Vrindavan Today - India

04/10/2026

Who is a Sadhu?

It is a relevant question; and one that many may be asking today.

Is a sadhu defined by his robes, his appearance, or the place where he sits? Or is true sadhutva reflected in his character, conduct, humility and devotion?

What do the scriptures say about the qualities of a true Vaishnava and a genuine sadhu?

Read the full article to discover what truly defines a Sadhu.

Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught Sanatana Goswami about the character of a genuine devotee Vrindavan Today | Bureau Report In the Chaitanya Charitamrita (Madhya-lila 22.78–80), Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu describes to Srila Sanatana Goswami the qualities that distinguish a true Vaishnava. His teachin...

01/10/2026

The city of Krishna needs its sacred character to extend beyond a boundary drawn on an old municipal map Vrindavan Today | Bureau Report 1st October, 2026, (Vrindavan): There was a time when Vrindavan was surrounded by the Yamuna on three sides. The river was not merely a geographical feature. It wa...

01/10/2026

We are delighted to share that Nandgaon’s Shankar Leela has been featured as the Cover Story of Vrindavan Today's September Edition.

A cherished expression of Braj’s living tradition, Shankar Leela brings alive the beautiful bond between Mahadev and Nandlal, where Shiva himself comes seeking the darshan of child Krishna.

A story of devotion, folk tradition and the timeless spirit of Braj Bhava.

A proud moment for Nandgaon and for the living heritage of Braj.

You may book your copy now by sending WhatsApp on +917456930889.

30/09/2026

Municipal Corporation collects fines amounting to around ₹50,000. Vrindavan Today | Bureau Report 30th september, 2026, (Mathura) As part of the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign, the Mathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation on Tuesday organised an extensive cleanliness and public awareness drive in ...

28/09/2026

– Radha-Krishna in a 300-Year-Old Golden Crown – Maha Raas Comes Alive at Madhoi Vrindavan Today | By Sushil Goswami 26th September, 2026, (Barsana) A nearly seven-century-old tradition of Raas in Braj came alive once again on Saturday at Madhoi, a village near Barsana, as the sacred Maha Raas w...

26/09/2026

Vrindavan Today | Bureau Report The death of a 25-year-old sadhak at Gau Kripa Kunj Ashram on Varah Ghat Road has raised several questions. Police are investigating the incident, while the post-mortem and forensic reports are awaited. The deceased has been identified as Deepak Lodhi, also known as R...

25/09/2026

Master Plan earmarks 60% of the 275.91-hectare belt for ashrams and monasteries; yet hotels, restaurants and commercial complexes have mushroomed Vrindavan Today | Bureau Report A stretch of land that was supposed to preserve the religious character of Vrindavan is increasingly beginning to resemble...

24/09/2026

“The Municipal Corporation’s mobile application is being upgraded and a two-hour response time is being set for garbage-related complaints. If a complaint is not resolved within the stipulated period, it will be escalated progressively to senior officials,”Aojaswi Raj, Municipal Commissioner V...

24/09/2026

Lord Ranganatha Takes a Boat Ride with Goddess Goda, Appears as Lord Vamana

A three-day Boat Festival (Nauka Utsav) of Lord Shri Ranganatha is being organised during the Shukla Paksha of the month of Bhadrapada. As part of the festival, Lord Ranganatha, accompanied by Goddess Goda, emerged from the main shrine seated in a golden palanquin.
Amid the melodious sounds of traditional musical instruments, the palanquin was carried from the temple to the Pushkarini Sarovar, where the deities were ceremonially seated in a beautifully decorated boat.
Lord Vamana Appears with an Umbrella and Kamandalu
On the occasion of Vamana Dwadashi, Lord Ranganatha appeared in the divine form of Lord Vamana. In this form, the Lord held a kamandalu (water pot) in one hand and a ceremonial umbrella in the other.
A large number of devotees gathered to have darshan of the Lord in this special form. Devotees could be seen standing all around the Pushkarini Sarovar, eagerly awaiting the divine darshan.
Pushkarini Illuminated with Colourful Lights
For the Nauka Utsav, the Pushkarini Sarovar was beautifully decorated with colourful festoons and lights. The entire water body glowed under the vibrant illumination, creating a spectacular sight.
The boat carrying the deities was also adorned with colourful lights. During the boat procession, whenever the boat reached the four corners of the Pushkarini, temple priests performed aarti in honour of the Lord.
The Tradition Behind the Festival
Festivals hold a central place in the annual traditions of Shri Ranganatha Temple, where both South Indian and North Indian religious traditions are celebrated throughout the year. The Nauka Utsav is one such traditional celebration.
The three-day festival follows a distinctive ritual schedule. On the first day, Lord Ranganatha makes five rounds of the Pushkarini Sarovar, while on each of the following two days, the Lord makes seven rounds.
During the festival, classical musician Dr. Vasudevan, who came from Delhi, enthralled the devotees with devotional songs and musical offerings to the Lord.

23/09/2026

ANOTHER OLD TREE FALLS IN VRINDAVAN.

A more than 50 year old tree planted in front of Heritage Public School in Vrindavan has fallen, once again raising serious questions about the unchecked concretisation taking place across the holy city.

The condition around the tree tells an important part of the story. There was almost no breathing space around its base, with concrete covering the area around the tree.

Trees need more than sunlight and air. Their roots need access to water and oxygen, and healthy soil around the root zone is essential for their long term survival. Excessive concretisation can reduce water infiltration into the soil and restrict root aeration. Over time, this can contribute to root stress, decline and reduced stability, particularly in older trees.

And this is not an isolated concern in Vrindavan.

In the past three months, more than five large trees have reportedly fallen across Vrindavan. Dozens have dried up.

Again and again, the issue of concretisation around trees has been raised by local residents, environmental groups and organisations including Vrindavan Devale Samiti, who have been demanding deconcretisation and protection of the remaining trees.

The National Green Tribunal has previously dealt specifically with excessive concretisation in Vrindavan. In its proceedings concerning areas including Banke Bihari Colony, Ramanreti, Kailash Nagar, Chaitanya Vihar and Yamuna Parikrama Marg, the issue of concretisation around trees was raised, and directions were issued concerning compliance with government guidelines and protection of trees.

The NGT has also directed authorities in Vrindavan to deconcretise at least one metre around trees, while emphasising the importance of protecting roots and preserving topsoil.

In 2025, the NGT again reiterated that authorities must follow guidelines against indiscriminate concretisation and keep adequate non concretised space around trees to ensure their healthy growth and survival.

The question now is not whether the problem has been identified.

It has.

The question is: when will the existing directions and guidelines actually be implemented on the ground?

Vrindavan cannot afford to lose its old trees one by one.

If the concrete continues to expand while the space around the roots continues to disappear, what will happen to the trees that have stood here for decades?

Development should not mean eliminating the natural spaces that make Vrindavan what it is.

Trees need soil.
Trees need water.
Trees need space to breathe.

VRINDAVAN NEEDS DECONCRETISATION, NOT MORE CONCRETE.