New Delhi: Braj Bhoomi is one of India’s most historical and iconic cultural grounds. The ancient history of Braj, centered on Krishna, has been celebrated in art, music, literature, dance and drama.
The Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir has an important role to play in realising the heritage and cultural tourism potential of this region.
The pioneering efforts of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), brought before the world the significance of Vrindavan.
Srila Prabhupada desired that the glories of Lord Krishna and Sri Vrindavan Dham be spread everywhere. He strove to see people, irrespective of caste, creed, colour, nationality or gender, freed from the sufferings of material existence and find everlasting happiness through Krishna Consciousness.
The devotees of ISKCON Bengaluru have conceived the Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir project to place Krishna proudly on the global mindscape and Vrindavan on the world map. The project aspires to create a world-class monument for Lord Krishna in the holy land of Vrindavan in pursuance of Srila Prabhupada’s direction.
The skyscraper temple-cum-heritage project will consist of a grand temple of Lord Krishna and harmoniously combine architectural elements of Indian temples and modern structures. The cultural complex is poised to become the tallest temple of the deity.
Apart from housing a temple for worship of Lord Krishna, the Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir will also become a centre for disseminating the message of Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, delivered in a modern context. The heritage and tourism infrastructure will attract the world’s thinkers, leaders, and inquisitive minds to know more about Lord Krishna and His message for a harried world.
The Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir intends to offer myriad opportunities and experiences to its visitors and the surrounding host community by presenting the rich culture and heritage of the sacred Braj Bhoomi. The temple complex will house comfortable accommodation facilities to enhance the experience of the tourists.
Since its inception in 2006, this project has become the source and support for various social intervention programmes for the all-inclusive development of the Braj region.
There is an evolved and structured roadmap to increase the scale of social and humanitarian activities, which is aligned with the development objectives of the government of India, its ministries, and the government of Uttar Pradesh.
The project is intended to expand the services for the development of Braj region through initiatives such as:
* Providing training and employment opportunities to economically weaker sections of the society
* Supporting organic farming, handicrafts, and cottage industries
* Restoring river Yamuna and rejuvenating the important sites of Vrindavan that signify Braj heritage
–IANS