Homestay Scheme Underway to Provide Accommodation and Local Cuisine in Villages
2024.03.6 (Vrindavan Today News): Now you can enjoy the enchanting village life of Braj during your visit. A new initiative has been launched under the aegis of the Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad to provide pilgrims visiting the Braj region with an opportunity to experience rural life. The project aims to connect devotees with the authentic essence of Braj’s rural environment, allowing them to stay in villages and indulge in local cuisine. The visitors will be served with the traditional food made on chulha. The tourists can relish the local dishes of handmade chapatis with butter, butter milk and milk.
Currently, most pilgrims visiting the Braj region confine their visits to the temples of Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, and Barsana. During their brief religious tours spanning a night and two days, they often remain distanced from the core culture of Braj. Amidst the hustle and bustle, they catch glimpses of urban life but stay detached from the roots of Braj’s original heritage.
Now, the Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad is introducing the “Homestay Scheme” to acquaint pilgrims with the rural ambiance of the Braj region. The initiative kicks off near the villages close to Barsana, with the initial phase focusing on selecting villages including those of Shri Radha and her eight companion sakhis.
Pilgrims participating in the Braj pilgrimage will have the opportunity to connect with the villages under the Homestay Scheme. After temple visits, they can spend their nights resting in the villages, immersing themselves in the Braj dialect and savoring local delicacies. This venture offers individuals a chance to step away from urban life and relish moments spent in rural settings. This scheme will uplift the rural economy and generate employment opportunities.
According to Shri S.B. Singh, CEO, U.P. Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad, the scheme will be launched as a model in Radharani’s village in Barsana, with rural communities expected to benefit significantly. This scheme will not only promote tourism but will contribute to the development of rural areas, enhancing the overall welfare of villagers.
