Process Begins for UNESCO Heritage Tag to World Famous Ratha Yatra in Puri

Puri: The World famous Ratha Yatra of Puri is likely to receive the UNESCO Heritage tag by the next Ratha Yatra falling in the month of June. A detailed report is being prepared by the district administration in this regard which will be submitted to the UNESCO. The district administration has advised the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration to form a special team to prepare the report. The Yatra is likely to find its place in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity under UNESCO.

The State Culture Department and the Puri District administration had written a letter last year to the UNESCO to accord World Heritage tag to this centuries old famous Ratha Yatra. A detailed report in this regard will be sent to the UNESCO this year.

A formal process has begun with the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration holding a meeting in this regard. An advisory committee including five servitor members of the Temple Managing Committee and two Mathadhisas will be formed to advise the Temple administration in the preparation of the report.

According to a member of the Temple Managing Committee, the work on collecting data and evidences regarding the Ratha Yatra documentation has already begun since last year. Millions of people from across the world gather every year to witness the oldest Ratha Yatra or the Car Festival of the world.