Since 2005, the Braj Foundation has restored 60 ancient sites associated with Sri Krishna in Braj region. It has converted heaps of garbage into world pilgrimage destinations
Pramod Kumar
Crores of pilgrims from across the world visit Mathura and Vrindavan to have darshan of the sites associated with Sri Krishna. But they are very much disappointed to see many of them in highly pitiable condition. Some ancient sites have been converted into heaps of garbage. The foul smell is so strong that most people cannot bear it. But due to the tireless efforts of the Braj Foundation over 60 of such ancient sites are now the spectacular places
attracting thousands of pilgrims daily. Some of the restored sites are Brahma Kund, Lalita Kund and Sewa Kunj in Vrindavan, Rinmochan Kund, Rudra Kund and Sankarshan Kund in Goverdhan, Koile Ghat of Yamuna River in Mathura, Gahvar Van in Barsana, Brahma Van in Chaumuha, Kalia Mardan Temple in Jait and so on.
Dedicated to restore the pristine glory and grandeur of Braj region, the Foundation aims at restoring 1,000 ancient water
bodies, 137 forests, rehabilitation of 17,800 acres of barren hill slopes and conservation of heritage buildings. It has already restored more than 50 water bodies, seven groves and five
heritage buildings. It has conducted an exhaustive scientific
survey of 2,000 acres of heritage sites, 400 water bodies and groves. The Foundation has also revived 125 years old Sanjhi Art Mela. The historic Braj region is comprised of 5,000 sq. km. area within the Golden Triangle spanning across Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, Bharatpur in Rajasthan and Palwal in Haryana.
The pilgrims now mesmerise to see the aesthetic beauty and
spiritual potency of the places related to Sri Krishna. The Foundation, in first week of October 2017, installed Sri Sankarshan Bhagwan’s 34ft high black granite deity at Sankarshan Kund on Govardhan Parikrama route. Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
inaugurated the Kund on October 5. Inspired by Ramesh Baba of Barsana, at a young age of 46, Shri Vineet Narain dedicated rest of his life for the restoration of Lord Krishna’s heritage. n
