA stood ready to provide any further information needed. Over 50 lakh people took part in this year's Puri Rath Yatra, held July 16–27.