Six "rocas" (colonial-era plantations) in Sao Tome and Principe have been added the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2026, in recognition of their architecture and their fundamental importance to the country’s history.


Sao Tome colonial plantations 'rocas' added to UNESCO list

India's ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, making it the country's 45th site to receive the prestigious recognition.&nbsp;The decision was taken on Saturday during the ongoing 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea.&nbsp;UNESCO announced the inscription in a post on X, saying, "BREAKING! New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath, #India".&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the recognition and described it as a proud moment for every Indian. He highlighted Sarnath's deep connection with Lord Buddha and his message of wisdom, compassion and harmony.&nbsp;"A proud moment for every Indian! Delighted that Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List," Modi said in a post on X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A proud moment for every Indian! Delighted that Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sarnath has a close association with Lord Buddha, whose timeless message of wisdom, compassion and harmony inspires the world. This recognition… <a href="https://t.co/KkdMOg6g0d">https://t.co/KkdMOg6g0d</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2080973064607867170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Prime Minister said Sarnath has a close association with Lord Buddha, whose timeless message of wisdom, compassion and harmony inspires people across the world.&nbsp;"This recognition celebrates India’s profound civilisational and spiritual heritage. It will also inspire more people across the world to come to Sarnath and connect with the ideals of Lord Buddha," he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/direct-democracy-straight-from-streets-sonam-wangchuk-hails-dharmendra-pradhan-s-resignation-1784974202262">'Direct democracy, straight from streets': Sonam Wangchuk hails Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation</a><h2>Why Sarnath is significant</h2>Located around 10 kilometres from Varanasi, Sarnath is among the four most sacred pilgrimage sites linked to the life of Buddha.&nbsp;According to Buddhist tradition, Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath after attaining Enlightenment. The event is known as the Dharmachakra Pravartana, or Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dharma. It was also here that he established the Buddhist Sangha.&nbsp;The archaeological remains at the site date from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE. They include stupas, monasteries, temples, remains of the Ashokan pillar and several other structural and sculptural remains.&nbsp;The Dhamekh Stupa and Dharmarajika Stupa are among Sarnath's most prominent monuments.The Lion Capital that once stood atop Ashoka's pillar at Sarnath was later adopted as India's National Emblem.&nbsp;Sarnath received patronage from the Maurya, Kushana and Gupta dynasties over the centuries and grew into an important centre of Buddhist religious activity. Its sculptures, particularly those from the Gupta period, are considered outstanding examples of Indian Buddhist art.

Sarnath has joined the UNESCO World Heritage List as India's 45th site, recognising its importance as a major Buddhist pilgrimage and heritage centre.

India's ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, making it the country's 45th site to receive the prestigious recognition. The decision was taken on Saturday during the ongoing 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea. UNESCO announced the inscription in a post on X, saying, "BREAKING! New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath, #India". Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the recognition and described it as a proud moment for every Indian. He highlighted Sarnath's deep connection with Lord Buddha and his message of wisdom, compassion and harmony. "A proud moment for every Indian! Delighted that Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List," Modi said in a post on X.

Sarnath has joined the UNESCO World Heritage List as India's 45th site, recognising its importance as a major Buddhist pilgrimage and heritage centre.

Sarnath gets UNESCO World Heritage status: Know all about the ancient Buddhist site

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed UNESCO's decision to add Diwali to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement was made amid the ongoing UNESCO committee session in New Delhi on Wednesday. PM Modi labelled the move by UNESCO as a recognition of pride for India.&nbsp;Following the announcement, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on his social media platform X that "people in India and around the world are thrilled”. “For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness,” he said. Modi added that the recognition by UNESCO would further enhance the global visibility of Diwali. “May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity,” he further added.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">People in India and around the world are thrilled. For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness. The addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List will… <a href="https://t.co/JxKEDsv8fT">https://t.co/JxKEDsv8fT</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1998642499200643262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>Representatives are examining several nominations</h3>The annual session of the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage is taking place in Delhi from Tuesday to Thursday. Representatives from 78 nations are examining several nominations aimed at preserving and promoting living cultural traditions worldwide. UNESCO notes that the list helps highlight cultural diversity and protects heritage for future generations.&nbsp;To commemorate the event, the Delhi government has organised several activities, including special lighting at prominent landmarks, themed decorations across major roads, and a large lamp-lighting ceremony.&nbsp;Meanwhile, in a post on social media platform on X, the Ministry of External Affairs hailed the inscription “a joyous moment”, adding that Deepavali’s global celebration and its themes of renewal and hope made it an important addition to the heritage list of UNESCO.&nbsp;The Festival of Lights, Diwali, is a major Indian festival that signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists with diyas (lamps), fireworks, feasts, and gifts. This festival commemorates different legends, like Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya (Hinduism) or Lord Mahavira's nirvana (Jainism), and often marks the Hindu New Year, featuring family gatherings, home decorations (rangoli), and prayers for prosperity.

The announcement was made amid the ongoing UNESCO committee session in New Delhi on Wednesday. PM Narendra Modi labelled the move by UNESCO as a recognition of pride for India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed UNESCO's decision to add Diwali to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement was made amid the ongoing UNESCO committee session in New Delhi on Wednesday. PM Modi labelled the move by UNESCO as a recognition of pride for India. Following the announcement, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on his social media platform X that "people in India and around the world are thrilled”. “For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness,” he said. Modi added that the recognition by UNESCO would further enhance the global visibility of Diwali. “May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity,” he further added.

The announcement was made amid the ongoing UNESCO committee session in New Delhi on Wednesday. PM Narendra Modi labelled the move by UNESCO as a recognition of pride for India.

'People in India, around the world are thrilled': PM Modi hails UNESCO’s inclusion of Diwali in global heritage list

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Sao Tome colonial plantations 'rocas' added to UNESCO list

Sarnath gets UNESCO World Heritage status: Know all about ancient Buddhist site

PM Modi hails UNESCO’s inclusion of Diwali in global heritage list