2025.07.07 (Vrindavan Today News): In a major cultural and spiritual restoration initiative, the Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad (UPBTVP) has launched the rejuvenation of the iconic 84-Kos Braj Parikrama—an ancient pilgrimage circuit that interlinks the sacred sites associated with the divine pastimes of Shri Krishna. The effort aims not only to conserve Braj’s spiritual heritage but to develop it on the scale of Ayodhya’s religious infrastructure, ensuring that pilgrims from across India and the world experience both devotion and comfort on their journey.
For decades, the vision of revitalizing the Braj Chaurasi Kos Parikrama, which spans 361 kilometers, lay dormant. But now, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2023 call for the holistic development of Braj Mandal during the Meera Bai Jayanti celebrations, the project has regained momentum. The spiritual and cultural significance of this route is immense. It connects devotees with eight prominent pilgrimage sites, 13 sacred forests (vanas), 24 mythologically revered groves (upvanas), and 20 historically significant kunds (sacred water bodies), forming a tapestry of Braj’s divine geography.
In its first phase, eight major pilgrimage halts (padav sthals) will be renovated and beautified at a projected cost of ₹80 crore (approx. $9.5 million USD). These include:
Jav, Karahla, Kotvan, Shergarh, Badavan, Sehi, Maholi, Gokul
The transformation of these sites is not limited to cosmetic upgrades. Plans involve comprehensive infrastructure development:
Boundary walls and site beautification Dedicated areas for religious discourses (katha pandals) Bathing facilities and clean sanitation units Adequate parking zones and well-designed lawns Drinking water stations Resting facilities for pilgrims
These locations are set to become not only stops on a journey but destinations in themselves, offering aesthetic, functional, and spiritual satisfaction.
A Heritage Route of Monumental Scale
The complete development blueprint includes 36 padav sthals, of which 28 lie in Uttar Pradesh, seven in Rajasthan, and one in Haryana. These have been selected based on their scriptural relevance, with 28 sites explicitly mentioned in ancient texts. Ten of these have been finalized for development, with two sites already completed in earlier efforts.
Each resting point will be developed in 1.25 to 6 acres, depending on its potential to host 200 to 1000 pilgrims. Facilities such as tent accommodations, dining halls, and spaces for spiritual activities are envisioned, catering to the needs of modern devotees while preserving the sanctity of tradition.
Mapping the Sacred Geography
The 84-Kos Parikrama traverses a rich landscape that includes:
4 crossings of the Yamuna River
4 intersections with National Highways
87 canals, 2 rivers, and 7 railway crossings
This network of terrain underscores the engineering complexity and logistical ambition behind the project. It also enhances the accessibility of the pilgrimage, potentially turning it into a globally recognized heritage spiritual trail.
From Cold Storage to Cultural Renaissance
The seed for this transformation was sown when Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, acting upon the request of MP and actor Hema Malini, envisioned the development of the Braj Parikrama on the lines of Ayodhya. A preliminary budget of ₹5,000 crore (approx. $600 million USD) was estimated. This plan categorized the project as a heritage highway, and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was initiated.
However, due to financial constraints, the National Highway Authority put the proposal on hold. It wasn’t until the renewed governmental push during the 2023 Braj Raj Utsav, especially under the cultural emphasis of the Modi administration, that the files were pulled out and work resumed.
According to Shyam Bahadur Singh, CEO of the Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad, the Council has resumed detailed planning and execution. Eight more sites are set for beautification and restoration in the upcoming phase, ensuring steady progress toward the grand vision.
A Future Pilgrimage, Rooted in the Past
The 84-Kos Braj Parikrama is not merely a route; it is a living expression of India’s devotional geography, narrating the divine play of Krishna through physical space. This massive undertaking will not only preserve the sacred narrative etched into Braj’s soil but also serve lakhs of pilgrims, scholars, and spiritual tourists seeking transcendence in an increasingly material world.
In marrying spiritual revival with modern infrastructure, the Braj Parikrama Development Project promises to be a model for heritage tourism and a testament to India’s cultural resilience.
