Sustainable Pilgrimage Corridor: A case of Vrindavan

Abstract:

Vrindavan, a sacred town in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district, holds immense spiritual
importance in Hinduism as the legendary playground of Lord Krishna. Despite its global
pilgrimage appeal, the urban environment of Vrindavan is under severe stress due to
unmanaged religious tourism, unregulated commercial expansion, and fragmented civic
infrastructure. Core precincts like the Banke Bihari Temple zone, Loi Market, Yamuna
Ghats, and the 21-kilometer Parikrama Marg experience extreme congestion, sanitation
challenges, and environmental degradation, especially during peak festivals. The absence
of a coordinated urban planning mechanism has resulted in piecemeal interventions,
compromising both spiritual sanctity and urban functionality.

This study proposes a Comprehensive Pilgrimage Corridor that integrates sacred

geography, pedestrian connectivity, heritage preservation, and ecological restoration
within a unified governance framework. Anchored around the Banke Bihari precinct and
extending to Nidhivan, Keshi Ghat, Rangji Temple, and other religious-spiritual
landmarks, the project seeks to transform Vrindavan into a model of sustainable
pilgrimage urbanism. Key features include the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle
(SPV) for coordinated implementation, rehabilitation zones for affected vendors and
residents, smart mobility interventions, and financial models combining state, central, and
private funding mechanisms.

Drawing on successful case studies like the Kashi Vishwanath and Mahakal corridors,
this initiative presents Vrindavan as a replicable model of spiritual urban renewal. It
emphasizes inclusive stakeholder participation, heritage-sensitive design, and long-term
ecological and economic sustainability. The proposal reimagines the sacred landscape not
only as a devotional terrain but as an evolving urban form where spiritual experience,
environmental responsibility, and community well-being coexist harmoniously.

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Methodology:

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 Introduction :

Vrindavan, located on the banks of the Yamuna River in the Mathura district of Uttar
Pradesh, is one of India’s most revered pilgrimage towns, deeply rooted in the mythology
of Lord Krishna’s early life. The town’s spiritual significance, combined with its
extensive temple network—over 5,000 temples including Banke Bihari, ISKCON,
Govind Dev, and Rangji—has made it a magnet for domestic and international devotees.
Vrindavan witnesses an extraordinary influx of pilgrims during festivals such as
Janmashtami, Holi, Radhashtami, and the sacred Kartik month, creating immense
pressure on its fragile urban infrastructure.

Despite its divine allure, Vrindavan’s urban core suffers from a range of structural and
systemic issues. The historic lanes around Banke Bihari Temple are frequently
overcrowded, lacking designated pedestrian pathways, proper sanitation, and emergency
infrastructure. Encroachments, unmanaged street vending, and traffic congestion in areas
like Loi Bazaar and Keshi Ghat compromise not only mobility but also the town’s
heritage aesthetic. The Yamuna Ghats, vital for ritual practices, face pollution from
sewage discharge and urban runoff, threatening both ecological health and ritual sanctity.
Religious sites such as Nidhivan, Garud Govind Temple, and Katyayani Temple remain
physically and thematically disconnected from the larger pilgrimage narrative due to poor
access and inadequate visitor infrastructure.

The challenges facing Vrindavan are emblematic of those encountered by many

pilgrimage towns in India—urban sprawl, environmental degradation, cultural erosion,
and lack of coordinated governance. In response to these issues, this paper proposes the
development of a Comprehensive Pilgrimage Corridor, rooted in principles of integrated
urban planning, heritage conservation, ecological sustainability, and participatory
governance. The corridor focuses on strengthening pedestrian connectivity through the
revitalization of the Parikrama Marg, improving temple access, upgrading market
infrastructure, restoring the Yamuna riverfront, and creating safe and inclusive public
spaces for both pilgrims and residents.

Central to this vision is the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)—a

dedicated institutional mechanism tasked with coordinating efforts across government
bodies, religious institutions, and community stakeholders. Drawing lessons from
successful models like the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi and the Mahakal Lok
Corridor in Ujjain, the proposed initiative outlines a roadmap for financial planning, land
rehabilitation, mobility management, and public-private partnerships. By aligning
religious, cultural, ecological, and urban planning priorities, the project aspires to
reimagine Vrindavan not merely as a devotional destination but as a model for
regenerative sacred urbanism in the 21st century.

