Sarnath Nominated for UNESCO World Heritage

• 07 Aug 2025

Source: DH

Why in News?

India has officially nominated the 'Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath  for the UNESCO World Heritage List under the 2025–26 nomination cycle.

• Sarnath has been on UNESCO's “tentative list” since 1998.

What are the Key Facts Related to Sarnath?

• Location: Sarnath, located near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is a major Buddhist pilgrimage site where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dhammachakkappavattana) after enlightenment. 
• Historical and Religious Significance: It is also known by names such as Rishipatana, Mrigadava, and Mrigadaya. The modern name is believed to be derived from Saranganatha ("Lord of the Deer").
  • Sarnath is one of the 4 key pilgrimage sites in Buddhism, along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar,  associated with the birth, enlightenment, first sermon, and death of Buddha respectively.
  • Ashes of the Buddha were enshrined in stupas at these locations to commemorate significant events in his life.
• Architecture:  Sarnath reflects the architectural evolution from the Mauryan to the Kushan, Gupta, and Gahadavala periods. The site is divided into 2 main monument groups:
  • Group A:
    • Chaukhandi Stupa: Built around the 5th century AD to honor Lord Buddha, it is a tall brick structure with an octagonal tower on top. This tower was added later, in 1588 by Govardhan, the son of Raja Todarmal to remember  Humayun’s visit to Sarnath.
  • Group B:
    • Dhamek Stupa:  Built around 500 CE, believed to mark the exact spot of Buddha’s first sermon.
    • Dharmarajika Stupa: Originally built by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE to house the relics of Buddha.
    • Ashokan Pillar:  Bearing Ashoka’s edict and originally crowned by the Lion Capital, now India’s National Emblem.
    • Ancient monasteries, temples, and numerous votive stupas, spanning from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE.
• Restoration and Invasions:  Emperor Ashoka promoted Buddhism after the Kalinga War and built stupas and monasteries at Sarnath.
  • Sarnath flourished under rulers like the Kushans, Guptas, and Harshavardhana, who restored structures post Huna invasions.
  • The Guptas added artistic features to the Dhamek Stupa, notably stone-carved floral designs.
  • The site suffered destruction during the 11th-century raid by Mahmud of Ghazni but was restored by Mahipala of the Pala dynasty.
  • The last major monument, Dharmachakra Jina Vihara, was built in the 11th century by Kumaradevi, wife of Govindachandra of the Gahadavala dynasty.
• Excavations and Museums: The first scientific excavation at Sarnath was conducted by Sir Alexander Cunningham, the first DG of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), between 1834–36.
  • The Ashokan Lion Capital and pillar base were excavated in 1904–05 by Friedrich Oscar Oertel. It was later adopted as State Emblem of India on 26th January 1950,
  • The Sarnath Archaeological Museum houses the original Lion Capital, along with other important artefacts.
  • The Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, built by the Mahabodhi Society, contains vibrant frescoes narrating Buddha’s life.

What are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

• About: UNESCO World Heritage Sites are locations of exceptional cultural or natural significance, officially designated under the World Heritage Convention, 1972 for their value to all humanity.
  • India ratified the Convention in 1977, joining 195 other countries in this global commitment.
• World Heritage Convention, 1972:  Under the Convention, each State Party can nominate only one site per year for inscription on the World Heritage List. 
  • India currently ranks 6th globally and 2nd in the Asia-Pacific in terms of the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and has 62 sites on its Tentative List.
• Nodal Agency: The ASI is the nodal agency for all World Heritage matters in India.

What are the Criteria to Designate a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

• Site Selection Criteria: To be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a property must demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and meet at least one of 10 criteria, as outlined in the Operational Guidelines of the World Heritage Convention.
  • Originally grouped as 6 cultural and 4 natural criteria, they were merged into a single list of 10 in 2005. 
  • These are periodically updated to reflect global heritage priorities.
• Nomination & Evaluation Process:  A site must first be included in the country’s Tentative List.
  • The State Party submits a detailed nomination dossier, which is reviewed by the World Heritage Centre.
  • The dossier is then evaluated by Advisory Bodies such as:
    • ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) (for cultural sites), 
    • IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) (for natural sites)  and 
    • ICCROM, which provides technical expertise and training in conservation.
• Final Decision:  The World Heritage Committee, which meets annually, makes the final decision. It can inscribe, defer, or request more information.
  • India is a current member (2021–25) of this Committee, contributing to global heritage governance.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims:

Q. Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO: ( 2024)

1. Shantiniketan
2. Rani-ki-Vav
3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas 
4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya 

How many of the above properties were included in 2023? 

(a) Only one 

(b) Only two 

(c) Only three 

(d) All four 

Ans: (b)

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Mains: 

Q. Safeguarding the Indian Art Heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. (2018) 

Q.Indian Philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss. (2020)