Sarnath UNESCO Nomination 2025: Under the aegis of the UNESCO team, ASI will once again write the history on the Sarnath plaque, but will give credit to the family of the ruler of Banaras instead of the British.
Context:
India has officially nominated the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List for 2025-26. However, Sarnath has been on the UNESCO tentative list since 1998. Sarnath is primarily a Buddhist site and also holds significant importance for Jainism. Its inclusion in UNESCO will further enhance India’s cultural heritage globally.
Sarnath as an Overview:
- Location: Sarnath, located near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, is a major Buddhist pilgrimage site. Along with Sarnath, Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar, it is one of the four major pilgrimage sites of Buddhism, which is related to the birth of Buddha, attainment of enlightenment, first sermon and death.
- Buddhist significance: Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon here after attaining enlightenment, which led to the beginning of the Dhammachakrapravartan and the Buddhist Sangha. Sarnath has been called ‘Mrigadaav or Rishipattan’ in ancient texts.
- Dhamek Stupa: Built by Ashoka, the Dhamek Stupa commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath, and was constructed around 500 AD.
- Chaukhandi Stupa: Chaukhandi Stupa is a tall brick stupa, topped by an octagonal Mughal pillar, symbolizing the meeting of Buddha with his first disciples after attaining enlightenment.
- Ashoka Pillar: Emperor Ashoka erected the famous Lion Capital here, which was later adopted as the national emblem of India.
- Sarnath contains structures dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 11th century CE, including the Dharmarajika Stupa.
- The first scientific excavations at Sarnath were carried out between 1834-36 under the leadership of Sir Alexander Cunningham, the first Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- The ruins of ancient monasteries, temples, and sculptures reveal the cultural and spiritual heritage of Sarnath.
- The Sarnath Archaeological Museum houses the original Lion Capital along with other important artefacts.
Construction and Conservation:
- In the 3rd century BCE, Emperor Ashoka, after the Kalinga War, propagated Buddhism and commissioned the construction of stupas, monasteries, and inscriptions at Sarnath.
- Sarnath is said to have flourished during the reigns of the Kushans, Guptas, and Harshavardhana, who rebuilt the structures after the Hun invasions.
- Sarnath’s main monuments from the Mauryan to the Gahadavala period include the Chaukhandi Stupa, the Dhamek Stupa, the Dharmarajiya Stupa, and the Ashoka Pillar, along with ancient monasteries, temples, and numerous offering stupas, dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE.
- The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath, originally adorned with a lion capital, represents the national emblem of India.
Sarnath is a renowned Buddhist site with magnificent art and architecture and historical, cultural, and symbolic significance. It is not only a major seat of Buddhism but also a living symbol of Indian history and culture. It inspires us to follow the path of non-violence, compassion, and wisdom. Furthermore, the Lion Capital of Ashoka, also known as the Ashoka Pillar, is an iconic testimony to India’s rich history and the profound influence of Emperor Ashoka, one of the greatest rulers of ancient times. The Lion Capital is a timeless representation, not just in stone, of India’s rich heritage and its unwavering commitment to the principles that shaped its destiny.