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 Introduction to Vrindavan

📍 Location: Situated in Mathura district, Uttar

Braj Bhoomi Map Source: Braj Teerth Development Plan

Pradesh, along the Yamuna River.

🕉️ Spiritual Hub: Believed to be where Lord
Krishna spent his childhood.
🌿 Name Origin: 'Vrinda' (Tulsi) + 'Van'
(Forest) = Vrindavan – Forest of Tulsi.
🛕 Temple Town: Home to over 5,000 temples
including Banke Bihari & ISKCON.
🌍 Global Pilgrimage: Visited by devotees from
across India and the world.
🎉 Festival Magnet: Bustles during
Janmashtami, Holi, Radhashtami, etc.
🚶 Parikrama Marg: Sacred 21-km path around
the town for spiritual walks.
🏗️ Urban Transformation: Temple Corridor &
smart planning are underway. (Vrindavan 2023)

Existing Land Use around Vrindavan Parikrama

Marg

Religious land use is only 4.7% but attracts the highest

footfall, especially to Banke Bihari Temple.

Overcrowding in a limited space leads to congestion and

safety concerns during peak and festive days.

A dedicated temple corridor is essential to manage Existing Landuse Source: Primary Survey , ESRI (2025)

pedestrian flow and improve visitor experience.

Temple Visit Preference

Banke Bihari Temple dominates with 48.3% of total visits,
highlighting it as the most important spiritual and tourist
destination in the area.

A significant number (15.5%) of respondents prefer

visiting all major temples, indicating a broader pilgrimage
circuit and the potential for corridor-based planning.

Other notable temples like Govind Dev (6.9%), Iskcon,

Rangji, and Prem Mandir (each around 5.2%) suggest
secondary but steady footfall, reinforcing a need for better
inter-temple connectivity.
Existing Landuse Pie chart
Temples like Gopeshwar Mahadev and Katyayani have the
lowest individual share (1.7%), possibly due to location,
awareness, or accessibility.

The spread suggests a hub-and-spoke pilgrimage pattern,

with Banke Bihari Temple as the core and others forming 4
peripheral nodes.
The Banke Bihari Temple, a major pilgrimage hub, faces severe crowding, lack of
designated access routes, and unsafe conditions during peak seasons. The precinct is
marked by encroachments, insufficient sanitation, and a complete absence of emergency
infrastructure. Nearby, Loi Market, once a symbol of traditional Vrindavan commerce,
is deteriorating due to unmanaged vending, poor waste disposal, and vehicular congestion
that hampers both mobility and aesthetics. The area's historical facades are crumbling,
and the organic character of the market is being lost to unchecked commercialization.
Devotees often struggle to navigate narrow lanes, which become bottlenecks during
festivals, posing risks to life and property. The lack of designated vendor zones and
pedestrian pathways results in disorder, deterring both pilgrims and local business
sustainability. These conditions create not only a chaotic visitor experience but also
endanger lives and degrade heritage.

Beyond the core temple zone, other sacred nodes face similar neglect. The Yamuna
Ghats, integral to daily rituals and festivals, are polluted, under-maintained, and poorly
connected to the rest of the city, diminishing both ecological function and ritual purity.
Open drains and sewage often discharge into the river, violating environmental norms
and hurting public sentiment. Rangji Temple and Garud Govind Temple, with their
distinct architectural and cultural significance, remain isolated from the main spiritual
circuit due to the lack of integrated pedestrian pathways, signage, and visitor facilities.
Their surroundings lack basic amenities like clean toilets, shaded waiting areas, and
crowd-control mechanisms. Meanwhile, Nidhivan, a sacred grove believed to be the site
of Lord Krishna’s Raas Leela, is threatened by unmanaged tourist inflows and ecological
disturbance, lacking protective zoning and monitoring mechanisms. The grove’s fragile
ecosystem is at risk due to footfall pressure, unsupervised entry, and nearby urban
expansion. These sacred sites, though individually revered, exist in fragmented urban
contexts with no overarching vision for connectivity, conservation, or crowd
management. (Singh 2023)

