Vrindavan, 2018.05.19 (VT): The National Green Tribunal has approved an application to have the concrete tiles removed from the footpath of Vrindavan Parikrama Marg. In place of the tiles, there will be a ‘kucca’ walkway made of the fine sand that devotees lovingly call ‘Braj Raj’.
At the hearing yesterday, the applicants presented several reasons that the concrete brick footpath needs to be replaced with sand, including:
- Concrete tiles increase the heat of the ground
- Water cannot be absorbed if the ground is covered and the water-table in Braj is reaching dangerously low levels.
- Animals and people will benefit from having a cool, sandy place to sit.
- Pilgrims will benefit (and enjoy) doing parikrama directly on the land of Braj.
Advocate Akash Vashisht filed the petition on behalf of locals who feel strongly about this issue. Acharya Naresh Narayan and Friends of Vrindavan Director, Jagannath Poddar were present to support the Braj Vrindavan Heritage Alliance position that Vrindavan Parikrama should be returned to the natural state.
Jagannath Poddar said, “We have to work together to hold onto as much as Vrindavan’s natural and historical beauty as we can.”
The decision is also a boon for devotees who do dandavat parikrama as they will have a softer place to do dandavats and can lie directly on Braj Bhoomi.
The applicants also requested the NGT to stop the use of concrete in the development of the parks and ponds in Braj and across the state.
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