A heritage rally was organised from Khandagiri square to the Hatigumpha cave of Udayagiri-Khandagiri twin hills to celebrate the World Heritage Week.

Organised by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Bhubaneswar Circle in collaboration with the Khandagiri Anchalika Parishad, the Khandagiri Baristha Nagarika Sangha and the Jayadev Walkers Club, it was participated by about two hundred students of different schools,  local residents, personnel of Archaeological Survey of India and others. The rally marched with placards and slogans highlighting the significance of the week long observation and importance of conservation of heritage sites.

The rally was flagged off by former Vice Chancellor of Utkal University of Culture Professor Amiya Kumar Pattanaik in presence of other dignitaries.

Prof Patnaik, who joined as chief guest, underscored the need of local community participation in conservation and management of the more than two thousand years old twin hills Jain  monuments. President of Orissa Environmental Society Dr. Sundara Narayana Patro, former Superintending Archaeologist Dr Kora Prasad Padhy, Administrative Officer of ASI Kalpana Das and several other prominent persons also addressed the meeting. Views were expressed in favour of according the status of World Heritage Site to the Khandagiri-Udayagiri twin hills because of its special significance of earliest rock-cut architectural monument value. Discussions were also made on the status and the immediate conservation and management need of the important monuments in Odisha, and this year's theme "The Living Heritages".

A quiz programme was conducted by historian Prof Nirad Baran Khuntia, on various aspects of  heritages,  partipated by the students.

The meeting was presided over by vice president of Khandagiri Anchalika Bikash Parishad Basant Kumar Mishra.