UNESCO Declares Kumbh Mela “Intangible Cultural Heritage”

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Kumbh Mela at Haridwar. 

(Photo: Reuters)

India's Kumbh Mela has been recognised by UNESCO as an "intangible cultural heritage of humanity", the international organisation said in a tweet posted on Thursday, 7 December.

The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, under the United Nations body, inscribed Kumbh Mela on the "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" at its 12th session in Jeju, South Korea. The meeting, which opened on 4 December, will end on 9 December.

Kumbh Mela, considered the world’s largest congregation of religious pilgrims, joins new elements from Botswana, Colombia, Venezuela, Mongolia, Morocco, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates on the list.

A very proud moment for us as sacred Kumbh Mela is just inscribed as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Mahesh Sharma, Minister of culture, tourism and civil aviation.

The inscription of elements on the list helps countries which are a part of UNESCO's convention for safeguarding cultural heritage to mobilise international cooperation and assistance for ensuring that communities continue to practise and transmit such aspects of their heritage.

The Kumbh Mela, held in Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik, represents a syncretic set of rituals related to worship and cleansing in holy rivers.

The inscription of Kumbh Mela was recommended by the expert body which examines in detail nominations submitted by Member States. 

The Committee also took note of the fact that knowledge and skills related to Kumbh Mela are transmitted through the Guru-Shishya parampara (teacher-student relationship) by way of saints and sadhus teaching their disciples about traditional rituals and chants.

Kumbh Mela is considered to be the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, attended by millions irrespective of caste, creed or gender.

Following the recognition, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This was an achievement of the Narendra Modi-led government, the chief minister was quoted in an official statement.

The country is touching new heights under the prime minister and earning new identity at the global level... the world is now looking toward India.

Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh

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