Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman Boosts Heritage Tourism with 7 Archaeological Sites

• FM Sitharaman announced a push for heritage tourism, naming 7 archaeological sites for development in Budget 2026.
• The identified sites include Lothal and Dholavira in Gujarat, Rakhigarhi in Haryana, and Hastinapur in Uttar Pradesh.
• Adichanallur in Tamil Nadu, Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, and Leh Palace in Ladakh are also part of the initiative.
• Lothal, an Indus Valley port town, is known for its ancient dockyard, while Dholavira is a UNESCO site with advanced urban planning.
• Rakhigarhi is the largest Harappan settlement, Hastinapur is a Mahabharata-era capital, and Sarnath is significant for Buddhist heritage.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 focuses on heritage tourism by developing 7 key archaeological sites across India.