'Brijwasis' say government made a blunder by declaring only Vrindavan and Barsana as holy sites

Mathura: The recent declaration of Vrindavan Nagar Palika Parishad and Barsana Nagar Panchayat here as ‘holy pilgrim sites’ by the Uttar Pradesh government has evoked a mixed reaction from the locals. [caption id=“attachment_4182509” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of devotees celebrating Holi in Barsana. Reuters[/caption] While residents of Barsana and Vrindaban are jubilant, those belonging to Gokul, Mathura, Goverdhan, Rawal, Nandgaon, Mahaban, Baldeo and other areas of the district are disappointed with their neglect by the government. Goeshwar Nath Chaturvedi, the trustee of Srikrishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan, alleged that the state government committed a “blunder” in declaring only Vrindavan and Barsana as pavitra tirth sthal. “It is against several holy books to say that Lord Krishna incarnated in Vrindavan and Radha Rani was born in Barsana,” he said in a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Chaturvedi said Lord Krishna was born in a prison from the womb of Devaki in Mathura, while Radha Rani incarnated in village Rawal, which has been adopted by actress-turned-politician and Mathura MP Hema Malini. The religious leader urged the state government to correct the mistake, and also declare Mathura and Rawal as ‘tirth stal’. Meanwhile, RLD district chief Kunvar Narendra Singh, said such a declaration was made to please two state Cabinet ministers from Mathura. The declaration was made at the eleventh hour as the State Election Commission announced civic polls in three phases from 22 November. “Vrindavan area in Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and his elder brother Balram, and is world famous. Barsana is Radha’s birthplace. Lakhs of tourists visit these places to pay obeisance. Keeping in mind their importance and in view of tourism, these are declared as holy pilgrimage places,” an official release had said.