What Heartfulness Will Do in Vraj Kshetra

An initiative spearheaded by Heartfulness in partnership with the Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad (UPBTVP).

21

PROJECTS

Across 5 project groups in the Braj region

40KM

COVERAGE RANGE

From Krishna Janma Bhumi Temple, Mathura

3 Lakh ha

CULTURAL SPREAD

Across UP, Rajasthan and Haryana

Vraj landscape

THE MISSION

A Revered Restoration of Ecology and Culture

The Vraj Vaibhav Abhiyan is a transformative environmental and heritage restoration initiative spearheaded by Heartfulness and the Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad (UPBTVP) in the region of Mathura, Vrindavan, and surrounding areas.

The historical, ecological, and spiritual glory of Vraj Kshetra is under severe strain from unchecked pollution and plastic waste. This campaign seeks to mobilise a massive network of experts, dedicated volunteers, government agencies and socially responsible organisations to actively participate on the ground.

The 21-Project Portfolio

All funding requirements in INR. *80G tax exemption applicable for eligible donations.

21Projects
5Categories
₹77.5 CrTotal investment
80GTax eligible

ProjectScope / Location
01Inner Parikrama Path (circumambulation)Funded by BTVP
02Raingun Sprinkler System60 Ha irrigation
03Rainwater Harvesting & Soil-Moisture Conservation200 Ha zone
04Plantation on Vacant Spaces15 Ha · 45–55k saplings

PART I · ₹10.7 CR GOVARDHAN GIRI PROJECTS

Restoring the Sacred Hill of Govardhan

Govardhan Hill — lifted by Krishna's little finger — is the most sacred geographical feature of Vraj. Four projects address its pathways, water, soil, and forest cover across 200 hectares.

Govardhan Parikrama path
PROJECT 01 · BTVP FUNDEDROUTE · 7 KM CLOCKWISE

Inner Parikrama Path

A 7 km Sacred, Sensitive & Sustainable Pathway around Giriraj Govardhan Ji — separate lanes for pedestrians and Dandwat Parikrama pilgrims, ensuring devotees do not touch the exposed sacred stone.

  1. 0.0 kmPunchri — Start
  2. 1.6 kmDan Ghati
  3. 3.4 kmMukhharvind
  4. 5.4 kmRadha Kund — Finish

Pathway Specifications

Reserve forest sensitive design · minimal intervention · maximum protection

Total length7 km
Total length7 km
Total length7 km
Total length7 km
Total length7 km
Total length7 km
  • ✓Protects sacred stone of Giriraj Ji — devotees do not touch exposed stone
  • ✓Separate pedestrian and Dandwat Parikrama lanes
  • ✓Solar-powered night lighting throughout
  • ✓Drinking water, resting areas and first aid posts

PROJECT 02 · ₹3.0 CR

Raingun Sprinkler System

Raingun irrigation across 60 Ha of Govardhan Hill to support survival and growth of native rootstocks — especially Peelu (Salvadora persica) and Dhau (Anogeissus pendula). Solar-powered electric high-pressure pump delivers efficient water droplets over large areas with minimal wastage.

60 HaCoverage
20 unitsRainguns
SolarPowered

PROJECT 03 · ₹4.0 CR

Rainwater Harvesting & Soil-Moisture Conservation

Integrated water balance model across 200 hectares; half-moon contour trenches, garland drains, guided storm water drains, loose boulder checks, recharge pits, Kund restoration and raingun irrigation. Captures rainfall → stores → recharges → reuses for plantation.

200 HaZone
7Structures

PROJECT 04 · ₹3.7 CR

High-Density Native Plantation

Creating 15 Ha of resilient, biodiverse sacred forest using the Heartfulness Miyawaki-inspired method with soil enrichment. 45,000–55,000 saplings planted at high density across multiple layers: canopy, sub-canopy, understory, shrub, ground, and root.

15 HaArea
55kSaplings
2–3 yrMaintenance

PART II · ₹36.0 CR 10 SACRED KUNDS ADOPTED BY HEARTFULNESS

Reviving Vraj's Holy Water Bodies

Kunds are traditional engineered water bodies — sacred stepwells and tanks — holding deep ecological, cultural and spiritual significance. Heartfulness has adopted 10 for complete eco-restoration across the Braj region.

