Sarnath, the revered Buddhist site near Varanasi where the Buddha first taught the Dharma, has been nominated by India for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List for the 2025–26 cycle.
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, informed that a dossier titled Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath has been submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre this year.
Under UNESCO’s revised Operational Guidelines for 2024, each member state is permitted to submit only one nomination per cycle. The process, the minister stated, takes approximately 1.5 years from the date of submission, subject to evaluation by international advisory bodies and final inscription by the World Heritage Committee.
Sarnath, which already enjoys protected status under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), is considered one of Buddhism’s holiest sites. It features the Dhamek Stupa, ruins of monasteries, and the famed Ashokan Pillar bearing the Lion Capital, India’s national emblem.
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Responding to a separate query, Shekhawat said, “There is no specific grant scheme or special fund allocated to support the restoration and preservation of community heritage sites.” He added that the ASI maintains all protected monuments in a “good state of preservation”, with conservation work undertaken through regular budget allocations based on availability and need.
He further highlighted that the ASI oversees 52 site museums, including those in remote regions, and is integrating digital technologies to enhance visitor experiences. Outreach initiatives, especially among youth, are also being pursued to promote awareness and stewardship of India’s cultural heritage.
On the matter of tentative inscriptions, Shekhawat informed that two sites from Maharashtra and 11 from Madhya Pradesh currently figure in India’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. “However, no property from Jharkhand features in the Tentative List. Inclusion in the Tentative List is a mandatory prerequisite for proceeding with World Heritage nomination,” he said.
The nomination of Sarnath comes at a time when India is actively promoting its Buddhist circuit as part of cultural diplomacy and tourism development. The move aligns with ongoing efforts to recognise and conserve sites of historical, spiritual, and architectural significance across the country.
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