In the absence of a unified planning and governance mechanism, these diverse issues
have remained unresolved. Fragmented efforts and isolated beautification drives have
failed to restore Vrindavan’s spiritual fabric or meet the needs of its growing pilgrim
base. There is also a lack of synergy between municipal agencies, tourism boards, and
religious institutions, leading to delays and inconsistent interventions. Therefore, the
creation of a Comprehensive Pilgrimage Corridor, anchored around the Banke Bihari
precinct and connecting Loi Market, Rangji Temple, Garud Govind Temple,
Yamuna Ghats, and Nidhivan, is imperative. Such an initiative must be led by a
Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that ensures coordinated planning, heritage-sensitive
infrastructure, ecological restoration, and community participation. The corridor should
prioritize universal accessibility, crowd flow optimization, vendor integration, and green
infrastructure.

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Surveys (Source: Primary Surveys)

Nearly half the visitors (48.3%) primarily visit

Banke Bihari Temple, making it the most
frequented shrine in Vrindavan. This
concentration suggests the need for focused
crowd management and infrastructure
development

E-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are the most

preferred mode of local transport (39.7

Walking is the second most common choice (29.3

Private vehicles (27.6%) reflect a notable share

Public transport (3.4%) is barely used,

highlighting a gap in organized transit
infrastructure within the city.

Most visitors are from North Indian urban

centers, especially around the Delhi-NCR and
Western UP zone

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 Business Dominance: The largest share,
33.3%, are business/shop owners, highlighting a
commerce-driven community.
Significant Homemaker Presence:
Homemakers make up 26.2%, indicating a
strong household-based role distribution.
Diverse Employment Mix: Service jobs
(21.4%) and daily wage labourers (9.5%) reflect
varied livelihood patterns.

Established Presence: A strong 42.5% of

businesses have been operating for over 5 years.

Emerging Enterprises: Another 40% fall

within the 1–5 years range

New Entrants: 17.5% are less than a year

old

Retail Dominates: Handicrafts/clothing

(30%) and religious items shops (27.5%) form
the backbone of the local business ecosystem.
Support Services: Transport services (20%)
and food stalls (17.5%) also hold a significant
share, catering to visitor needs.
Limited Hospitality: Only 5% of
businesses are hotels or guesthouses, suggesting
a gap in accommodation infrastructure.

Festive Highs: Holi (32.5%) and

Janmashtami (30%) are the top peak seasons,
drawing major crowds.
Religious Calendar Impact: Kartik month
(20%) and Govardhan Puja (17.5%) also
contribute significantly to seasonal business
surges.
Event-Centric Economy: The data
highlights strong dependence on religious
festivals for business momentum.

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Current Pedestrian Flow
1. Parikrama Marg is Already a Major Pedestrian Spine
Source: Primary Survey , ESRI
(2025)
The red dotted line shows that pilgrims are already using
this circular route as a primary walking path around
Vrindavan’s religious core.

The flow appears to be continuous and well-established,

especially between major landmarks like:

• Banke Bihari Temple

• Nidhivan, Keshi Ghat, Rangji Temple,

Katyani Temple

2. Multiple Modal Intersections Along the Route

E-rickshaw points (black dashed circles) show

intersections of pedestrian and e-rickshaw routes.
CURRENT STREET SECTIONS FOR 3 M AND 6 M ROADS Source: Primary Survey
This suggests:

• Pilgrims often use e-rickshaws to reach

key points, then continue the rest of the
journey on foot.

• These nodes act as transition hubs

between walking and vehicular
movement.

3. High Footfall Areas

Dense clustering of pedestrian paths is seen around:

• Banke Bihari Temple

• Keshi Ghat
High pedestrian footfall, especially during festivals, causes overcrowding and
• Nidhivan discomfort specially around identified corridor proposal area. Wider roads (6M)
like Loi Bazaar also face encroachment from vendors, reducing walkability.
These are likely congestion hotspots where foot traffic
peaks, especially during festivals.

4. Access from Peripheral Areas Current Pedestrian Flow Source: Primary Survey

Pedestrian flow connects well with incoming roads from

Mathura, Chhatikara, Jait, etc.

This shows the influx of pilgrims arriving from outside and

entering the core on foot — indicating a need for better
wayfinding, shaded walkways, and safety measures on
approach roads.

