Why in 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.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• UNESCO World Heritage Tag
• Sirpur’s Historical Significance
• What the govt plans to do?

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
  • 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.