Revitalization of “Janmabhoomi Heritage Complex, Mathura”: An Approach to Revitalize Cultural Heritage

Abstract

Mathura is the most sacred place and pilgrim center for the Hindus. A large number of people throng to Mathura every year to celebrate the Janma-Ashtami festival. There are some other major festivals like Holi and Diwali that are part of their cultural and social activities. Within the city, there are lots of cultural and historically significant buildings and structures is existed. Ghats, Temples, Dharamshalas, Kunds, and Havelis are the parts of the old city area. All of these heritage structures and buildings are connected through the two different Parikrama Margs/Paths. Both inner and outer Parikrama path connects the two major places of the city area one is Vishram Ghat and another is Janmabhoomi Temple Complex. During the festival time, pilgrims use to walk along the Parikrama path to cover all religious heritage structures.  Along the Parikrama path, the Krishna Janmabhoomi complex is a major pilgrimage center of the city and it is one of the most disputed heritage sites as like as Ram Janmabhoomi. Currently, the area around the Janmabhoomi Temple Complex is facing a number of issues due to increase in the economic activities and also due to the rising population of the inhabitant and tourists. Lack of infrastructure causing problems for the pilgrims and the tourists. This paper discusses the existing issues and analysis regarding the traffic, character, degradation of heritage, function, and accessibility to the religious place of the Janmabhoomi area.