Lucknow, Aug. 9 -- In a renewed push to gain global recognition for India's Buddhist heritage, the Uttar Pradesh tourism department has intensified its efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for Sarnath, one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites. A high-level joint meeting between the state tourism department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was held in Lucknow on Thursday to finalise preparations ahead of UNESCO's nomination review scheduled for September.

India has officially nominated Sarnath for inclusion under the 2025-26 UNESCO World Heritage nomination cycle. Located near Varanasi, Sarnath is revered as the site where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, making it a fou...