Kund 01

Govind Kund

Aanyor Village, Govardhan · 0.98 ha

Grade B · Survey 93/300

Kund 02

Gandharv Kund

Aanyor Village, Govardhan · 1.59 ha

Grade D–E · Poor Condition

Kund 03

Narad Kund

Semi-Urban · High Heritage Value

High Public Access

Kund 04

Surbhi Kund

Jatipura, Govardhan · 0.3 ha

Grade B · 170/300

Kund 05

Putna Kund

Vrindavan Region

Restoration Priority

Kund 06

Uddhav Kyari Kund

Near Nand Mahal · 0.22 ha

Grade A · 43/300

Kund 07

Do Mil Kund

Do Milan Van · 0.56 ha

Grade A · 43/300

Kund 08

Jakwari Maiyya Kund

Khrawai Village · 0.9 ha

Grade A · 66/300

Kund 09

Airavat Kund

Govardhan Region

Ecological Revival

Kund 10

Sankarshan Kund

Braj Region

Heritage Restoration

How Every Kund is Restored — Three Phases

A systematic, science-based three-phase approach applied to all 10 kunds

01

Site Preparation & Safety

  • ›Site preparation and assessment
  • ›Barricading and safety arrangements
  • ›Green net site curtaining
  • ›Installation of caution boards and signages
→

02

Cleaning, Dewatering & Desilting

  • ›Jalkumbhi (water hyacinth) and garbage removal
  • ›Pond dewatering
  • ›Dredging and desilting work
  • ›Pond bund and slope formation
  • ›Disposable mud transport to dumping place
  • ›Inlet-outlet cleaning and sluice gate repair
→

03

Restoration & Conservation

  • ›Ghat repair and restoration work
  • ›Façade and heritage treatment
  • ›Boundary wall making and restoration
  • ›SS railing and fencing installation
  • ›RO drinking water hut construction
  • ›Landscaping and Parikrama path development
  • ›Wetland creation and native aquatic planting

Water Recirculation & Treatment System

Keeping the sacred waters alive through hydraulic flow and natural purification

82 MLPond capacity
2 MLDRecirculation
100 KLDWetland treatment
150 KLEqualisation tank

PART III · ₹8.5 CR FOREST ECO RESTORATION & NURSERY

Reviving the Ancient Sacred Forests

The ancient forests (vans) of Vraj hold immense ecological and spiritual significance. Three projects address forest restoration and a model nursery to supply quality saplings for the entire Braj region.

Sacred & Native Species of Braj

All 16 species identified for plantation across Govardhan and forest restoration sites

KadambaNeolamarckia cadamba
PeeluSalvadora persica
DhauAnogeissus pendula
KikarAcacia nilotica
JamunSyzygium cumini
BanyanFicus benghalensis
PeepalFicus religiosa
BelAegle marmelos
KhejriProsopis cineraria
ArjunTerminalia arjuna
NeemAzadirachta indica
MoringaMoringa oleifera
BerZiziphus mauritiana
TamalDiospyros montana
PilkhanFicus infectoria
AmlaPhyllanthus emblica

PART IV · ₹16.0 CR TOURIST FACILITATION CENTRES

Supporting the Pilgrim Experience

Two Tourist Facilitation Centres at strategic locations for the operations and maintenance of greenery, water bodies and landscape — operated on a No Profit / No Loss model by Heartfulness for 10 years.

PROJECT 18 · ₹8.0 CR

TFC — Akbarpur–Jait, Mathura

An affordable, sustainable, visitor-friendly facility designed with universal accessibility, efficient circulation, rainwater harvesting and green infrastructure — shaded walkways inspired by Kanha Shanti Vanam.

