Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List
The 'Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath' in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 25 July 2026 at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, becoming India's 45th World Heritage property.
Summary
Sarnath was India's official nomination for the 2025-26 cycle. The serial property has two components – Chaukhandi Stupa and the Archaeological Remains of Sarnath (Dhamekh Stupa, Dharmarajika Stupa, Mulagandhakuti Vihara, Ashokan Pillar and others). Known in Buddhist tradition as Rishipatana, Isipatana or Mrigadava, it is where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, the Dharmachakra Pravartana. The site was put on India's Tentative List in 1998 and the nomination was sent in January 2025; it was inscribed under criteria (iii) and (vi). With this, three of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites – Lumbini (Nepal), Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya and Sarnath – are World Heritage properties.
Key facts
- Inscribed
- 25 July 2026, 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, Busan (South Korea)
- India's tally
- 45th World Heritage property
- Components
- Chaukhandi Stupa; Archaeological Remains of Sarnath (Dhamekh Stupa, Dharmarajika Stupa, Mulagandhakuti Vihara, Ashokan Pillar)
- Significance
- Site of the Buddha's first sermon – Dharmachakra Pravartana
- Criteria
- (iii) and (vi)
- Tentative List
- Since 1998; nomination sent January 2025
Practice MCQs 4 questions
With the inscription of the 'Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath' in July 2026, how many World Heritage properties does India have?
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Correct answer: B — 45
Sarnath became India's 45th property on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Sarnath was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee held in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Busan
The decision was taken at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea.
Which two component parts make up the inscribed serial property 'Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath'?
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Correct answer: A — Chaukhandi Stupa and the Archaeological Remains of Sarnath
The property comprises the Chaukhandi Stupa and the Archaeological Remains of Sarnath (which include the Dhamekh Stupa, Dharmarajika Stupa, Mulagandhakuti Vihara and Ashokan Pillar).
Consider the following statements about Sarnath's World Heritage inscription (2026): 1. Sarnath had been on India's Tentative List since 1998. 2. It was inscribed under criteria (iii) and (vi). 3. With it, all four principal Buddhist pilgrimage sites are now World Heritage properties. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: three of the four principal sites – Lumbini, Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi Temple and Sarnath – are now on the list, not all four.