5. Imbalance in Mode Priority

Despite heavy foot traffic, e-rickshaw points still exist inside

the pedestrian-priority areas.

This implies a lack of full pedestrian-only zones and

mixed-use pressure on certain corridors (Kevin Griffin
2018) (Sharma 2019) (Abhilash Vishwakrma 2024) (Sati
2023)possibly leading to conflicts between walkers and
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vehicles.
 STRUCTURE FOR PROPOSED SPV
Proposals
Creating a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the Banke Bihari Structure of Proposed SPV

Corridor is essential to ensure focused, coordinated, and accountable

implementation of this complex urban and heritage project. Given the
multifaceted nature of the corridor—encompassing heritage
conservation, infrastructure upgrades, traffic decongestion, riverfront
rejuvenation, and pilgrim management—an SPV acts as a dedicated
nodal agency that brings together various stakeholders under a single
governance framework.

It enables streamlined decision-making, financial transparency,

integration of central/state funding schemes, and public-private
partnerships. Learning from successful models like the Kashi
Vishwanath and Mahakal Lok corridors, the SPV ensures that the
project is executed efficiently, sustainably maintained, and responsive
to the needs of local communities, pilgrims, and environmental
sensitivities.

Map (A) highlights the proposed 2.5 km corridor stretch in Vrindavan

for redevelopment and rehabilitation, connecting major landmarks like
Banke Bihari Temple, Keshi Ghat, Nidhivan, Garud Govind Temple,
and Rangji Temple. Key inferences include:

Total 363 properties are affected, with a large portion being

commercial/mixed-use (185 units) and 168 residential houses,
Map(A) of the area where Corridor is gonna proposed
indicating a need for a sensitive and inclusive rehab plan.

10 temples fall along the stretch, requiring spiritual, cultural, and

architectural preservation during development.
K
The red-marked areas along the black dotted line denote zones of
intervention, aligning with the project’s phased corridor plan for
pedestrianization, beautification, and infrastructure upgrading.

The concentration of structures near Banke Bihari Temple and

Parikrama Marg signifies this as the most congested and complex
area.

PROPOSED SITES FOR PARKING & REHABILITATION (Map B) Proposed Site Map(B) for Parking and Rehabilitation

Site 1 (8 acres) is planned for rehabilitation of displaced residents and

shopkeepers, offering housing and spaces near the temple zone (1.2 km
away).

Site 2 (6.5 acres), located further east, can serve as an additional

rehabilitation or vendor relocation area. Both sites are outside the
congested core, ensuring smooth resettlement. Their strategic
placement supports accessibility while maintaining spiritual zone
sanctity.

Site for Parking Area (16 acres )is a major parking zone for incoming
vehicles from the northwestern side, restricting vehicle entry beyond
point A except for e-rickshaws.

Site for Parking Area (1.5 acres) is a smaller parking facility catering
to central visitors, with entry limited beyond point C to only e-
rickshaws. 9
 Proposal for Yamuna Ghat Riverfront

The proposed redevelopment of the Yamuna Ghat in Vrindavan aims to

restore its spiritual, ecological, and cultural significance through a
holistic, environmentally sensitive approach. The project envisions clean
and accessible ghats with widened steps, improved lighting, landscaped
riverfront promenades, and bio-toilets to enhance the pilgrim experience.
Native vegetation will be planted along the banks to prevent erosion and
support biodiversity, while designated areas for rituals and aarti will be
developed to reduce crowding and maintain sanctity. Waste segregation
systems and decentralized wastewater treatment will be integrated to
protect the river's health. Overall, the ghat will be transformed into a
serene, functional, and sacred public space that honors the Yamuna’s
religious and ecological role.
Proposal for LOI Market Redevelopment Proposal for Yamuna Ghat Riverfront (3D Render Views)
The proposed redevelopment of Loi Market focuses on revitalizing its
urban fabric through a heritage-sensitive and pedestrian-friendly design.
The plan includes the creation of wide, stone-paved walkways, regulated
vendor zones, shaded seating areas, improved lighting, and underground
utilities to decongest the area. Facade improvement will be carried out
using traditional materials like sandstone, carved jharokhas, and locally
inspired motifs to create a cohesive visual identity that reflects the sacred
and historical character of Vrindavan. The market will be transformed
into a vibrant, clean, and culturally immersive space that supports both
pilgrims and local livelihoods while preserving its traditional charm.
Proposal for LOI Market Redevelopment (3D Render Views)
Proposal for Parikrama Marg Redevelopment
The proposed redevelopment of Parikrama Marg in Vrindavan focuses on
enhancing the spiritual journey of pilgrims while ensuring environmental
sustainability, safety, and heritage conservation. The plan includes the
development of a continuous, shaded pedestrian pathway with natural
stone paving, resting areas, drinking water points, and bio-toilets at
regular intervals. Encroachments and vehicular interference will be
minimized through access control and designated service lanes. Native
landscaping and buffer zones will be created to reduce dust and improve
microclimate, while interpretive signage and wayfinding elements will
guide pilgrims and highlight cultural landmarks. The overall vision is toProposal for Parikrama Marg Redevelopment (3D Render Views)
transform Parikrama Marg into a sacred, serene, and well-managed
corridor that respects both tradition and modern needs Proposal For Funding

