Mathura Vrindavan, steeped in Indian folklore to become tourist hotspot

Mathura: It's a land steeped in Indian folklore, a land where Lord Krishna and his 'gopis' (consorts) are believed to have once romped in gay abandon. Now, the tourism ministry is set to spend over Rs.120 crore ($20 million) on the infrastructural development of the Mathura-Vrindavan pilgrimage circuit, a move that will transform the profile of a land visited by millions round the year.

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a Braj Heritage Planning Board to suggest ideas and monitor implementation of projects in the Braj area. The union government has already declared Mathura a heritage city.

Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma at a function held last week told mediapersons that a new international airport would be sited along the Yamuna Expressway that links Mathura to Agra on one end and to Greater Noida on the national capital's outskirts on the other.

Stating that a new circuit centred around the cult of Lord Krishna, part of the Hindu Trinity and one of its most beloved personal gods, is being developed from Akshardham in Delhi to Mathura, the minister said Rs. 120 crore would be spent on developing the "Braj Chaurasi Kos" that includes Vrindavan, Goverdhan, Gokul, Barsana, Nandgaon, Kokila Van, Sher Garh and Mahavan areas.

Mathura's Member of Parliament and Bharatiya Janata Party leder Hema Malini wants the airport to come up at Mahavan in Mathura district on the Expressway. Both the Uttar Pradesh and central governments appear keen to speed up development of the Braj area which draws tourists and Krishna devotees from across the world.

"With so much money pouring in, the profile of the Sri Krishna land is set to change in the coming years," Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society president Surednra Sharma told IANS.

The region, however, has been facing a tough time in the wake of widespread encroachments and traffic snarls for a long time, giving commuters a difficult time while visiting this place.

The authorities have, however, started initiating strong steps now against encroachments.

A major anti-encroachment drive to clear roads leading to Goverdhan and the district's Sonkh town from the national highway, ahead of the month-long festival season, has been launched with discernible results.

"We had written so many times to the district administration but there was no result. Now now it seems the process has begun against encroachment," Braj Bachao Samiti member Rhais Qureshi told IANS.

"Holi Gate, Deeg Gate and Bharatpur Gate areas continue to remain heavily encroached upon. The administration is worried because the annual Mudiya Poonau fair will draw over eight million pilgrims and thousands of vehicles," according to local activists.

"The Mandi crossing was the biggest bottleneck for thousands of daily commuters. The administrative machinery had been reluctant to clear the encroachments due to political pressure," the activists alleged.

In one instance, the "anti-encroachment drive was abruptly halted for some time on the Goverdhan crossing three days ago due to a well-connected roadside hotel owner," a source said.

Denying any such incidents, city magistrate Vinay Kumar told IANS: "We are not afraid of anyone. We demolished the walls and the person who opposed was told in no unclear terms that no one would be spared."

"The campaign will continue and we will remove all bottlenecks," he added.

The entire city is dwarfed by encroachments. Thousands of pilgrims who visit Braj Mandal daily have to face traffic snarls for hours.

According to Vijay Kant Katara, of Braj Bachao Samiti, there is not a single crossing in the city without encroachments. "You cannot even move on foot. Interestingly, traffic policemen are never available to manage the movement of vehicles," Katara told IANS.

The situation in Vrindavan is worse, as motorists from Delhi, Noida and Agra headed for Mathura or Vrindavan these days are facing all kinds of problems. Luxury buses are stranded for hours or are made to hold up by corrupt policemen.

District authorities keep experimenting with traffic plans, though the problem remains, said Mathura residents Ashok Agarwal and Pavan Kumar.

http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2015-06-17/Mathura-Vrindavan-steeped-in-Indian-folklore-to-become-tourist-hotspot-157725

Sri Krishna Janmashtami at ISKCON Bangalore

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Pilgrims visit Mathura on occasion of 'Adhik Maas'

Mathura: As millions of pilgrims visit Brij Bhoomi on the auspicious occasion of "Adhik Maas" from June 17 to July 17, questions are being asked how many experts bodies would be good enough to manage developmental activities in Mathura. 

