UP’s Vrindavan, Barsana Deemed Holy Sites, No Liquor, Meat Allowed

Devotees pull the chariot of Lord Rangnath during the Rath Ka Mela festival on the 9th day of Brahmotsava in Vrindavan.

(Photo: PTI)

The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday declared Vrindavan Nagar Palika Parishad and Barsana Nagar Panchayat in Mathura district as "pavitra tirth sthal" (holy pilgrim place).

The declaration was made at the eleventh hour as the State Election Commission announced civic polls in three phases from 22 November.

Vrindavan area in Mathura is the birth place of Lord Krishna and his elder brother Balram, and is world famous. Barsana is Radha’s birthplace. Lakhs of tourists visit these places to pay obeisance. Keeping in mind their importance and in view of tourism, these are declared as holy pilgrimage places.

An official release said

The declaration means no liquor or meat will be allowed in the two holy towns, reported The Indian Express.

From now, meat and liquor shops will be prohibited in these notified areas… Vrindavan and Barsana are the first two places to be notified as <i>teerth sthal</i> in government records.

<i>The Indian Express </i>quoted Avinish Kumar Awasthi, Principal Secretary (Religious Affairs)

Special attention will be paid to these areas for development of facilities for locals and tourists, the release said.

Mathura-Vrindavan Nagar Nigam was constituted recently along with Ayodhya Nagar Nigam.

(With inputs from PTI.)