Latest news with #BankeBihari
Hans India
a day ago
- Business
- Hans India
Vrindavan corridor necessary to handle huge crowd, will benefit all: Hema Malini
Mathura: Veteran actress and three-time Mathura MP Hema Malini on Tuesday appealed to the Vrindavan's Goswamis to let the corridor development work kick off, as in the current state, the temple does not have enough space to accommodate the number of devotees reaching there. In an exclusive interaction with IANS, Hema Malini said the Rs 500 crore Banke Bihari temple corridor in Vrindavan should come up, as "it's now or never". Allaying fears of the shopkeepers, property owners, and people on rent who fear huge losses during the corridor redevelopment, Hema Malini said that the Yogi Adityanath government has already promised that those losing their property and even those who do not have papers will get compensation, and those losing their shops will get a new shop in the developed corridor. She pointed out that if it is not built, the situation will worsen beyond imagination. On the Goswamis opposing the project, she said: "They should understand. They should have made some proper arrangements to manage the crowd. Around 5,000 people are being let into a place that can accommodate 50 people. There are so many tragedies happening. It's not a way to visit a temple. It seems like approaching a battlefield." Due to the huge crowd, many people return as they are unable to have darshan of the deity, she further said. Hema Malini gave assurance that if any problem arises, she will look into it. Appealing to the goswamis to let that work for the corridor begin, she said: "Abhi nahi, toh kabhi nahi (If it is not be done now, it will never happen). Besides, she also pointed out that the Vrindavan bypass project, estimated to cost crores of rupees, has been passed, and soon its work will begin. Using that bypass, devotees would not have to enter the main city, thus solving the concerns of locals, who face difficulties and cannot come out of their homes due to a sea of devotees. The Goswamis are opposing the Vrindavan corridor and threatening to relocate the Banke Bihari deity to another location. They allege that the government wants to turn the place of faith into a picnic spot. On May 15, the Supreme Court allowed the Uttar Pradesh government to go ahead with the Vrindavan corridor project.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Banke Bihari temple priests threaten to 'relocate Thakurji' over corridor redevelopment plan
AGRA: Priests of the centuries-old Banke Bihari temple in Mathura, who are opposed to the proposed 'redevelopment plan for the Banke Bihari corridor in Vrindavan', alleged on Monday, that if govt does not heed their concerns, they will relocate the Banke Bihari deity to another site. The latest development came after a series of protests by the Goswami community members and locals against the proposed corridor and the creation of the Banke Bihari temple trust by the state govt. Ghanshyam Goswami, 60, a member of the management committee, said, "The problem is that the govt wants to turn this place of faith into a picnic spot. The Banke Bihari Trust was formed without consulting us. We're open to suggestions for improving the management of the temple but if this situation continues, we'll not hesitate to move Thakurji out of the temple. This temple was founded by our forefathers, and the customs and traditions here date back to the 19th century. " The Supreme Court, in its May 15 verdict, permitted the UP govt to continue with the 'Rs 500 cr redevelopment plan for the Shri Banke Bihari temple corridor in Vrindavan'. The project, approved by the bench of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice SC Sharma, enables the state to utilise temple funds to acquire about 5 acres of land near the shrine. Calls for redevelopment intensified after a stampede-like incident took place during the Janmashtami celebrations in 2022, which resulted in two fatalities. In Sept 2023, Allahabad high court directed the state govt to implement a corridor plan to manage crowds and ensure safety. Although the state said it engaged with all stakeholders, Shebaits and local residents have claimed