Adhik Maas is a month long religious functions. In the Hindu calender, an extra month is added after three years. This year an extra Asaadh has been added and it occurs after 19 years.

While local member of parliament (MP) Hema Malini has her own vision of development, the saints of Braj Mandal, international society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) spiritual leaders and Sadhvi Ritambhara, want the original glory and heritage status to be restored. As of now mosts are opposed to the current trend for speedy development.

"Around 21-member experts committee would be formed to give suggestions for development of Mathura and Vrindavan. He has already announced Rs.120 crore for Mathura's infrastructural development," said Mahesh Sharma, union minister of state for tourism.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has already constituted a city level advisory committee for heritage city development. The committee includes all the member of legislative assembly (MLAs), member of parliament (MP), senior officials, representatives of local bodies, GLA university chancellor, Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority vice chairman and secretary, architect Mayank Garg, city anchor Vineet Narain of Braj Foundation, software engineer Ranjeet Singh. This committee will make plans and submit for implementation.

The elected local self government bodies are also busy drawing up their individual plans Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Sonkh, Gokul and Barsana. Their proposals and detailed project reports (DPRs) are under consideration of various funding bodies.

The uttar pradesh (UP) Awas Vikas Parishad has drawn up a long term development plan for the twin cities. Residential areas are accordingly being segregated and taken up for phased development.

As a part of the Taj Trapezium Zone, the eco-sensitive area of 10,400 sq km around the Taj Mahal, no plan for development can progress without a clearance from the Taj Trapezium Zone Authority that came into existence in 1984 with approval from the parliament after the M.C Mehta PIL on Taj pollution.

"With such a plethora of bodies often at logger heads, how can a coordinated plan for heritage conservation in the Braj area move ahead. This is why, you only see haphazard clusters of mismanagement and inefficiency due to large scale corruption. The Forest department and the UP state pollution control board have a little say in matters relating to urban development," said Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society.

"Instead of creating so many new bodies, filled with too many politicians, the existing nagar palikas, gram panchayats, the zila parishad, and other similar statutory bodies should have been empowered to get the locals involved in the development of their areas. Outsiders can not do justice as they do not have the same vision like locals about Mathura's development," said BBS members in a memorandum to the district magistrate on Tuesday," said Braj Bachao Samiti members.

IANS 

http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/pilgrims-visit-mathura-on-ocassion-of-adhik-maas_1614424.html

BJP launches cleanliness drive in Mathura

BJP today launched a cleanliness drive here as part of the Narendra Modi government's 'Swachh Bharat' campaign. 

Ahead of the auspiscious Hindu month which begins from June 17, and during which lakhs of pilgrims are expected in the region linked with Lord Krishna, party secretary Shrikant Sharma held meetings with locals, urging them to take measures to keep the town clean. 

BJP also issued an appeal to the Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav-led state government, urging him to ensure round-the-clock supply of power and water besides mobile toilets to cater to pilgrims. 

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"We urged locals, shopkeepers and other stakeholders to take measures to keep the place clean. We also met people coming from outside. We hope pilgrims will have a better exprience this year," Sharma said. 

The BJP team visited places like Braj, Gokul, 'Giriraj ji parikrama' which are associated with Krishna.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bjp-launches-cleanliness-drive-in-mathura-115061400693_1.html

Government decides to develop 'Krishna Circuit' in Mathura

Mathura: In a bid to attract international tourists, the Centre has decided to develop a "Krishna Circuit" consisting of five places related to Lord Krishna in Mathura, Union Minister Mahesh Sharma said.

"The Government has decided to develop a Krishna Circuit from Akshar Dham in Delhi to Brijbhumi in five stages. 'Brij Chaurasi Kos Parikrama' would also be given a facelift after a demarcation of the area," Union Minister for Tourism Mahesh Sharma told reporters on the sidelines of an event daban, Goverdhan, Nandgaon-Barsana, Dauji-Gokul and Mant mini- circuits. After the demarcation of Chaurasi Kos Parikrama, its infra-structure would be developed... Separate roads would be constructed from Expressway to Mathura and Vrindaban," Sharma said.

