Sarnath Inscribed as India's 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site

30 July 2026National

The Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Busan, Republic of Korea (19-29 July 2026), with the inscription announced on 25 July 2026. With this addition, India now has 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Located near Varanasi, Sarnath is where the Buddha delivered his first sermon (the Dhammachakra Pravartana). The inscribed property includes the Dhamek Stupa, the Dharmarajika Stupa, the Chaukhandi Stupa, the Mulagandhakuti Vihara and the Ashokan Pillar - whose Lion Capital is India's State Emblem.

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UNESCO HQ: Paris, France | India hosted the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi in 2024 | India's first World Heritage Sites (1983): Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort and Taj Mahal | Sarnath is one of the four principal Buddhist pilgrimage sites

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Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh), where the Buddha gave his first sermon, became India's 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed at the 48th session in Busan, South Korea.

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Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath Inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List, India's 45th Site

The Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) held in Busan, South Korea (Republic of Korea) on 25 July 2026. It becomes India's 45th World Heritage Site (WHS) and the fourth in Uttar Pradesh after the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Sarnath, near Varanasi, is where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dhammachakra Pravartana) after attaining enlightenment, around 528 BCE, in the Deer Park (Mrigadava / Rishipatana). The inscribed property has two components — the Chaukhandi Stupa and the archaeological remains including the Dhamekh Stupa, Dharmarajika Stupa, Mulagandhakuti Vihara and the Ashokan Pillar. Sarnath was on UNESCO's Tentative List since 1998; India submitted its nomination in January 2025 for the 2025–26 cycle. With this, India ranks 6th globally and 2nd in Asia-Pacific in number of World Heritage Sites.

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