00 Under the leadership of Chief Minister Sai and Tourism Minister Agarwal, the Sirpur Special Area Development Authority accelerated the nomination process.
00 Union Tourism and Culture Minister Shekhawat's visit to Sirpur strengthened the state government's claim.

Raipur. Chhattisgarh's ancient gem, Sirpur, is poised to enter the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Sirpur Special Area Development Authority, led by Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai and Tourism Minister Rajesh Agarwal, has accelerated the nomination process. A visit by Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has made it inevitable at the federal level. Final approval is highly likely in the new year, granting the state its first World Heritage Site. Renowned as a multi-religious urban center since the sixth century, Sirpur has witnessed the coexistence of Buddhist, Jain, Hindu, and Shaiva-Vaishnava traditions. Over 125 excavated sites, including the Lakshmana Temple, Buddhist Viharas, ancient residential complexes, markets, and river ghats, have been jointly documented by the Archaeological Survey of India and the State Archaeology Department. The Archaeological Survey of India and state tourism agencies have completed a detailed inspection of Sirpur to ensure it meets the international standards of security, presentation, and visitor management required for the UNESCO tag. This report has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Culture to strengthen the proposal, including the Sirpur Special Area Development Authority's report by November 2025.

On January 1, 2026, Mr. Shekhawat visited Sirpur with Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Sharma and Tourism Minister Mr. Rajesh Agarwal. He inspected the Laxman Temple, Anand Prabhu Kuti Vihar, Tivardev Vihar, Tunnel Tila, and Haat Bazaar and directed that the original structure be preserved and connectivity be enhanced. Mr. Shekhawat stated that efforts are underway to include Sirpur in the UNESCO World Heritage List. He further stated that Sirpur is a historic city, once the capital of the state. Visiting Sirpur, witnessing its heritage, understanding its development journey over a thousand years, and experiencing its glorious past certainly creates a thrill in the mind and body. It is a matter of immense privilege to have had the opportunity to visit all this, to witness and understand the history and glory of our ancestors. This site, registered by the Archaeological Survey of India, is one of the 140 centrally protected monuments in the country. The Government of India and the State Government are working together to preserve and maintain the heritage here. Given the importance of this region and its location, there is immense potential for tourism development here. As the Tourism Minister, I can say that if this area is provided with proper connectivity and the basic tourism facilities are developed, Chhattisgarh will undoubtedly achieve a new tourism destination in the future. Chhattisgarh is being recognized as a state with a rich historical heritage and natural resources. Sirpur is crucial for Chhattisgarh to become a hub of tourism activities in the future. This visit by the Union Tourism Minister strengthens the state government's report, as Sirpur is one of the 140 protected monuments.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai said that Sirpur is the cultural soul of Chhattisgarh. UNESCO recognition will provide global recognition, boost tourism, and create thousands of jobs for local youth. On his instructions, the Sirpur Special Area Development Authority, in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India, prepared a master plan for 125 excavation sites. This includes major sites including the Laxman Temple, Anand Prabhu Kuti Vihar, Tivardev Vihar, Surung Tila, and Gandeshwar Temple. The November 2025 report has reached the Union Ministry, and the final review took place in December.

Tourism Minister Mr. Rajesh Agarwal stated that Sirpur will be developed into a global tourism hub. Battery e-carts, 3D interpretation centers, homestay clusters, heritage shuttles, and guided walks are being launched. Four heritage circuits will connect Buddhist monasteries to the Laxman Temple. Work is underway on road upgrades, digital signage, cleanliness, and circuit management. Emphasis will be placed on guide training, handicraft markets, and eco-friendly stays for local benefit.

It is noteworthy that Sirpur was the capital of South Kosala. The Lakshmana Temple is Sirpur's most famous and oldest Hindu temple, built in the 6th-7th century. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is primarily constructed of red bricks. Queen Vasatadevi built it in memory of her husband, King Harshagupta. It is also considered a symbol of a love story. Tivaradeva Vihara is an ancient Buddhist monastery, dated to the 7th-8th century. It was built largely of bricks, and its remains have been excavated. This monastery, associated with the Buddhist sect, was used by followers of Buddha in Sirpur for meditation, education, and religious practices. Ananda Prabhu Kuti Vihara is a major Buddhist site in Sirpur, founded by the monk Ananda Prabhu. This monastery is a large Buddhist monastery with 14 rooms, with a main entrance and beautifully carved pillars. A large statue of Buddha and other Buddhist statues are found here. Tunnel Tila is a unique archaeological site in Sirpur, containing the remains of an ancient temple. This 7th-century temple has five sanctums, each containing a Shivalinga and a Ganesha image, highlighting the diversity of this religious site.

It is a rare blend of Hindu-Buddhist-Jain architecture, comparable to Angkor Wat or Bodh Gaya. Chhattisgarh's entry into India's 44 World Heritage Sites in the combined cultural-natural category will be through Sirpur. The UNESCO tag is expected to generate global funding, direct and indirect employment opportunities, and tourism revenues of over 5 billion rupees. It is noteworthy that Sirpur, originally known as Shripur/Shripura, is an ancient city on the banks of the Mahanadi River, with a history spanning from the 5th to the 12th centuries. It has been a major political, religious, and cultural center of South Kosala, and it boasts a rare collection of pilgrimage sites, monasteries, temples, and viharas belonging to all three religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Excavations have uncovered the remains of 22 Shiva temples, 5 Vishnu temples, 10 Buddhist viharas, and 3 Jain viharas.