The famous 150-year-old Shri Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan (Mathura) is all set for a major facelift with a Rs.70-crore plan to provide better facilities and modern amenities to lakhs of devotees and tourists .
The redevelopment plan in part of the Rs.440-crore World Bank project that envisages creation of the Braj tourism circuit covering major tourism destinations around Mathura, including towns and hamlets like Vrindavan, Goverdhan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Gokul and Baldev.
Official sources said a high-level meet of World Bank officials and Indian authorities with representatives from tourism and other departments has already been held and the work on the ambitious project is likely to begin after mid-2015.
As the Braj region attracts a large number of tourists and devotees from India and abroad, the project will focus on developing world-class infrastructure and create places of tourist attractions in the entire region, they said.
The World Bank has agreed to fund redevelopment and beautification of the temple in Vrindavan, which is regarded as the holiest temple for Lord Krishna devotees.
The temple, built in 1864, needs urgent restoration and expansion to meet to growing demand of visitors.
While Rs.100 crore has been earmarked for development and rejuvenation of around 100 'kunds' (water bodies) that fall on the “ parikrama (circumambulation)” route besides upgrading civic and parking facilities in the circuit towns, Rs.10 crore would be spent on improving basic amenities for tourists.
Another Rs.40 crore has been earmarked for developing a forest spread over 400 acres between Mathura and Vrindavan to improve the environment.
Similarly, a haat (small traditional market) like the one in Delhi which is a popular tourist destination is also being planned in Vrindavan.
Over Rs. 40 crore would be spent on it to promote local art and artistes. Another Rs.6 crore would be spent on creating a new website and promotion of places of attraction in the Braj tourists circuit, while Rs.10 crore fund is for promotion of unique culture of the Braj region, particularly various forms of its world-famous Holi celebrations.
The WB would also give Rs.55 crore for developing unique tourists centres at Vrindavan, Goverdhan and Barsana, all closely associated with Lork Krishna while Rs.10 crore would be for creating special walking tracks in old Vrindavan areas associated with the mythology of Lord Krishna and his rule. “In couple of years, the Braj region would emerge as one of the best tourism circuits in the country,” the officials added.
