Latest news with #UttarPradeshBrajTeerthVikasParishad
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business Standard
Over 5 mn devotees expected in Mathura for Janmashtami, security stepped up
The 5,252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna will be celebrated at midnight on August 16 in all major temples of Mathura, including the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, and at the Thakur Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan. Nandgaon will mark the festivities on the night of August 17, officials said here on Sunday. District Magistrate Chandraprakash Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar said that while around 4.2 million devotees visited Mathura during Janmashtami last year, the number is expected to cross five million this time. Preparations and security arrangements are being made accordingly at all pilgrimage centres, including Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Gokul, Nandgaon, Govardhan, and Mahavan. At the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple complex alone, 150 CCTV cameras have been installed, with over 100 more positioned in the surrounding areas. For the first time, AI-enabled drone cameras will also be deployed for surveillance, the officials said. Police personnel will be stationed across the city, especially at major temples and sensitive locations. Civic works such as cleaning, road repairs, beautification of routes, and decoration of intersections are being carried out on a war footing, the officers added. The Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad, which is organising the celebrations under the banner of Shri Krishnotsav', has planned a three-day festival from August 15 to 17. Vice-Chairman of the Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority and ex-officio CEO of the Parishad, Shyam Bahadur Singh, said the festivities will begin on the morning of August 15 with a grand procession from the main gate of Shri Krishna Janmasthan to Potra Kund, Govind Nagar, and Deeg Gate, before returning to the starting point. The procession will combine devotional and patriotic themes, featuring about 250 folk artists from Braj, Bundelkhand, Rajasthan, and Haryana, performing traditional dances such as Bundelkhand's Rai, Rajasthan's Kachhi Ghodi, and Haryana's Gujri. Musicians will play nagaras, dhols, shehnais, damrus, and manjiras, while bhajan groups from various temples, including ISKCON Vrindavan and Man Mandir Barsana, will spread devotional fervour, he said. The management of the Bankey Bihari temple has urged devotees to avoid bringing the elderly, children, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and patients suffering from blood pressure or diabetes to Vrindavan during Janmashtami, in view of the expected massive crowds and to prevent any untoward incidents.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Over 5 million devotees expected in Mathura for Janmashtami, security stepped up
Mathura , The 5,252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna will be celebrated at midnight on August 16 in all major temples of Mathura, including the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, and at the Thakur Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan. Over 5 million devotees expected in Mathura for Janmashtami, security stepped up Nandgaon will mark the festivities on the night of August 17, officials said here on Sunday. District Magistrate Chandraprakash Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar said that while around 4.2 million devotees visited Mathura during Janmashtami last year, the number is expected to cross five million this time. Preparations and security arrangements are being made accordingly at all pilgrimage centres, including Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Gokul, Nandgaon, Govardhan, and Mahavan. At the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple complex alone, 150 CCTV cameras have been installed, with over 100 more positioned in the surrounding areas. For the first time, AI-enabled drone cameras will also be deployed for surveillance, the officials said. Police personnel will be stationed across the city, especially at major temples and sensitive locations. Civic works such as cleaning, road repairs, beautification of routes, and decoration of intersections are being carried out on a war footing, the officers added. The Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad, which is organising the celebrations under the banner of 'Shri Krishnotsav', has planned a three-day festival from August 15 to 17. Vice-Chairman of the Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority and ex-officio CEO of the Parishad, Shyam Bahadur Singh, said the festivities will begin on the morning of August 15 with a grand procession from the main gate of Shri Krishna Janmasthan to Potra Kund, Govind Nagar, and Deeg Gate, before returning to the starting point. The procession will combine devotional and patriotic themes, featuring about 250 folk artists from Braj, Bundelkhand, Rajasthan, and Haryana, performing traditional dances such as Bundelkhand's Rai, Rajasthan's Kachhi Ghodi, and Haryana's Gujri. Musicians will play nagaras, dhols, shehnais, damrus, and manjiras, while bhajan groups from various temples, including ISKCON Vrindavan and Man Mandir Barsana, will spread devotional fervour, he said. The management of the Bankey Bihari temple has urged devotees to avoid bringing the elderly, children, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and patients suffering from blood pressure or diabetes to Vrindavan during Janmashtami, in view of the expected massive crowds and to prevent any untoward incidents. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
