After a wait of 28 years, the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath, near Varanasi, has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage List.
The Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO, Paris, in an official release on Saturday, said that the decision to officially inscribe Sarnath on the UNESCO list was taken during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee being held in Busan in the Republic of Korea from July 19 to July 29.
Sarnath had been included in UNESCO’s ‘tentative’ list of World Heritage sites in 1998.
‘’Sarnath remains a site of reflection for over 500 million Buddhists worldwide and inspires the youth to seek truth, embrace non-violence, pursue mindful living and become responsible global citizens committed to inclusive social transformation that resonate deeply with India and UNESCO’s own mission of building peace,’’ Vishal Sharma, India’s permanent ambassador to UNESCO, said.
He said that Sarnath occupied a unique place in world history as the sacred site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining Enlightenment, setting in motion the Wheel of Dharma and establishing the Buddhist Sangha.
‘’The inscription is a recognition of India’s enduring civilisational heritage and of the timeless message of peace, compassion and harmony embodied in the teachings of Lord Buddha, which continue to inspire humanity across the world,’’ Sharma said.
With this inscription, India now has 45 UNESCO World Heritage properties comprising 37 cultural, seven natural and one mixed site, reflecting the country’s rich and diverse heritage and its steadfast commitment to the conservation of sites of outstanding universal values, he added.
Thousands of followers of Buddhism visit Sarnath every year, and local officials said that the inscription will greatly boost tourism and help in the development of the region, besides generating employment.
Uttar Pradesh currently has three more UNESCO World Heritage sites: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri Fort in Agra district.
Source: Deccanherald