2024.09.17 (Vrindavan Today News): The increase in footfall to the popular temples of Braj, has raised concern among the locals. Not only the temple premises, but the streets of the pilgrimage destinations of Braj are over-crowded. Not a single festival goes by without reports of pilgrims falling ill or, tragically, losing their lives due to overcrowding.
Whether it’s the popular Banke Bihari Temple of Vrindavan or the Ladli ji Temple in Barsana, the overwhelming number of devotees visiting every weekend leads to chaotic conditions, with many falling unconscious due to suffocation. While a plan to develop the Banke Bihari Corridor in Vrindavan is under judicial consideration, there is still no such initiative for Barsana’s Radha Rani Temple from the district administration or the state government.
Notably, the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan and the Laadli Ji Temple in Barsana were built hundreds of years ago. At the time, these temples were adequately designed to accommodate the local population and pilgrims. However, both locations have seen a significant rise in population and an exponential increase in the number of devotees coming for darshan. The space within these temples has become insufficient to handle the crowds, and the entrances are now too small to allow safe passage, leading to suffocation during high footfall.
Earlier this year, during Barsana’s world-famous Lathamar Holi and again on Radhashtami, several devotees fainted due to the overcrowded conditions inside the temple. Tragically, during the festival of Holi, three pilgrims lost their lives. Sanjay Goswami, advocate and former chairman of the Ladli Ji Temple Committee, noted that the arrangements made by the administration to control the crowd during Radhashtami were ineffective. He emphasized the need for the district administration to create a plan considering the growing crowds. If necessary, the entrances and exits of the temples should be widened to ensure the safe movement of devotees.
Gokul Katara, the former vice-chairman of the municipal council, stated that even local residents faced difficulties due to the administrative arrangements, with roads being blocked at several points but still failing to prevent incidents. Over two days, five pilgrims lost consciousness due to the crowd’s intensity.
Banwari Lal Goenka, a local businessman, pointed out that while the district administration makes tall claims every year regarding arrangements for these festivals, no substantial plan has ever been implemented to manage the increasing crowds. He suggested that local citizens, along with the UP Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad, district administration, and police officials, should collaborate and create a road map to address the specific needs of these events. Without such a proactive approach, he warned, tragic incidents will continue to occur, and lives will be lost.
With Barsana’s Lathmar Holi set to take place in March, authorities need to start preparing immediately, devising a concrete plan to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims and locals alike.
