New Delhi, March 13: A proposal to expedite Varanasi’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage City has been put forth in the Rajya Sabha. The demand was made to the government during a session on Friday.
It was highlighted that Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Its ancient temples, mythical Ganga ghats, and centuries-old cultural traditions make it truly unique. The city’s music, art, and architecture are renowned globally, establishing its identity worldwide.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Seth emphasized the need to draw attention to Varanasi’s tourism potential and cultural heritage, referring to it as the city of Lord Shiva. He noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, Varanasi has undergone significant development over the past eleven years. Before 2014, the city faced issues like pollution, broken roads, and tangled power lines. Today, it is rapidly emerging as a modern, global city. The Prime Minister has initiated infrastructure projects worth over ₹60,000 crores during his numerous visits to the city. Whether it’s the construction of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor, the renovation of ghats, or road widening, development is evident everywhere.
Additionally, projects worth over ₹10,000 crores have been approved through the railway sector, and the benefits are visible on the ground. This improved infrastructure has had a direct impact on tourism. According to 2025 statistics, over 7.26 crore tourists visited Varanasi, including visitors from 120 countries. This indicates that Varanasi has become a major global tourism hub.
Despite its rich cultural heritage and status as one of the oldest living cities, Varanasi has not yet been officially included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. However, in 2015, UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network recognized Varanasi as a City of Music. As of early 2026, India has 44 sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Ahmedabad was declared India’s first World Heritage City in 2017, followed by Jaipur in 2019. Two significant sites in Varanasi, Sarnath and the historical ghats, have been included in UNESCO’s tentative list since 1998 and 2021, respectively.
Seth urged the government and the Ministry of Culture to expedite the formal proposal for Varanasi’s UNESCO World Heritage City designation, ensuring that this ancient and sacred city receives the global recognition it rightfully deserves.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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