“Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath” Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List
Here's what's trending across India right now:
Today, in a remarkable decision taken at the 48 th Session of the World Heritage Committee being held at Busan, South Korea, India's official nomination for 2025-26 cycle, "Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath" got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India's 45th property to receive this recognition. This global accolade celebrates India's enduring cultural legacy, showcasing its diverse traditions of architectural brilliance, regional identity, and historical continuity.
Adding to this, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Hon'ble Union Minister of Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat along with Hon'ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath lauded the historic milestone and congratulated the people of India for this achievement.
Meanwhile, Indian Delegation giving thanks speech at 48 th COM at Busan
Notably, The inscribed serial property comprises two component parts – Chaukhandi Stupa and the Archaeological Remains of Sarnath (Dhamekh Stupa, Dharmrajika Stupa, Mulagandgakuti Vihara, Ashokan Pillar, etc.) – located within Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Together these two components preserve the architectural and archaeological remains of the ancient site of Sarnath, known in the Buddhist tradition under different names – Rishipatana, Ishipatana, Mrigadava. They all refer to a sacred geography, where the Buddha visited in the 6th century BCE and delivered his first sermon known as the "Turning of the Wheel of the Law" ( Dharmachakra pravartana ). This event marked the inception of the Buddhist sangha and the establishment of the principles of the Noble Eightfold Path.
As per the latest buzz, Indicated by the Buddha himself to be one of the four key sites of Buddhist pilgrimage, Sarnath developed over centuries through royal, monastic and lay patronage. Numerous stupas, temples and viharas were constructed around what is believed to be the place of the first sermon of Gautama Buddha and the site where he met his first disciples. Having seen decline in the 12th century CE and subsequent destruction, it fell into obscurity until its re-discovery in the 18th century.
In further updates, The site comprises an ensemble of ancient monuments constructed from the pre-Mauryan period (5th-4th centuries BCE to 3rd century BCE) up until the destruction of Sarnath in the 12th century CE (with some later additions).
On top of that, Sarnath has been one of the most extensively excavated sites by the Archaeological Survey of India which resulted in a stratified settlement spread across 16 centuries (5th-4th centuries BCE to 12th century CE).
Excavations at the Archaeological remains of Sarnath, 1907-1908
Source: PIB