  • ✓Comfortable accommodation and dormitories at economical rates
  • ✓Dining facilities, food courts and restaurants
  • ✓Reception, visitor services and information centre
  • ✓Tree-shaded parking for buses and private vehicles
  • ✓Green landscaping and eco-friendly pedestrian pathways
  • ✓Rainwater harvesting and sustainable green infrastructure

PROJECT 19 · ₹8.0 CR

TFC — Barsana

A mirrored facility at Barsana — the divine village of Radha — ensuring pilgrims approaching from the northern sacred sites have equal access to clean, dignified, affordable accommodation and support services.

  • ✓Operations and maintenance hub for the Barsana cluster of sites
  • ✓Pilgrimage accommodation, dormitories and dining halls
  • ✓Tree-shaded parking and landscaped green areas
  • ✓Shaded canopy walkways for devotee comfort
  • ✓Sustainable design with minimal environmental footprint
  • ✓10-year No Profit – No Loss operation by Heartfulness

PART V · ₹6.3 CR HEARTFULNESS INITIATIVES

Sacred Spaces for Meditation & Devotion

Two deeply spiritual sites developed by Heartfulness as contemplative sanctuaries — where nature, spirituality and ecological restoration converge.

Krishna Samadhi Sthal

₹3.8 Cr · Sacred Memorial Site

A resilient, flood-proof raised sacred mound (15 ft approx.) that integrates with nature and provides meditation, reflection and public gathering spaces — designed to stay above flood levels and remain accessible for all pilgrims year-round.

  • •Raised mound with gentle slopes and ramp network connecting all levels
  • •Circular meditation space at the top, surrounded by dense native plantation
  • •Natural organic-shaped Kund with seating for reflection
  • •River view decks with comfortable seating and Yamuna vistas
  • •Stone pitching, seating niches and plantation rings on all slopes

Sanket Van Ashram

₹2.5 Cr · Spiritual Retreat

A spiritual retreat with a tropical garden, meditation pods and serene landscape set amid green groves and along the river edge — a sanctuary for deep spiritual practice, sadhana and nature connection in the sacred land of Vraj.

  • •Tropical garden with native Braj tree species and flowering plants
  • •Meditation pods set amid green groves for uninterrupted sadhana
  • •River edge pathway for contemplative walking
  • •Serene landscape designed for healing and spiritual reflection
  • •Eco-friendly construction with natural materials

PROPOSED FUTURE INITIATIVE

Water Museum, Mathura — 5 Ha

A proposed 5-hectare water museum in Mathura celebrating Vraj's deep relationship with water — its sacred Kunds, the Yamuna River, and India's ancient water wisdom traditions. A world-class destination for education, culture and ecological awareness.

HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

Be Part of Reviving Vraj

Every form of contribution — time, skill, or resources — becomes an act of sacred service to Vraj.

Volunteer On-site

Dedicate your time and physical effort (shramdaan) by joining volunteer teams on the ground for tree plantation drives, Kund clean-up, and parikrama seva.

VRAJVAIBHAV.ORG/#INVOLVE

Spread the Word

Use your voice and social media to inspire others and build awareness about the Vraj Vaibhav movement. Every share reaches a potential volunteer or supporter.

@VRAJ_VAIBHAV_ABHIYAN

Support the Procurement

Fund the procurement of essential resources — tree saplings, waste management equipment, desilting machinery, safety gear and restoration materials.

HFN.LINK/DONATE-VRAJ

Adopt a Site

Sponsor the restoration and long-term stewardship of a specific Kund, parikrama route, or heritage forest site. Minimum corporate contribution: ₹10 Lakhs per project.

VRAJ@HEARTFULNESS.ORG

Employee Volunteering

Organise CSR or group volunteering days with your employees in Vraj. A profoundly meaningful team experience that combines service, nature and spirituality.

VRAJVAIBHAV.ORG/#INVOLVE

Corporate Sponsorship

Provide institutional funding. CSR Eligible under Companies Act 2013 (Schedule VII), 12A and 80G Certified. NGO Darpan and CSR-1 registered. Full impact documentation.

CSR@HEARTFULNESS.ORG

Join the Vraj Vaibhav Movement

This initiative transcends mere restoration — it represents our collective duty to future generations. Join us in the effort to serve and restore Vraj — for Krishna, for Nature, and for Humanity.