News: The Ministry of Culture met diplomats from the UAE, Suriname, and the Netherlands at IGNCA to seek support for Chhath Mahaparva’s nomination to UNESCO’s ICH Representative List.
About Chhath Mahaparva
- Chhath Mahaparva is dedicated to the Sun God and Goddess Chhathi Maiya.
- It is known for simplicity, devotion, and self-discipline, and upholds ecological and egalitarian values.
- History: Considered one of the oldest Vedic rituals, with references to sun worship found in the Rig Veda and in stories related to Karna (Mahabharata).
- Prominent areas of celebration: Widely observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, and among diaspora communities in Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, the UAE, and the Netherlands.
About Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)
- Intangible cultural heritage comprises practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities, groups, and individuals recognize as their cultural heritage.
- India already has 15 elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List.
- To know more about this topic, click here.
