In a significant move, the Indian government has initiated the process of listing Chhath Puja with UNESCO. The Chhathi Maiya Foundation’s efforts have prompted this action. This move aims to increase the global footprint of Chhath Puja, a festival embodying faith, culture, and environmental preservation. The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, issued an official order via letter F.No.U-11/134/2018-UNESCO on August 8, 2025. The Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, has been instrumental in this initiative. The government, responding to a request from the Chhathi Maiya Foundation, has directed the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) to start the formal process of nominating Chhath Puja for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
