AGRA: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, currently on a two-day visit to Mathura, kicked off the birth anniversary (Janmashtami) celebrations of Lord Krishna on Sunday evening.
During his visit, Yogi laid the foundation stone for around 178 projects valued at Rs 1,037 crore. Among these, he also inaugurated the newly-constructed auditorium at Dampier Nagar, a project that Mathura MP Hema Malini has championed since her first term in office. Initially envisioned as an "open theatre," the project has now been completed as a state-of-the-art auditorium.
The CM also unveiled the statue of Veer Durgadas Rathore, a Rajput military general of the Kingdom of Marwar.
While expressing gratitude to Hema Malini for her efforts, Yogi highlighted that "Sanatan is the oldest religion in the world." He emphasized the importance of preserving this heritage, stating, "Our double-engine government respects your faith and is committed to advancing it. PM Modi has set the goal of making India a developed country by 2047, a vision that blends development with heritage and seeks to eradicate remnants of past oppression. The present challenge to India is a challenge to Sanatan dharma itself."
Yogi also called on religious leaders to unite and guide society, warning that even small mistakes could lead to division. Criticizing the opposition, he remarked, "No one dares speak about the ongoing issues in Bangladesh for fear of losing votes. They can discuss Palestine, but not Bangladesh... where Hindus are being persecuted, and temples are being demolished."
Officials mentioned that the chief minister will stay overnight in Mathura and visit the birthplace of Lord Krishna on Monday morning to mark Janmashtami. A grand procession featuring 'mahants' and folk artists, primarily showcasing the folk culture of northern India, will begin from the gates of the birthplace.
Among the newly-inaugurated projects is a ropeway in Barsana, built at an estimated cost of Rs 16 crore. The ropeway, which successfully completed its trial run on Saturday, offers a significant improvement for devotees who previously had to climb 251 stairs to reach the Radha Rani temple.
Spanning 210 meters with 12 trolleys, each accommodating six people, the ropeway operates 30 meters above ground level and transports visitors from the base to the temple in just 5-7 minutes. Designed to handle 72 visitors per hour, the system includes two stations with ticket counters, toilet blocks, canteens, and waiting halls for tourists.
The fare for a round trip on the ropeway is set at Rs 100, while a one-way ticket costs Rs 60. Children over five years of age will require a ticket to use the service.
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