Bhubaneswar: World famous Rath Jatra and Bali Jatra have been listed in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage list of Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s apex cultural body under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee on social media site X. Dr.Padhee is an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannatha.
“Very excited to learn that the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s apex cultural body under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India has listed Ratha Jatra and Bali Jatra from Odisha in its “National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage,” Dr Padhee said.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had recently submitted the Nomination Dossier to the Union Ministry of Culture for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity recognition for Ratha Yatra of Shree Jagannatha Puri, he said.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has also expressed happiness over this achievement.
“Delighted that Ratha Jatra & Bali Jatra, symbols of Odisha’s rich cultural heritage, have been listed in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage by @sangeetnatak. This is a proud moment for every Odia, and we look forward to their well-deserved recognition on @UNESCO’s global stage,” the Chief Minister said on X.
In the first step of the process initiated by UNESCO to confer the status of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Mahaprabhu’s Rath Yatra, he said.
He congratulate the servitors of Mahaprabhu, countless Jagannath lovers and the administration of the temple, Majhi said.
“I sincerely hope that in the coming days, Mahaprabhu’s Rath Yatra will definitely be included in the UNESCO list,” he hoped.
Bali Jatra, a historic festival celebrated in Cuttack, commemorates State’s rich maritime heritage and its ancient trade connections with Bali and other Southeast Asian regions. The week-long festival, which begins on Kartika Purnima, attracts millions of visitors to the banks of the Mahanadi River.