The Union government is contemplating to establish airport very close to Yamuna Express way, he said, adding that the infra-structure would be developed from airport to Tajmahal.

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/government-decides-to-develop-krishna-circuit-in-mathura-union-minister-mahesh-sharma-1005800.html

10 arrested for planning forcible takeover of Barsana temple in Mathura

Barsana (Uttar Pradesh): Ten members of a gang planning the forcible takeover of the famous Radha Rani temple in Barsana town in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh were arrested and firearms, bombs and live cartridges seized from them, police said on Wednesday. "The arrested persons have been sent to jail," Mathura Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rakesh Prasad Singh told IANS.

The SSP said that a team comprising Superintendent of Police (rural) Ajay Kumar, Chata CO Atul Kumar Srivastav and Barsana SO Rajendra Nagar detained one person, Dinesh Das, on Monday night in connection with the case. Vijendra and Itwari of Kama tehsil in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan were also arrested. Following their interrogation, police arrested six others from Vijendra's house and seized several bombs, .315 bore rifles and live cartridges.

A case under the Arms and Explosives Act was registered against the accused, including Nanha Singh, Vasudev, Mukesh, Nahar Singh, Vinod and Baney Singh. Police said that Dinesh claimed ownership of the temple on the basis of documents, including a will, in his possession. He said he has orders from Chata tehsil court in his favour as well. Goswami Samaj, which manages the temple, however refuted Dinesh's contention and said the documents were "forged". In the past week, Provincial Armed Constabulary and personnel from neighbouring police stations were deployed here in view of the tense situation over the temple issue.

http://www.mid-day.com/articles/10-arrested-for-planning-forcible-takeover-of-barsana-temple-in-mathura/16280190#sthash.ADmspONM.dpuf

Ambiguity prevails among goshala owners in Mathura

Ambiguity prevails among goshala owners after authorities declared Mathura a 'Cow protected zone' last month. 

"Those who go to the Rural Development Office... Return disillusioned because the cows and gaushalas are not on the priority list of the district authorities," Braj Bachao Samiti president Manoj Choudhary said. 

The district was declared a 'Goshala Kshetra' or cow-shelter region by Commissioner Bhatnagar. 

The Gaushala owners also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Development Officer (CDO) Andra Vamsi demanding arrangement of fodder at subsidised rates for the 20,000 odd cows and they had faced a shortage of good quality fodder. 

However, Vamsi said, the government was already giving subsidy on gobar gas plants and goshala owners should take measures to convert cow dung into precious compost manure and market it to increase incomes. 

"We are soon going to send 15-20 farmers to learn techniques of arid region farming at the National Institute in Hyderabad. The local farmers should know how to cope with problem of hard water, brackish water and what techniques to adopt to face water scarcity," Vamsi told PTI. 

Tej Pal Singh, an NGO functionary, said "the problem of domestic waste could be solved at the source if vermi-compost units were set up in all the villages. The manure produced by the earth worms now commands an attractive price and has a big market. Farmers need to be encouraged since the raw material is locally available.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ambiguity-prevails-among-goshala-owners-in-mathura-115060800451_1.html

Realty high in Krishna’s city

The Yamuna Expressway has not only proven to be a perfect landing strip for IAF’s supersonic fighter jets, it has also made the real estate fortunes in cities like Vrindavan and Mathura take off to touch new heights. With the Expressway cutting down commuting time between these cities and Delhi considerably, a large number of buyers are now considering these temple towns as options for second homes. All this is evident from the heightened real estate activity and launch of new projects in these cities over the past couple of years after the Expressway became operational. 

Vrindavan, which is at a distance of about 164 km from Delhi and 10 km from Mathura, has taken a lead in this regard with over a dozen residential projects under construction at the moment which include a couple of integrated townships also. The city suffused with the imprint of Lord Krishna and his consort Radha, holds a special place in the hearts of Krishna worshippers from all over the world. 

