This decision, seen as both visionary and pragmatic, stands as a model for future projects involving sacred sites across India.
2025.05.15 (Vrindavan Today News): The Supreme Court of India has granted permission for the construction of a grand corridor around Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, aimed at easing the overwhelming crowds of devotees during festivals and weekends. The decision has been widely welcomed by religious bodies and the local community as a major step toward preserving sanctity while enhancing infrastructure.
The bench comprising Justice Bela M. Trivedi and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma delivered a historic ruling that allows the Uttar Pradesh government to utilize ₹500 crore (approximately USD 60 million) from the temple’s fixed deposits solely for the purpose of acquiring land. The Court has emphasized that this amount is to be used strictly for land acquisition, not for construction or administrative expenses.
The proposed corridor will be developed over approximately five acres of land surrounding the temple. This initiative aims to provide a spacious, secure, and organized experience for millions of pilgrims who visit each year. At present, the narrow, congested lanes leading to the temple cause frequent bottlenecks and have led to repeated incidents of devotees fainting due to overcrowding. The corridor is envisioned as a solution to these long-standing challenges, enabling smoother darshan and crowd control.
The land to be acquired for the project will be registered exclusively in the name of the Banke Bihari Temple Trust, ensuring that the temple’s spiritual and administrative autonomy remains intact. The Supreme Court has also directed that the government must acquire the land in the name of the temple, not under any governmental or private title.
Receiver Must Be Scholar of Vaishnavism
In another significant directive, the Supreme Court instructed the Civil Judge of Mathura to appoint a Receiver to oversee the temple’s management. Importantly, the appointee must be someone deeply rooted in the Vaishnavite tradition, possessing a thorough knowledge of the Vedas and sacred scriptures, and experienced in the administration of religious institutions. The Court expressly prohibited the appointment of lawyers or civil servants to this position, underscoring the need for spiritual and doctrinal alignment in the temple’s internal governance.
The judgment further affirmed that there shall be no interference by district officials or government agencies in the temple’s internal affairs. All key decisions will rest solely with the Temple Trust and the appointed Receiver.
Overturning a Previous High Court Ruling
This Supreme Court decision also overturns a 2023 ruling by the Allahabad High Court, which had rejected the proposal to use temple funds for land acquisition. By revising this decision, the apex court has acknowledged the unique spiritual and logistical needs of one of India’s most iconic pilgrimage sites.
Advocate Sarthak Chaturvedi, appearing in the case, clarified that all acquired land will be officially registered in the name of the temple trust, thus safeguarding ownership rights and ensuring that the purpose remains exclusively devotional and not administrative.
Government’s Role and Financial Commitment
The Uttar Pradesh government, while defending the proposal in court, made it clear that its involvement is limited to facilitating the convenience of devotees, and not in managing the temple itself. For the current financial year, the state has allocated ₹150 crore (approximately USD 18 million) for the initiative—₹100 crore earmarked for land acquisition and ₹50 crore for the corridor’s development.
Mahendra Pratap Singh, Advocate and President of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Nyas, welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, calling it a boon for millions of devotees from India and abroad. “The corridor will make it easier for pilgrims to have darshan of Thakur Shri Banke Bihari Ji. The current situation forces them through narrow, winding alleys, often resulting in discomfort and health issues due to overcrowding,” he said.
The Supreme Court’s ruling not only paves the way for infrastructural advancement at one of India’s most venerated temples but also reaffirms the autonomy of religious institutions. With strong safeguards to maintain the temple’s spiritual integrity, and a clear boundary between state facilitation and religious governance, this corridor project marks a significant and sensitive blend of tradition with modern needs.
This decision, seen as both visionary and pragmatic, stands as a model for future projects involving sacred sites across India.
