Odisha lauds inclusion of 3 Buddhist sites in UNESCO Tentative List
Analysis
• The Odisha government has lauded the inclusion of three major Buddhist sites — Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri and Udaygiri — in UNESCO’s Tentative List of India for consideration as World Heritage Sites.
• According to Odisha’s historical tradition, these sites are identified as the ‘Diamond Triangle’ of the Buddhist circuit.
• The region is believed to have witnessed the propagation of all three major schools of Buddhism:
– Hinayana
– Mahayana
– Vajrayana
• The three sites are located in the undivided Cuttack district of Odisha.
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the nodal agency for the World Heritage Convention on behalf of India, compiled the required documentation and submitted the nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre through Vishal V. Sharma.
• Inclusion in the Tentative List is a mandatory prerequisite before a site can be formally nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List.
• The development is expected to strengthen:
– Heritage tourism in the region
– Academic research on Buddhism
– Conservation and preservation efforts
Significance
• Highlights Odisha’s historical role as a major centre of Buddhist learning and monastic activity.
• Reinforces India’s efforts to promote Buddhist heritage at the global level.
• Enhances international recognition of eastern India’s archaeological and cultural legacy.
Static Background
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites are categorized as Cultural, Natural, or Mixed.
• A country must first place a property on its Tentative List before seeking final inscription.
• The Diamond Triangle represents one of the most significant clusters of early medieval Buddhist remains in India.
Updated - 26 February 2026 | News Source: Deccan Herald