Demand drivers

Each year millions of devotees visit this small town which is fast becoming a bustling city with multi-storey apartment blocks and commercial centres springing up on the outskirts of the city. According to experts a majority of buyers are from Delhi and other cities in UP as well as NRIs  as only 15-20 per cent of buyers are from Vrindavan. “The demand here is mostly from the buyers in Delhi and NCR region who are looking for a second home here where they can come on weekends and enjoy the spiritual ambience of the city”, says Ravindra Chamaria, Chairman & Managing Director, Infinity Group, that is investing 1,000 crore on Krishnabhoomi project in Vrindavan. Apart from this the refinery in Mathura as well educational institutions like GLA University, Rajiv Gandhi College and School, KG Dental College also generate demand in the realty sector.  Growth of industry is another positive factor for the growth of real estate sector here. According to real estate experts industry in this belt is likey to grow at a rate of over 40 per cent over the next four to five years and this will not onl6y mean more jobs and influx of workforce but also a demand for housing options. “The infrastructure proposals connecting the three cities – Delhi, NCR and other parts of Uttar Pradesh - have aided this demand. This includes the operational Yamuna Expressway and the widening of NH-2 (underway)”, says Mohit Goel, CEO, Omaxe Limited. 

Market contours

With local as well as national level players launching their projects the buyers have a lot to choose from in terms of residential units as well as the  price range. “There is something to fit every pocket here right from Rs 1800 per sq ft to Rs 3100 per sq ft”, says Ramesh Mishra, who runs a property consultancy in Vrindavan. Most of the residential projects by private as well the government schemes offer one, two, three BHK apartments, villas, studio as well as serviced apartments. The market has witnessed 25-35 per cent growth over the past couple of years, according to local property dealers.

Projects and pricing

A mix of ancient and the modern is one of the chief characteristics of Vrindavan city as one can see ancient temples as well as modern ones with musical fountains and laser lighting; traditional chappan bhog and kachori and lassi shops alongside fast food joints and saffron clad ascetics rubbing shoulders with skirt and denim-clad modern-day gurus. This confluence of cultures is also evident on the realty scene. So while on the one hand there are a large number of traditional ashrams, home-stays ,old havelis and cobbled streets there are also multi-storeyed apartment towers , villas and penthouses. Several local players are developing  relatively smaller residential projects  national players like Omaxe and Kolkata-based Infinity group have high-end products on offer.   The Infinity group is part of the Krishnabhoomi project wherein ISKCON will be constructing 700 ft high 'Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir', which will be the tallest Krishna temple in the world. The 114-acre project will have temple over 70 acres and residential development on 44 acres by the Infinity group. The work on the project is in full swing. It will have 800 apartments in 11 towers and 568 studio apartments in the price range of Rs 20 lakh and Rs 63 lakh for 3 BHK apartments. It will also have 140 villas in  3,500 sq ft area and priced between Rs 1.75 and Rs 5 crore.

The Omaxe group has 95-acre Omaxe Eternity integrated township project underway on Chatikkra Road. Over 150 families are already living in the township with over 70-80 families visiting regularly on weekends. Ready second floor apartment in the project cosats Rs 14.5 lakh, while first floor and ground is for Rs 25 lakh. According to group’s local spokesperson the prices have appreciated considerably over the past three years. “The price at the time of launch was Rs 6.6 lakh at launch and today it is Rs 25 lakh”. The phase II will have 114 two BHK flats. Krishna Crest has commercial serviced apartments with assured return for  Rs 4,600 and Rs 4,500 per sq ft for fully furnished apartments.  A number of residential projects are coming up in Rukmini Vihar locality and projects like NRI Greens  by Shri Group, Krishna Greens and Sharnam by Giriraj Group also have families living in there. Goverdhan Vas apartments is another residential project that was launched in May 2014. 

Several government developmental projects in the area are also eyeing tourist investment in real estate sector, which hasincreased the investment potential of the holy city of Vrindavan. 

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/real-estate/realty-high-in-krishna-s-city/86922.html