Back to Braj

Today’s Braj, however, is a picture in contrast: Shanty settlements, crumbling structures, garbage dumps, water bodies that are sludge tanks and pigs running about; a far cry from the Brajbhoomi where Krishna played pranks with villagers and romanced the gopis. Most of the culturally vibrant regions that resonate with the legend of Radha and Krishna - spanning Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, parts of Bharatpur in Rajasthan and Palwal in Haryana - are in a shambles. However, there’s hope yet that we mightget to see the glorious Brajbhoomi of yore, thanks to the efforts of an NGOthat’s restoring water bodies and groves in thearea.The Braj Foundation (TBF) comprising prominentindustrialists is doing serious work to restore Braj by conserving its5,000-year-old heritage and environment through large-scale communityparticipation. TBF, which began with restoration of ancient kunds or watertanks, has now expanded its efforts to revive and rejuvenate sacred vans orgroves, transforming 18,000 acres of parvat or hilly terrain into lush-greenpasture lands. The Yamuna is also being cleaned up. The TBF’s sisterorganisation, Braj Rakshak Dal, is promoting organic farming, dairy industry,rural education and employment.Vineet Narain, CEO of TBF, says,“We drew up a master plan. The TBF has scientifically surveyed over 400ancient water bodies using satellite imagery, collecting relevant revenuerecords, tracing the cultural history and evaluating restorationrequirements.” The restoration cost of a kund could be betweenRs 5 lakh and Rs 2.5 crore. “We have tried to mobilise support fromcorporations, private donors and MPLAD funds for the projects,” he says.TBF’s founder-chairman Kamal Morarka has been donating liberally, givingtechnological and administrative support for theprojects.Restoration work is in progress in 22 kunds, includingGomti Ganga in Kosi, Chandrasarovar in Chaumuha, Roop Kund in Barsana, Jait Kundin Jait and Garud Govind Kund in Chhatikara.After restoration, TBFopened the Brahma Kund to the public in 2009. The centrepoint of Vrindavan,sound and light shows are held here and this has been attracting tourists. Radhaand Krishna, according to legend, played here and Meera Bai is reported to havespent a night at the kund.There were 137 forests in Braj associatedwith Krishna but only three have survived. “Devotees spend crores todecorate temples, but do not think about restoring these forests,” saysNarain. “Before planting saplings and trees, we are enriching the soil andensuring that there is enough water for drip irrigation. We also plan to installtree guards and fence the area to protect the groves from encroachers andanimals.”One major grove, Gahvarvan, situated at the foot ofBrahmagiri Hills has been restored by TBF with the help of corporate sponsors.Irrigation facilities are in place. Another important site restoredby TBF is Koile Ghat, the spot from where Vasudev carried Krishna in a basketand crossed the Yamuna to reach Gokul. You can take a boat ride or just sit onthe steps of the well-maintained ghat and enjoy the clean waters of theYamuna.In Jaikund - once it is ready - there are plans foramphitheatres and parikrama paths alongside the tanks. Braj Rakshak Dalvolunteers will brief locals on preserving their land and water resources.“We are not promoting temple culture over here. We want Braj’sculture and environmental heritage to be preserved,” saysNarain.He also disclosed that his foundation is pursuing UNESCO todeclare Govardhan Hill as a World Heritage Site. Other sites restored by TBFinclude Jal Mahal, Vrishabhanu Kund and Shri Shri Radha Ras Mandir in Barsanaand Radha Shyam Sundar Mandir and Atal Van Ashram in Vrindavan.Narain says he has been inspired and blessed by Radha Rani andRamesh Baba, a revolutionary saint of Barsana, who promotes environmentconsciousness and service to the poor as the highest form of religion. “Ifind that the people of Braj are truly Krishna-conscious and participateenthusiastically in restoration work. They know that these sacred spots willbring in tourists and money to help the village economy,” he added.Krishna was a vital link between people, their ecology andenvironment. In Shrimad Bhagavadam, Krishna tells his father: “The cities,the cultured lands nor the villages or their houses are ours. We are the forestpeople, dear father, and will always live in the forests and the hills”.“The legend surrounding Krishna, especially from his birth toyouth, tells us to respect and revere nature. Mythology depicts him as purifyingthe five elements by vanquishing demons or pollutants,” says Narain.