Centre Moves To Nominate Chhath Festival For UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List
The Central govt has initiated the process to include Chhath festival in UNESCO's Cultural Heritage list.The Ministry of Culture has requested Sangeet Natak Akademi to nominate it.
The Ministry of Culture has written a letter to the secretary of Sangeet Natak Akademi, asking him to nominate Chhath festival for inclusion in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
In a letter dated August 8, 2025, the Cultural ministry wrote, 'Please find enclosed herewith a communication dated 24.07.2025 from Shri Sandeep Kumar Dubey (Chairman, Chhathi Maiya Foundation) submitting the proposal for the inclusion of 'Chhath Mahaparva" under UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity."
'In this regard, SNA being the nodal agency in the matter, is requested to examine the above mentioned reference and take appropriate action," the letter further read.
A letter from the Central government was sent to the SNA after Chhathi Maiya Foundation chairman Sandeep Kumar Dubey submitted a proposal for the festival's inclusion.
Chhath puja is celebrated among the Hindu communities in the country, particularly from Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. It is celebrated with devotion by communities across the world. The revered festival is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya). This four-day-long festival includes several traditions like fasting, bathing in holy rivers, and praying to the sun at both sunset and sunrise.
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