Vrindavan Today | Bureau Report
2nd September, 2026, Vrindavan: A new ₹31-crore Artisan Centre has been completed in Vrindavan to promote and strengthen the traditional poshak (ceremonial attire) industry associated with the temples of Braj. Developed under the World Bank-supported Pro-Poor Tourism Development Project, the centre is expected to provide dedicated spaces for artisans engaged in making Thakur Ji’s dresses, crowns, turbans, patukas and other traditional devotional accessories.
The three-storey facility, located at Radha Niwas in Vrindavan, has been developed by the Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority (MVDA) with financial assistance from the World Bank. It has been named the Radha Krishna Poshak Kendra.
The centre is designed particularly to support artisans who either do not have adequate space to establish their own workshops or wish to enter and expand their presence in the traditional dressmaking trade.
According to Lakshmi Nagappan, CEO of the Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad, the centre will provide artisans with space not only to manufacture and display their products but also to undertake business activities and receive training. The facility is expected to empower local artisans by creating opportunities for employment, enterprise development and skill enhancement.
42 Shops for Retail and 26 Production Units
The ground floor of the centre houses 42 shops, where traders and artisans will be able to display and sell traditional poshaks and related products.
The first floor has been developed as a production area, with 26 large units where artisans can manufacture their products. These spaces will also enable them to display their creations and offer them for sale.
The upper floor includes a training hall, community hall and meeting hall, along with other facilities intended to support training, interaction and business development.
The concept is to bring production, training, display and retail under one roof, enabling devotees and buyers visiting Vrindavan to find traditional Braj poshaks according to their preferences.
From Local Craft to a Growing MSME Sector
The poshak industry of Mathura and Vrindavan has traditionally been closely linked with the region’s temple culture. Dozens of workshops in Mathura and Vrindavan are engaged in the production of ceremonial dresses and accessories for the deities. Hundreds of artisans are directly or indirectly associated with the sector.
Besides poshaks, the industry produces traditional turbans, patukas, crowns and other forms of devotional adornment.
With growing demand, the sector is gradually taking the shape of a micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) industry. The new Artisan Centre is intended to provide institutional support to this emerging handicraft sector and help local artisans develop sustainable businesses.
Custom-Made Poshaks for Devotees
One of the distinctive features of the centre will be the opportunity for devotees to have Thakur Ji’s attire prepared according to their individual preferences. Artisans will be able to create designs based on customers’ requirements and provide the finished products at the centre.
This could add a new dimension to Vrindavan’s religious tourism economy by combining pilgrimage with direct access to the region’s traditional craftsmanship.
Growing International Demand
Braj poshaks are no longer confined to the domestic market. According to the information associated with the project, traditional deity attire produced in Mathura and Vrindavan has demand in several overseas markets, including the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Russia, the UAE, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
The proposed concentration of artisans, production facilities and retail outlets at one location could therefore provide a platform for local producers to expand their reach beyond Vrindavan and the domestic market.
The ₹31-crore centre represents an effort to link Braj’s living craft traditions with tourism, employment and entrepreneurship, while giving traditional artisans a dedicated space to preserve and develop their skills.
The centre is expected to be formally inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
