Sarnath, July 26: Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The decision was taken during the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Busan, South Korea.
Sarnath is one of Buddhism’s holiest pilgrimage sites. It is regarded as the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon and set the Dharmachakra Pravartan in motion after attaining enlightenment.
According to the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, Sarnath was included in UNESCO’s Tentative List on July 3, 1998. After nearly 28 years, the site has now received official World Heritage status.
With this recognition, Sarnath becomes the fourth UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uttar Pradesh. The state’s other recognised heritage sites are the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
The Uttar Pradesh government said the recognition will further strengthen the state’s Buddhist Circuit and enhance its position on the global tourism and cultural heritage map.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the decision and said Sarnath shares a profound connection with Lord Buddha, whose message of wisdom, compassion and harmony continues to inspire people across the world.
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