Nalanda university site inspected for World Heritage tag

An expert team of Unesco and the Paris-based International Council of Monuments and Sites (Icomos) visited the site of the ancient Nalanda University near here to see whether it can be accorded a World Heritage tag, officials said on Wednesday.

"The ancient Nalanda University is a step closer to becoming the second World Heritage site in Bihar after the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya," a district official in Nalanda, 100 km from here, said.

According to officials, the Unesco-Icomos experts visited architectural remains of the university and examined and inspected the walls and other remains.

The team, officials said, will also interact with locals to understand their age-old life style.

India has long been approaching Unesco (UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation) to recognise Nalanda university as a World Heritage site.

The university of Nalanda existed until 1197 AD and attracted students and scholars from Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Indonesia, Persia and Turkey, among others.

Though it was devoted to Buddhist studies, the ancient varsity also trained students in subjects like fine arts, medicine and mathematics.