The sacred Buddhist site of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, India, has officially been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, marking international recognition for one of Buddhism’s most revered sites.Sarnath holds immense religious and historical significance as the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, setting in motion the teachings of Buddhism.

The site remains an important pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from across the world, including thousands of devotees from Sri Lanka who visit India’s sacred Buddhist sites each year.The UNESCO recognition is expected to further highlight Sarnath’s historical, cultural and spiritual importance while encouraging more pilgrims and international travelers to visit the site.Sarnath, located near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, is home to several important Buddhist monuments and archaeological remains associated with the early history and spread of Buddhism.