Chhattisgarh archaeological site Sirpur enters UNESCO tentative list

Sirpur in Chhattisgarh has made it to the UNESCO tentative list, bringing the ancient site one step closer to World Heritage status. Located on the eastern banks of the Mahanadi River in Mahasamund district, the site features remains from the 5th century to the 12th century CE. Dhammshil Ganvir, Chief Executive Officer of the Special Area Development Authority in Sirpur, stated that the inclusion will help boost tourism and put the site on the global map. M Kalimuthu, Superintending Archaeologist for the Archaeological Survey of India Raipur circle, noted that authorities now have one year to prepare and submit a detailed nomination dossier to UNESCO.

Details And Monuments

The site spans multiple religious traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It contains 22 Shiva temples, five Vaishnava temples, 10 Buddhist viharas, and three Jain viharas. Among these, the Lakshmana Temple, built around the 7th century, stands as one of India's finest brick temples. Sirpur once served as a flourishing capital of Dakshina Kosala under the Panduvanshi and Somavamshi kings, containing remains of palace complexes, market structures, residential quarters, stupas, and ancient water management systems.

Next Steps And Upgrades

Preparing the dossier requires detailing buffer zones, conservation plans, management systems, and proof of Outstanding Universal Value. Authorities may then invite an advisory mission from UNESCO, ICOMOS, or IUCN to visit the site. Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh government and the ASI have worked to improve the area by paving connecting pathways, restricting transport on the premises to battery-operated vehicles, and planning eco-friendly lawns and gardens.

Context

Inclusion on the UNESCO tentative list is a preliminary stage that allows a country to formally propose a property for World Heritage consideration in subsequent years. Archaeological sites across India often undergo extensive conservation and infrastructure planning to meet global preservation standards before receiving final designation.