Odisha seeks Govt help to get UNESCO tag for Rath Yatra, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has requested the Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for the inclusion of Jagannath Rath Yatra in the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• The request was made on August 1, aiming to enhance global recognition of India's rich intangible cultural traditions.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Jagannath Rath Yatra is an annual chariot festival celebrated in Puri, Odisha, dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra.
• This grand event involves parading the deities in large wooden chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, symbolizing a divine family reunion.
• The festival is a significant expression of divine love, devotion, and equality, attracting millions of devotees globally.
• India currently has 15 elements inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, including the Kumbh Mela, Yoga, and Durga Puja in Kolkata.
• The Ministry of Culture serves as the nodal agency in India responsible for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage and for coordinating nominations to UNESCO lists.
• Inclusion in the UNESCO list provides international visibility, promotes cultural diversity, and encourages safeguarding measures for the heritage element.
• The nomination process for this list requires demonstrating that the element constitutes intangible cultural heritage, involves wide community participation, and has established safeguarding measures.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Intangible Cultural Heritage: Practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills recognized by communities as part of their cultural heritage, transmitted across generations.
• UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: A UNESCO-maintained list aimed at ensuring better protection of significant intangible cultural heritages globally and raising awareness of their importance.
• Jagannath Rath Yatra: An annual Hindu chariot festival originating in Puri, Odisha, featuring the procession of deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra in grand chariots.