Bankey Bihari to be
renovated; Vrindavan, Barsana to get better amenities
The
famous 150-year-old Shri Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan (Mathura) is all set
for a major facelift with a Rs.70-crore plan to provide better facilities and
modern amenities to lakhs of devotees and tourists. Read Introduction toVrindavana
The
redevelopment plan in part of the Rs.440-crore World Bank project that
envisages creation of the Braj tourism circuit covering major tourism
destinations around Mathura, including towns and hamlets like Vrindavan,
Goverdhan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Gokul and Baldev.
Official
sources said a high-level meet of World Bank officials and Indian authorities
with representatives from tourism and other departments has already been held
and the work on the ambitious project is likely to begin after mid-2015.
As
the Braj region attracts a large number of tourists and devotees from India and
abroad, the project will focus on developing world-class infrastructure and
create places of tourist attractions in the entire region, they said.
The
World Bank has agreed to fund redevelopment and beautification of the temple in
Vrindavan, which is regarded as the holiest temple for Lord Krishna devotees.
The
temple, built in 1864, needs urgent restoration and expansion to meet to
growing demand of visitors.
While
Rs.100 crore has been earmarked for development and rejuvenation of around 100
'kunds' (water bodies) that fall on the “parikrama (circumambulation)”
route besides upgrading civic and parking facilities in the circuit towns,
Rs.10 crore would be spent on improving basic amenities for tourists.
Another
Rs.40 crore has been earmarked for developing a forest spread over 400 acres
between Mathura and Vrindavan to improve the environment.
Similarly,
a haat (small traditional market) like the one in Delhi which
is a popular tourist destination is also being planned in Vrindavan.
Over
Rs. 40 crore would be spent on it to promote local art and artistes. Another
Rs.6 crore would be spent on creating a new website and promotion of places of
attraction in the Braj tourists circuit, while Rs.10 crore fund is for
promotion of unique culture of the Braj region, particularly various forms of
its world-famous Holi celebrations.
The
WB would also give Rs.55 crore for developing unique tourists centres at
Vrindavan, Goverdhan and Barsana, all closely associated with Lork Krishna
while Rs.10 crore would be for creating special walking tracks in old Vrindavan
areas associated with the mythology of Lord Krishna and his rule. “In couple of
years, the Braj region would emerge as one of the best tourism circuits in the
country,” the officials added.
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