📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ms Sarah Welch
National
Sirpur, Chhattisgarh Joins UNESCO World Heritage List
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 20 Oct 2026, 09:01 PM
👁 8
The ancient town of Sirpur in Chhattisgarh has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognising its rich archaeological heritage and historic monuments.
Sirpur, a historic town in Chhattisgarh, was officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on October 21, 2026, following a rigorous evaluation of its archaeological and cultural significance.
The site, known for its Buddhist and Jain stupas, monasteries, and ancient temples, represents a flourishing urban centre that thrived between the 5th and 12th centuries. UNESCO highlighted the town’s unique blend of religious architecture and its role in the spread of Buddhism across northern India.
Local authorities and heritage conservation bodies have expressed optimism that the designation will boost preservation efforts and attract cultural tourism. The inscription also aligns with India’s broader strategy to safeguard and promote its diverse heritage sites.
The decision comes after a detailed nomination dossier submitted by the Archaeological Survey of India, which outlined the town’s outstanding universal value and the measures in place to protect its monuments.
Experts note that Sirpur’s inclusion will place it among a select group of Indian sites recognized by UNESCO, enhancing its visibility on the global heritage map.
The site, known for its Buddhist and Jain stupas, monasteries, and ancient temples, represents a flourishing urban centre that thrived between the 5th and 12th centuries. UNESCO highlighted the town’s unique blend of religious architecture and its role in the spread of Buddhism across northern India.
Local authorities and heritage conservation bodies have expressed optimism that the designation will boost preservation efforts and attract cultural tourism. The inscription also aligns with India’s broader strategy to safeguard and promote its diverse heritage sites.
The decision comes after a detailed nomination dossier submitted by the Archaeological Survey of India, which outlined the town’s outstanding universal value and the measures in place to protect its monuments.
Experts note that Sirpur’s inclusion will place it among a select group of Indian sites recognized by UNESCO, enhancing its visibility on the global heritage map.