What is Vraj Vaibhav Abhiyan?

Vraj Vaibhav Abhiyan is a sacred ecological and cultural revival initiative led by Heartfulness Institute in partnership with the Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad (UPBTVP). It comprises 21 projects — including restoration of 10 sacred Kunds, ancient Braj forests, Govardhan Hill eco-pathways and two pilgrim facilitation centres — with a total investment of ₹77.5 Crore.

Is donation to Vraj Vaibhav Abhiyan tax exempt?

Yes. Donations to Vraj Vaibhav Abhiyan through Heartfulness Institute are eligible for 80G tax exemption under the Income Tax Act. The organisation is also 12A certified, CSR-1 registered and listed on NGO Darpan. Corporate donations qualify under Schedule VII of the Companies Act 2013.

How many kunds are being restored by Heartfulness?

Heartfulness has adopted 10 sacred kunds for complete eco-restoration: Govind Kund, Gandharv Kund, Narad Kund, Surbhi Kund, Putna Kund, Uddhav Kyari Kund, Do Mil Kund, Jakwari Maiyya Kund, Airavat Kund and Sankarshan Kund — spread across Govardhan, Nandgaon and the broader Braj region.

What is the Govardhan Inner Parikrama Path project?

The Inner Parikrama Path is a 7-kilometre eco-friendly sacred pathway around Giriraj Govardhan Ji, funded by UPBTVP. It features separate lanes for pedestrians and Dandwat Parikrama pilgrims, natural stone paving, solar-powered lighting, RO water stations and zero plastic materials.

How can a company partner with Vraj Vaibhav Abhiyan for CSR?

Companies can adopt a specific site — kund, parikrama route or forest — for CSR under Companies Act 2013 Schedule VII. Minimum corporate contribution is ₹10 Lakhs per project. Contact csr@heartfulness.org or email vraj@heartfulness.org for site adoption.

Which trees are being planted in Vraj forest restoration?

16 native Braj species are planted: Kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba), Peelu (Salvadora persica), Dhau (Anogeissus pendula), Jamun, Banyan, Peepal, Bel, Khejri, Arjun, Neem, Moringa, Ber, Tamal, Pilkhan, Amla and Kikar — using the Heartfulness Miyawaki-inspired multi-layer method.

How can I volunteer for Vraj Vaibhav Abhiyan?

You can volunteer on-site for tree plantation drives, kund clean-ups and parikrama seva at vrajvaibhav.org/#involve. Organisations can arrange corporate employee volunteering days in Vraj — a CSR and spiritual experience combined.

What is the total project budget of Vraj Vaibhav Abhiyan?

The total investment required for all 21 projects is ₹77.5 Crore: Govardhan Giri Projects (₹10.7 Cr), 10 Sacred Kunds (₹36.0 Cr), Forest Eco Restoration (₹8.5 Cr), Tourist Facilitation Centres (₹16.0 Cr) and Heartfulness Initiatives (₹6.3 Cr).

Who is the government partner of Vraj Vaibhav Abhiyan?

The government partner is the Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad (UPBTVP) — a statutory body under the UP government. An MoU was signed in Mathura in July 2026 for ecological restoration and biodiversity enhancement.

What is the Heartfulness Miyawaki-inspired plantation method?

Heartfulness uses a Miyawaki-inspired high-density native plantation method in Vraj — planting 45,000–55,000 saplings across 15 hectares in multiple layers (canopy, sub-canopy, understory, shrub, ground and root) with soil enrichment for rapid forest regeneration over 2–3 years.

Vraj Vaibhav Initiatives — 21 Restoration Projects

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.

Government Partner

Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad (UPBTVP) — उत्तर प्रदेश ब्रज तीर्थ विकास परिषद

Projects

Across 5 project groups in the Braj region

₹77.5 Cr

Total Funding

Fully planned and costed restoration budget

40 km

Coverage Range

From Krishna Janma Bhumi Temple, Mathura

3 Lakh ha

Cultural Spread

Across UP, Rajasthan and Haryana

The 21-Project Portfolio

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

A — Govardhan Giri Projects		₹10.7 Cr
01. Inner Parikrama Path (circumambulation)	Funded by BTVP	(BTVP)
02. Raingun Sprinkler System	60 Ha irrigation	₹3.0 Cr
03. Rainwater Harvesting & Soil-Moisture Conservation	200 Ha zone	₹4.0 Cr
04. Plantation on Vacant Spaces	15 Ha · 45–55k saplings	₹3.7 Cr
B — 10 Kunds Project (Rejuvenating Ancient Water Bodies)		₹36.0 Cr
05. Narad Kund		₹4.5 Cr
06. Surbhi Kund		₹2.5 Cr
07. Airavat Kund		₹3.5 Cr
08. Jakwari Maiyya Kund		₹3.0 Cr
09. Govind Kund	0.98 Ha · Govardhan	₹4.5 Cr
10. Gandharv Kund	1.59 Ha · Govardhan	₹4.5 Cr
11. Sankarshan Kund		₹3.5 Cr
12. Putna Kund		₹3.0 Cr
13. Do Mil Kund	0.56 Ha · Nandgaon	₹3.5 Cr
14. Uddhav Kyari Kund	0.22 Ha · Near Nand Mahal	₹3.5 Cr
C — Forest Eco Restoration & Nursery		₹8.5 Cr
15. Bhandir Van and Vansivat	13.7 Ha sacred grove	₹3.5 Cr
16. Kamai Karhala Forest	17.5 Ha near Barsana	₹4.2 Cr
17. Model Nursery at Sunrakh, Vrindavan	3.45 Ha · 8 acres	₹0.8 Cr
D — Tourist Facilitation Centres		₹16.0 Cr
18. TFC — Akbarpur-Jait, Mathura	O&M operations base	₹8.0 Cr
19. TFC — Barsana	O&M operations base	₹8.0 Cr
E — Heartfulness Initiatives		₹6.3 Cr
20. Krishna Samadhi Sthal	Sacred memorial & meditation site	₹3.8 Cr
21. Sanket Van Ashram	Spiritual retreat with tropical garden	₹2.5 Cr
Total Investment Required		₹77.5 Cr

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.

