Sirpur UNESCO bid for 29 November 2025

Sirpur UNESCO Bid Latest News

• Sirpur, a 5th–12th Century archaeological site in Chhattisgarh, is undergoing a major upgrade as the government seeks UNESCO World Heritage status. 
• A recent joint inspection by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Sirpur Special Area Development Authority (SADA) marks a significant step in advancing its nomination.
• Located two hours from Raipur on the banks of the Mahanadi, Sirpur hosts 34 Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist monuments. 
• The planned facelift includes battery-operated golf carts, digital exhibits, and immersive storytelling modules to enhance visitor experience and strengthen the site’s UNESCO credentials.

UNESCO World Heritage Tag

• The UNESCO World Heritage tag is an international recognition awarded to cultural or natural sites of “outstanding universal value” — places considered important for all humankind, transcending national boundaries. 
• Sites may include ancient monuments, historic cities, natural landscapes, ecosystems, or mixed cultural-natural heritage.
• The designation is given by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which evaluates nominations submitted by member countries. 
• Once inscribed, a site gains global visibility, higher tourism potential, and improved opportunities for funding and technical assistance. 
• Importantly, the tag also obligates governments to ensure stronger protection, conservation, and sustainable management of the site.
• Overall, the UNESCO tag serves as a powerful tool for safeguarding heritage while boosting international prestige, research interest, and local development.

Sirpur’s Historical Significance

• Sirpur — also known as Shripur or Sripura — was a vibrant multi-religious urban centre first documented in 1882 by Alexander Cunningham, ASI’s first Director-General.
• Excavations from the 1950s to the 2000s uncovered a rich tapestry of monuments dating back to the 5th Century AD, showcasing the city’s cultural and architectural splendour.

A Multi-Religious Heritage Hub

• The site contains 22 Shiva temples, five Vishnu temples, 10 Buddhist viharas, and three Jain viharas.
• It flourished as the capital of Dakshina Kosala under the Panduvanshi and Somavamshi dynasties.
• Archaeological remains include palace complexes, markets, residences, stupas, brick temples, meditation cells, and ancient water systems.

Remarkable Monuments and Architecture

• Lakshmana Temple (7th Century) is one of India’s finest brick temples, dedicated to Vishnu.
• Surang Tila stands on a high terrace with a steep staircase of 37 steps and features a dramatic panchayatana layout.
  • The Panchayatana layout is a temple architectural style featuring a central shrine surrounded by four smaller subsidiary shrines at each corner of a square, making a total of five shrines
• Large Buddhist viharas and stupas point to Sirpur’s role as a major Buddhist centre, including the Tivaradeva Mahavihara with its notable Buddha statue.

A Sacred Riverine Cultural Landscape

• Sirpur’s location along the Mahanadi River enhances its spiritual and cultural significance. 
• The presence of ghats, temples, and ancient settlements forms a rich riverine landscape that aligns with UNESCO’s vision of combined natural and cultural heritage — strengthening Sirpur’s case for World Heritage status.

What the Govt Plans To Do

• Tourists currently spend nearly three hours navigating scattered village tracks to see Sirpur’s monuments. 
• The Chhattisgarh government plans to reduce this by an hour through paved heritage pathways and battery-operated vehicles, enabling smoother and eco-friendly movement across the site.

Thematic Clusters and Integrated Pathways

• Sirpur naturally divides into four heritage zones:
  • Buddhist Monastic Cluster
  • Hindu Temple Cluster
  • Civic–Administrative Zone
  • Riverine Sacred Landscape
• A primary pathway will link all four thematic clusters, while a secondary pathway will provide last-mile access to each monument, ensuring a coherent visitor experience.

Land Transfer for Unified Site Management

• To strengthen conservation and streamline administration, the ASI has requested 30 hectares of state land around the site. 
• This includes land near major monuments, approach routes, buffer zones, and areas needed for heritage management infrastructure.
• Identified archaeological mounds and zones with high potential will undergo fresh surveys and excavations, allowing ASI to uncover more structures and strengthen Sirpur’s bid for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Source: IE | UNESCO