Proposal For Funding

The table outlines the financial and operational framework for a heritage
and urban development project, likely related to Vrindavan. It includes
₹200 crore from the Uttar Pradesh government for land acquisition,
infrastructure, and heritage development. Central schemes like
PRASHAD, AMRUT, and Namami Gange may provide additional
funding support. Approximately ₹100–150 crore is anticipated from
central tourism projects. A significant share of the state funds will go
toward compensating shop owners displaced from areas near key temples
and parikrama paths. Land monetization through redevelopment and
façade control is planned, supported by market-driven lease and rental
mechanisms. Spiritual and corporate donations, particularly from
ISKCON and other religious bodies, are expected to play a role. Future
institutional funding could come from bodies like HUDCO and the World
Bank. Public-private models are envisioned for smart mobility, parking,
and commercial infrastructure, such as e-rickshaw networks and smart
parking. Revenue generation will focus on user fees, amenities, and
branding rights, aiming for ₹5–10 crore annually to support ongoing 10
operations and maintenance.
Conclusion

The study of the Sustainable Pilgrimage Corridor in Vrindavan offers a critical rethinking
of how sacred towns can be revitalized through a holistic blend of heritage preservation,
ecological sensitivity, and strategic urban planning. As one of the most spiritually
significant sites in India, Vrindavan's contemporary challenges—ranging from
unregulated urban sprawl and ecological degradation to infrastructural bottlenecks and a
compromised pilgrimage experience—demand a response that transcends piecemeal
development. This research presents the corridor not merely as a physical infrastructure
project but as a transformative spatial and cultural intervention that redefines the
relationship between the sacred, the civic, and the sustainable.

Anchored in the ethos of integrative planning, the proposed corridor aligns religious
circuits such as the Parikrama Marg and temple clusters with smart urban design
principles, heritage conservation strategies, and ecological restoration frameworks.
Drawing from successful precedents like the Kashi Vishwanath and Mahakal corridors,
the Vrindavan model customizes interventions suited to its unique Braj heritage and
Yamuna riverine ecology. This includes heritage-sensitive façade control, redevelopment
of bazaars, pedestrianization, wetland revival, and ghats rejuvenation—all guided by a
Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model to ensure coordinated and transparent
implementation.

Importantly, the project places emphasis on socio-economic inclusion by integrating

rehabilitation frameworks for affected vendors and local stakeholders, fostering
livelihood continuity while ensuring spatial order. Financial sustainability is envisioned
through a hybrid model of state and central funding, public-private partnerships, spiritual
philanthropy, and value capture mechanisms like land monetization and user fees. By
embedding cultural identity, ecological logic, and participatory governance into its
design, the corridor offers a replicable model for other pilgrimage towns across India.

In essence, this research asserts that Vrindavan’s future lies in embracing a development
model that venerates its sacred past while preparing it for a sustainable urban future. The
proposed corridor offers more than infrastructure—it provides a framework for
regenerative urbanism, where spiritual experience, environmental stewardship, and urban
equity coexist. As sacred cities evolve under the pressure of modernity, the Vrindavan
model exemplifies how respectful, strategic, and inclusive planning can help restore
sanctity while meeting the aspirations of a growing, diverse population of pilgrims,
residents, and future generations.

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