Project 01 · BTVP Funded

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.

Route · 7 km Clockwise

0.0 kmPunchhri — Start

1.6 kmDan Ghati

3.4 kmMukharvind

5.4 kmRadha Kund — Finish

Pathway Specifications

Reserve forest sensitive design · minimal intervention · maximum protection

Total Length

7 km

Walking Path Width

2.5–3.0 m

Dandwat Lane Width

1.5–2.0 m

Surface

Natural stone pavers

Shade

Tree canopy & pergolas

Facilities

RO water, first aid, lighting

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
Spiritual, directional and environmental signage
Zero plastic · eco-friendly materials only

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 Ha

Coverage

20 units

Rainguns

Solar

Powered

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 Ha

Zone

Structures

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 Ha

Area

55k

Saplings

2–3 yr

Maintenance

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

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Kund 02

Gandharv Kund

Aanyor Village, Govardhan · 1.59 ha

Grade D–E · Poor Condition

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Kund 03

Narad Kund

Semi-Urban · High Heritage Value

High Public Access

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Kund 04

Surbhi Kund

Jatipura, Govardhan · 0.3 ha

Grade B · 170/300

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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

Khawai Village · 0.9 ha

Grade A · 66/300

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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

Site Preparation & Safety

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

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

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 ML

Pond Capacity

2 MLD

Recirculation

100 KLD

Wetland Treatment

150 KL

Equalisation 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.

Project 15 · ₹3.5 Cr

Bhandir Van & Vansivat

13.7 Hectares · Sacred Grove Revival

Ecological restoration of 13.7 Ha of the sacred Bhandir Van using the Heartfulness method — removing invasive species, restoring soil health, and planting diverse native Braj tree species to recreate the original forest character with eco-friendly nature trails, rainwater harvesting and wetlands.

Meditation & Satsang Plaza Rainwater Harvesting Tank Wetland / Bio-swale Eco Learning Centre Community Nursery & Seed Bank

Project 16 · ₹4.2 Cr

Kamai Karhala Forest

17.5 Hectares · Near Barsana

Restoring 17.5 Ha of degraded sacred land near Barsana into a thriving native Braj forest — removing invasive vegetation, regenerating soil health, establishing diverse native species, eco-friendly pathways, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and wetlands for long-term ecological resilience.

Sacred Tree Grove Meditation Satsang Grove Rainwater Harvesting Pond Watch Tower / Machan Community Learning Space

Project 17 · ₹0.8 Cr

Model Nursery — Sunrakh, Vrindavan

3.45 Ha · 8 Acres · 750 Planting Beds

A dedicated centre for propagation, conservation and supply of native plant species for the entire Braj region — producing indigenous trees, shrubs, grasses, climbers and medicinal plants. Equipped with polyhouses, net houses, mist chambers, biochar processing and hardening zones.

750 Planting Beds Drip Irrigation Biochar Processing Training Centre

Sacred & Native Species of Braj

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

Kadamba

Neolamarckia cadamba

Peelu

Salvadora persica

Dhau

Anogeissus pendula

Kikar

Acacia nilotica

Jamun

Syzygium cumini

Banyan

Ficus benghalensis

Peepal

Ficus religiosa

Bel

Aegle marmelos

Khejri

Prosopis cineraria

Arjun

Terminalia arjuna

Neem

Azadirachta indica

Moringa

Moringa oleifera

Ber

Ziziphus mauritiana

Tamal

Diospyros montana

Pilkhan

Ficus infectoria

Amla

Phyllanthus 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 →

What Heartfulness Will Do
in Vraj Kshetra

A Revered Restoration of Ecology and Culture

The 21-Project Portfolio

Restoring the Sacred Hill of Govardhan

Inner Parikrama Path

Pathway Specifications

Reviving Vraj's Holy Water Bodies

How Every Kund is Restored — Three Phases

Water Recirculation & Treatment System

Reviving the Ancient Sacred Forests

Sacred & Native Species of Braj

Supporting the Pilgrim Experience

TFC — Akbarpur-Jait, Mathura

TFC — Barsana

Sacred Spaces for Meditation & Devotion

Be Part of Reviving Vraj

Join the Vraj Vaibhav Movement

What Heartfulness Will Doin Vraj Kshetra

A Revered Restoration of Ecology and Culture

The 21-Project Portfolio

Restoring the Sacred Hill of Govardhan

Inner Parikrama Path

Pathway Specifications

Reviving Vraj's Holy Water Bodies

How Every Kund is Restored — Three Phases

Water Recirculation & Treatment System

Reviving the Ancient Sacred Forests

Sacred & Native Species of Braj

Supporting the Pilgrim Experience

TFC — Akbarpur-Jait, Mathura

TFC — Barsana

Sacred Spaces for Meditation & Devotion

Be Part of Reviving Vraj

Join the Vraj Vaibhav Movement

What Heartfulness Will Do
in Vraj Kshetra