they were excluded from discussions. On Monday, Agra's divisional commissioner Shailendra Kumar Singh, Mathura DM Chandra Prakesh Singh, Agra range DIG Shailesh Kumar Pandey and additional officials held a meeting with the stakeholders to seek a resolution. Shailendra Kumar Singh said, "The proposed corridor has been cleared by the SC. The locals have raised some issues, and we have reached out to them. In the issues related to the temple, we ensured that no change will be there to the customs and traditions of the temple. Shopkeepers had doubts related to compensation, and we cleared them. The streets in and around the temple are narrow and unsuitable for the influx of people who visit the temple daily, so this corridor will be beneficial for all the stakeholders. "
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UP govt sets up trust to run Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan
Lucknow: The Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan will be run by trust being set up by the state govt. Governor Anandiben Patel has cleared an ordinance to set up the Shri Banke Bihari Ji Mandir Nyas or Trust. This Trust will be responsible for ensuring that the customs, practices, festivals, prayers, ceremonies etc related to the Banke Bihar Temple in Mathura continue without any interference or changes, appointment of priests, their wages and ensuring security of devotees. It will also be responsible for the management and administration of the temple. The trust will have 11 nominated members and seven ex-officio members, all of whom will have to be from Sanatan Dharma. All trustees will be appointed by the state government, the role of which will be limited to ensuring transparency in finances and answerability in financial transactions. The government, the ordinance states, will not interfere in any religious matter related to the temple. Among the nominated members, there will be three prestigious persons who are associated with Vaishnav traditions or peeths, including seers, religious leaders, heads of Maths, mahants, acharyas, swami etc. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Augsburg: Rentner zahlen zu viel für Hörgeräte – Das ist der Grund Gutes Hören Undo Three others related to any branch of Sanatan tradition, branches including seers, munis, gurus, thinkers, mahants etc will be nominated to the Trust. In addition to them, three others from any branch of Sanatan Dharma who are from fields like education, industry, thinkers, social workers etc but not restricted to just these fields can be nominated while two persons from the Goswami tradition who are currently serving the temple, and who are descendents of Swami Haridas, will be appointed to the Trust. One of them will head the raj bhog service and the other will supervise dinner services. These members will be appointed for a term of three years and can serve not more than two terms. The ex-officio members will include the district magistrate of Mathura, the police superintendent of Mathura, commissioner of Mathura-Vrindavan, UP Braj Teerth Development Council CEO, one official of the department of religious affairs and the CEO of the Banke Bihari ji Mandir Trust. These members will continue to serve till they last in the stated posts. The appointment of any member will not be affected by their caste or gender. The responsibility of the trust will include conservation, repair and maintenance of the temple complex. It will be allowed to purchase, rent or lease movable or immovable property up to Rs 20 lakh. For any financial transaction above that, the trust will need to take prior clearance from the state govt. The trust will also not be allowed to hand over, transfer, gift, sell etc, property related to the god, property of the temple or Banke Bihari's jewellery uncles prior permission is taken from the state government. A senior government official said that the decision to set up the trust was taken to bring in greater transparency in the running of the temple, considering the immense financial contribution by devotees and to ensure seamless facilities for devotees. The decision was cleared through a cabinet by-circulation and approved officially by the governor.
