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The Ministry of Culture convened a high-level consultation at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi, with senior diplomatic representatives of the United Arab Emirates, Suriname, and the Netherlands to discuss the multinational nomination of Chhath Mahaparva for inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The meeting, chaired by Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, was also attended by officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, Sangeet Natak Akademi, and IGNCA. Partner nations welcomed the initiative, acknowledging the festival’s importance among diaspora communities and extending full support for the nomination.

Chhath Mahaparva, one of India’s oldest festivals, is celebrated with devotion to the Sun God and Goddess Chhathi Maiya across several Indian states and by diaspora communities in Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, the UAE, and the Netherlands. Known for its ecological ethos, inclusivity, and community spirit, the festival’s proposed UNESCO recognition underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding living traditions and promoting cultural diplomacy.