From ruins

VRINDAVAN'S BRAHM KUND SPRINGS TO LIFE

Vrindavan

Brahma created the world, goes the story, but his own holy Kund in Vrindavan was in a shambles until a local NGO decided to take up its resurrection from ruins to life.

When activists of a local voluntary group two winters ago launched a project to restore glory and originality to one of Vrindavan's several community ponds with mythological significance, the reaction was one of disbelief and people thought it would prove  "a plain waste of efforts."

But activists and professionals associated with the Braj Foundation it was a challenge worth accepting. Their love's labour has now paid dividends as the holy pond has emerged as a major attention grabber in Vrindavan.

Today the resurrected Brahm Kund is the newest attraction for thousands of pilgrims who daily visit this temple town in Mathura district.

Gross insensitivity and callous neglect  had reduced the water body to a heap of debris. The local residents had virtually forgotten about the existence of "once a  great octagonal mythological pond" of the Braj mandal, the leela bhoomi of Sri Krishna-Radha revered by millions of Vaishnavites the world over.

The Brahma Kund today is a refreshing reminder of what committed conservationists can do to restore and resurrect historical sites through sustained efforts, despite cynicism and lack of cooperation from official bodies.

Situated towards the northern gate of the famous Rangji temple, constructed in South Indian style, the Brahm Kund finds mention in Varah Purana. It also has association with Shiva, Yog Maya and Chaitnya Maha Prabhu. Meera Bai is believed to have spent her first night in Vrindavan at the holy pond.

According to music maestro Acharya Jaimini "this pond was lying in a shambles for decades, buried in heaps of garbage, till the Braj Foundation volunteers took up this mighty task." What they have done is truly admirable, he adds.

After desilting and renovating  the pond's periphery, the stairs leading to the centre, fencing and landscaping, a nine foot tall statue of four-faced Brahma was installed on a lotus flower at the centre of the well. From each petal of the lotus, water springs to form streams filling the holy pond with clean water. Sprinklers have been installed to green the open spaces and plants, explained Gaurav Gola.

He recalls the initial hurdles and opposition from several quarters to the project. The local politicians raised all kinds of reservations and speculations. Encroachments on all the sides had made movement of machinery very difficult but we persevered and kept our cool. Eventually with the help of all our associates and sponsors there was "lo and behold a miracle before everyone. We have done the conservation with utmost care and passion. The way we managed to preserve an old Peepal tree was really an achievement," he added.

The landscape designer has developed an attractive rockery at the corner. The whole place is now lush green and the creepers on the eight minarets are drawing attention.

Vineet Narain, CEO of the Braj Foundation and the chief inspiration behind the project said a proper system had been put in place to manage the affairs and keep the conservational efforts at the highest performance level.  Through a public address system Braj geets and music are relayed. A commentator describes the historical relevance of the holy pond.