NDTV
27-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"If States Start Entering Private Disputes...": Top Court To UP In Banke Bihari Temple Case
The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the Uttar Pradesh government for "hijacking" the litigation between two private parties in a plea pertaining to the management of the famous Shri Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan. A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma said if the state government starts entering into a private dispute between parties it will result in breakdown of rule of law. "Was a state a party to the proceedings? In what capacity has the state entered the dispute? If states start entering into a private dispute between parties, there will be a total breakdown of law. You can't hijack the litigation. In a private litigation between two parties, state filing an impleadment application and hijacking it is not permissible," the bench observed. The top court was hearing a plea seeking the modification of its order approving the Uttar Pradesh government's proposed redevelopment scheme for the Banke Bihari temple using temple funds Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for petitioner Devendra Nath Goswami - who said he belonged to the Raj Bhog branch of the Shebaits and claimed direct descent from Swami Sri Hari Das Ji Goswami, the temple's 16th century founder - submitted that fund of Rs 300 crore has been given to the Uttar Pradesh government without making us the party. "How can you by an order in another petition direct that earning of a private temple be handed over to the state," Mr Sibal asked. The counsel appearing for the UP government informed the top court that the state has formed a trust to manage the temple and oversee work on the proposed corridor. Entire money would rest with the trust, not with the government by virtue of the enactment, said the UP government's lawyer. "People have died in temple," said the UP government lawyer, spotlighting the pinched streets around the temple and underlining that building a corridor is essential. The top court directed the counsel for the state government to give a copy of the ordinance passed with regard to the trust to the petitioner and directed the concerned principal secretary to file an affidavit by July 29. Built in 1862, the Banke Bihari temple is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in northern India. It is managed by Shebaits, a hereditary priesthood that oversees daily rituals and temple administration. The demand for redevelopment arose after a stampede-like incident occurred during Janmashtami celebrations in 2022, resulting in two deaths. In September 2023, the Allahabad High Court directed the UP government to develop a corridor plan to manage crowd pressure and ensure safety. Earlier this month, on May 15, the top court paved the way for the state government's scheme to develop the temple corridor for the benefit of scores of devotees. It then allowed the state government's plea to utilise the temple funds only for the purchase of 5-acre land around the temple to create a holding area. On May 19, petitioner Goswami said unchecked development could "irreversibly" alter the religious and cultural fabric of the "temple precinct".
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Banke Bihari temple panel opposes corridor clearance, SC to hear plea
1 2 Agra: Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition challenging its May 15 verdict that allowed Uttar Pradesh govt to go ahead with a Rs 500 crore redevelopment plan for the Shri Banke Bihari temple corridor in Vrindavan. The review petition, filed by a member of the temple management, said the decision was made without consulting stakeholders and risked damaging the temple's sacred character. Devendra Nath Goswami, a senior temple administrator, filed the petition on May 19. An SC bench of chief justice B R Gavai and justice Augustine George Masih took up the matter on May 20. They said, "We will list it," indicating that the case will be heard in detail. Senior advocate Ashutosh Jha appeared for Goswami. The Banke Bihari temple, built in 1862 in the heart of Vrindavan, is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in northern India. It is managed by Shebaits, a hereditary priesthood that oversees daily rituals and temple administration. Goswami told the court that he was not given a chance to be heard before SC passed its May 15 ruling. "I was not even informed, let alone consulted," he said. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo "This is a violation of the religious and administrative traditions that have guided this temple for centuries." Goswami said he belonged to the Raj Bhog branch of the Shebaits and claimed direct descent from Swami Sri Hari Das Ji Goswami, the temple's 16th-century founder. "My family has been looking after this temple for more than 500 years," he said. The redevelopment plan, approved by a bench of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice S C Sharma, allows the state to use temple funds to acquire around five acres of land near the shrine. This land is to be registered in the name of the temple trust or deity and used for public amenities such as parking, toilets, accommodation and security posts. Uttar Pradesh govt said the project was necessary to reduce congestion and improve infrastructure for pilgrims. The petition, however, asked SC to reconsider parts of the ruling that permitted the use of temple funds and allowed construction without stakeholder consent. Goswami requested a stay on activities such as land acquisition, demolition or new construction until a transparent process is ensured. "We are not against development, but it must respect the sanctity and character of the temple," he said. The review plea called for the formation of a heritage and stakeholder consultation committee to oversee any future plans. Goswami said unchecked development could "irreversibly alter the religious and cultural fabric of the temple precinct". The demand for redevelopment arose after a stampede-like incident occurred during Janmashtami celebrations in 2022, resulting in two deaths. In Sept 2023, Allahabad high court directed Uttar Pradesh govt to develop a corridor plan to manage crowd pressure and ensure safety. While the state said it engaged with stakeholders, Shebaits and local residents claimed they were excluded from meaningful consultations. Following the May 15 order, several residents and heritage activists in Mathura expressed concerns that the corridor project could disrupt Vrindavan's spiritual atmosphere and erode its historical architecture. TOI contacted Goswami for comment, but he declined, saying, "The matter is sub-judice before the court."
