India’s Kumbh Mela has been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an “intangible cultural heritage of humanity” and held up as the world’s largest peaceful gathering of pilgrims.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said the recognition was accorded by the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, an entity which works under UNESCO. The decision to recognise the Kumbh Mela was taken at its ongoing meeting in Jeju, South Korea.The inscription of the Kumbh Mela was recommended by the expert body which examines the nominations submitted by member states.

The committee observed it was the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth.”The Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage under UNESCO inscribed the ‘Kumbh Mela’ on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during its 12th session held at Jeju, South Korea,” the MEA said.

The session, which started on 4 December, is to end on 9 December. It said the inscription was the third in two years following ‘Yoga’ and ‘Nouroz’.

While recommending the Kumbh Mela, the expert committee observed it was the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth.

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