PM Modi: Government Striving to Include Chhath Puja in UNESCO Cultural Heritage List

 Chhath Puja in UNESCO Cultural Heritage List: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (September 28, 2025) announced that the Government of India is making concerted efforts to include ‘Chhath Mahaparva’ in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, recognizing it as one of the most spiritually significant and eco-conscious festivals of India.

Delivering his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address, PM Modi said that once Chhath Puja finds its place in the UNESCO list, people around the world will be able to experience the festival’s grandeur, divinity, and deep cultural symbolism.

“Chhath is not just a festival, it’s a celebration of life and nature”

“Our festivals and celebrations keep India’s culture alive. Chhath Puja is a sacred festival that comes right after Diwali. This grand festival dedicated to the Sun God is very special,” said the Prime Minister.

PM Modi highlighted the festival’s unique tradition — offering ‘Arghya’ to both the setting and rising Sun, symbolizing gratitude and reverence towards the cosmic source of energy.

He further added, “Chhath is not only celebrated in different parts of the country, but its splendour is seen all over the world. Now, it is turning into a global festival.”

A global recognition for India’s traditional heritage

PM Modi recalled that Kolkata’s Durga Puja had previously received global acknowledgment through its inclusion in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. “Some time ago, on account of similar efforts by the Government of India, Kolkata’s Durga Puja also became a part of this UNESCO list. If we accord our cultural events such global recognition, the world will also know about them, understand them, and come forward to participate in them,” he said.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that Chhath Puja’s environmental significance, devotion to natural elements, and deep-rooted social harmony would help it earn its rightful place among UNESCO’s globally recognized cultural traditions.

About Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja, also known as Chhath Mahaparva, is a four-day-long Hindu festival dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. It is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, and has now become a global festival due to the widespread Indian diaspora.

Devotees observe rigorous fasting, holy bathing, and offer prayers at rivers or ponds during sunrise and sunset. The festival embodies purity, discipline, and gratitude toward nature — qualities that resonate deeply with UNESCO’s principles of preserving intangible cultural heritage.

Significance of UNESCO Inclusion

The inclusion of Chhath Puja in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List would:

• Bring global recognition to India’s ancient eco-spiritual traditions.

• Promote tourism and cultural diplomacy worldwide.

• Encourage environmental awareness through rituals rooted in natural worship.

• Strengthen India’s position as a cradle of living cultural heritage.

PM Modi’s announcement reflects India’s growing commitment to preserving its cultural legacy and sharing its spiritual and ecological wisdom with the world. Once Chhath Puja joins the UNESCO list, it will stand as a symbol of faith, nature, and humanity’s eternal connection with the divine Sun.