Puri, May 29: The world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is awaiting UNESCO heritage recognition, with hopes pinned on the upcoming UNESCO meeting scheduled to be held in Paris between November and December this year.
After repeated attempts between 2022 and 2024 failed to materialise, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) successfully submitted the nomination dossier in 2025. The Rath Yatra has already been formally included in the National Heritage List by the Sangeet Natak Akademi under the Union Ministry of Culture.
SJTA Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Padhee said a UNESCO team may visit Puri during the upcoming Rath Yatra for an on-ground review if the nomination process progresses positively. He expressed hope that the globally renowned festival could receive UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition after voting by member countries at the UNESCO meeting.
According to temple officials, the recognition would help showcase the original traditions, rituals, and cultural significance of the Puri Rath Yatra before the global community. Servitors and intellectuals believe the recognition may also help curb untimely or unauthorised Rath Yatras conducted elsewhere.
UNESCO has so far recognised more than 600 cultural elements worldwide, including over 40 festivals under various categories. In India, festivals and traditions such as Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja, and Himachal Pradesh’s Ramlila traditions have already received the prestigious heritage tag.
The Jagannath culture and Rath Yatra traditions, rooted in mythology and historical continuity, are considered rich in authenticity and cultural value. Earlier, Indian Railways had also written in support of the UNESCO nomination, highlighting the festival’s architectural traditions, rituals, mythological significance, and massive public participation.
With over 15 lakh devotees participating in the annual Gundicha Yatra, the Odisha government and SJTA are making extensive preparations to make the event grand and memorable. Senior servitor Sunil Pujapanda said the Rath Yatra fulfils all UNESCO guidelines and deserves a place in the global heritage festival list.
