Bringing life back to Braj’s sacred waters

Team L&M

Braj Dham, the sacred land of Shri Radha Krishna’s divine pastimes, made a remarkable stride towards environmental rejuvenation. Addressing the pressing issue of water pollution in the revered Kundas, a concerted effort led by revered spiritual leaders and environmental experts from ISKCON, UPBTVP, Govardhan Eco Village and Braj Dham Seva Pehal, in collaboration with UP BTVP via chairman Shailajakant Mishra and CEO Nagendra Pratap, have begun the restoration process of these water bodies .

Reflecting on the collective enthusiasm, Gauranga Das Prabhu Ji, member of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission, said, “Cleansing the sacred Kundas of Braj is a labour of love and devotion. Every drop of restored water not only reflects purity but also mirrors our commitment to preserving the divine heritage of Shri Radha Krishna’s abode. Together, hand in hand, we embarked on this journey to nurture nature’s sanctity for the spiritual and ecological well-being of all. We hope our collective efforts serve as an eternal offering to the land that resonates with the divine pastimes.”

Announcing the restoration process, Padmanabha Goswami ji, Ramesh Baba ji, Vinod Bihari Baba ji and Radhanath Swami Maharaj ji, showcased the comprehensive solutions implemented to address water pollution. Harneet Hariharan provided an insightful narrative on the various solutions instrumental in elevating the water quality of Priya Kund.

A detailed report sheds light on the exhaustive surveys conducted across 13 Kundas. These surveys, undertaken with meticulous precision by a dedicated team of water experts, analysed biodiversity, collected water and sediment samples, and assessed the health of these water bodies. Subsequent analysis and root cause identification then culminated in a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was unanimously approved by the Braj Tirtha Vikas Parishad (BTVP).

The restoration initiatives have already commenced at Pili Pokhar and Pawan Sarovar in collaboration with SERI and UP-BTVP. These endeavours involve groundbreaking technology utilising bio-enzymes, a promising step toward revitalising six Kundas in the Braj region. In this process, the collaborative spirit exhibited by spiritual leaders, environmentalists, and local communities signifies a transformative journey towards safeguarding the ecological balance and heritage of Braj which ensures a collective call to action and urges devotees and stakeholders to join hands in ensuring the sustained rejuvenation of these sacred water bodies, preserving the sanctity of Braj’s heritage for generations to come.