17-05-2025
- General
- News18
How The UP Government Is Bringing Dwapar Yug To Life In Vrindavan's Forests
Last Updated: The Uttar Pradesh government is reviving 36 sacred forest sites in Vrindavan by planting trees from Lord Krishna's era, blending mythology, biodiversity, and cultural heritage 'Dwapar Yug' is all set to come alive for those visiting the ancient forests of Vrindavan, as the Uttar Pradesh government prepares to give a mythological makeover to these sacred groves—believed to be the very land where Lord Krishna once lived and played. With a major eco-restoration project underway, the initiative aims to revive Vrindavan's ancient forests by planting trees mentioned in Krishna's era, blending ecology with spirituality to recreate the timeless charm of Braj. The Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad has undertaken this ambitious eco-restoration drive, targeting 36 ancient forest sites across a vast area of 487 hectares in Vrindavan. The Parishad's environmental advisor, Mukesh Sharma, revealed that plantation work has begun in the Sunrakh Reserve Forest area and will be executed in three phases, with an estimated budget of around Rs 90 crore. 'This project is not merely about planting trees; it is about restoring a cultural and spiritual heritage deeply linked to Krishna's divine pastimes," said Sharma. Removing Invasive Species, Reviving Native Flora One of the key objectives is to remove the invasive and harmful Prosopis juliflora, locally known as 'vilayati babool', which has overrun these forests—turning the soil barren and threatening local flora and fauna. Replacing it with native broad-leaved species like Krishna Kadamb (Mitragyna parviflora), Pipal (Ficus religiosa), Bargad (Ficus benghalensis), and Tamal (Garcinia xanthochymus) will help restore ecological balance while reviving the mythological essence of the region. Since Vrindavan lies within the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), a Supreme Court-designated eco-sensitive area, special permission was required to proceed with tree cutting and plantation. An interlocutory application was filed in Writ Petition No. 13381/1984, and after inspection by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), the Supreme Court approved the project on December 12, 2023. This marks the first time an eco-restoration initiative has been permitted inside the TTZ. The detailed restoration plans were developed after extensive surveys and technical consultations with scientists from the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. Soil testing across all sites helped create a blueprint tailored to the unique ecological needs of each forest block. Sharma said, 'We are blending scientific precision with cultural respect to ensure that these forests not only survive but thrive as living testaments to Krishna's legacy." Trees With Deep Spiritual Significance The plantation will include species that hold deep cultural and spiritual significance, such as Peeloo (Salvadora oleoides), Maulshree (Mimusops elengi), Aam (Mangifera indica), Bel (Aegle marmelos), Amla (Phyllanthus emblica), Baheda (Terminalia bellirica), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), and Palaash (Butea monosperma). These trees are valued not only for their ecological benefits but also for their association with the traditions of ancient Braj and Krishna's life stories. Project Launch And Vision For A Green Braj A formal field workshop to mark the project's launch was recently held at the Sunrakh Forest Block, chaired by Shailja Kant Mishra, Vice-Chairman of the Parishad. He highlighted the importance of the initiative, saying, 'Reviving these forests is an act of devotion as much as it is an ecological necessity. We want every visitor to feel the presence of Krishna's Vrindavan in every shade and scent." Promoting Biodiversity, Eco-Tourism, And Local Livelihoods Officials with the UP Government said the restoration effort is expected to boost biodiversity, improve air and soil quality, and promote eco-tourism, while also creating livelihood opportunities for local communities involved in plantation and forest management. 'Special measures are planned to prevent the regrowth of invasive species and to monitor the health of the saplings over the coming years," they added. First Published: May 17, 2025, 15:54 IST
