Vrindavan, 2017.09.21 (Aman Sharma, Economic Times with other sources) : The Yogi Adityanath government is loosening its purse strings to spend nearly Rs 100 crore to renovate the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan and nine historic ponds related to Lord Krishna in Braja Mandal. [These plans have been announced previously. Follow the links.]
He said the development work will be taken up by the newly established Braj Teerth Vikas Board.
The ponds, located on the pious parikrama (circumambulation) route around Vrindavan, are in a dilapidated condition with contaminated water found unfit for bathing in a study carried out by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Officials said the plan is to cleanse and beautify these ponds, which are visited by devotees as part of the 84-km parikrama of Braja Mandal, and improve the access and pedestrian facilities to Banke Bihari temple in the town which is one of the most widely-visited pilgrim spots for Hindus in the country.
As per the government, the ponds have great mythological significance.
Vihwal Kund, for instance, is said to be the one where Lord Krishna and Radha met for the first time. The pond is believed to have been formed from the tears that rolled down the eyes of both as they were overwhelmed by each other’s beauty. This kund is in Sanket near Nandagaon.
The Potra pond in Mathura near the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple is said to be the one near which Lord Krishna first appeared. This is the place where Devaki and Vasudev, the parents of Lord Krishna washed the baby clothes of Lord Krishna.
Govind Kund in Govardhan is the place where Krishna took a bath after lifting the Govardhan
“These ponds are bound by cultural values limited within the parikrama path and hence have immense religious and tourist significance. It is customary for pilgrims who visit the ponds as part of the parikrama to take a sacred dip and move ahead to the next destination,” the state government has said in a proposal for renovation.
Vihwal Kund. Photo: The Braj Foundation
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