Gahvarvan regains its original forest cover

Location and Description:
Located in West UP’s Barsana, in Mathura District, Gahvarvan has been suffering from years of neglect. But thanks to its extensive restoration successfully completed by The Braj Foundation, Gahvarvan has now turned into a major tourist attraction and has been revived to its original dense forest state.

According to legend Gahvarvan was Sri Radha Rani’s personal garden, where she spent a large part of her time frolicking with her friends while enjoying the scenic beauty of nature. It is said that even today none can enter Gahvarvan without her permission. Radha Rani’s hometown Barsana lies in close vicinity in the nearby foothill areas. The forest falls within the chaurasi kos (84 miles) Braj Parikrama.

Legend and History:
Some 500 years ago, Swami Haridas, famous guru of Mian Tansen, composed these verses of devotion, where Lord Krishna says to Radha Rani –

“Pyaari joo aagey chal, gehvarvan mein chal, Jahan bolen koyal ri”

‘my dear Radha, come lets go into Gehvarvan, where the koels are singing their sweet song of love’...

There is also a saying that goes as follows –
gehvarvan ke vaas ki, aas karen shiv shesh,
ya ki mahima ko kahen, yahan Shyam dhare sakhi vesh

‘Even the supreme lord Brahma and Shiva are hoping to be allowed to live in Gehvarvan. For here they will get a glimpse of their beloved Krishna, who lives among Sri Radha’s sakhis or companions, as one of them’.

The pitiable condition:
Gahvarvan, for reasons stated above, is an important part of the sacred landscape of Braj, and attracts tourists, devotees and pilgrims alike throughout the year. In the past Barsana’s prominent spiritual guru, Sri Ramesh baba, spent more than four decades lobbying for Gahvarvan’s protection and successfully brought it under the aegis of the UP forest department. But this happened only on paper. The so-called forest continued to be used as a dumping ground by locals, and its state probably got worse, with the vegetative cover thinning down, large scale deforestation and blatant encroachment. The large number of devotees visiting the forest during their Braj parikrama continued to be depressed at the pitiable state of Gahvarvan.

Process of Restoration and Revival by the Braj Foundation:
The Braj Foundation began its restoration efforts in mid 2006 and began with the cleaning and removal of the prickly overgrowth and unwanted vegetation. Deep irrigation facilities were installed to ensure perennial irrigation through the year. Extensive plantation and aforestation drives were undertaken. A pucca foundation and thick barbed wire has also been put in place to protect the grove from future abuse. Pathways of Dholpur stone have been laid out in a winding path, weaving in and out of the dense forest cover along with stone benches, so that visitors can enjoy the various facets of nature’s grandeur and spend their time imbibing the spirit of Radha Rani’s personal garden. All this has been done by the financial support of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., and the administrative support of the UP forest Department. 

Gahvarvan now stands proud in its new avatar welcoming visitors with its inviting green and dense forest, interlaced branches of old trees and fragrant blossoming flowers.

The Movement:
Initiated by Vineet Narain, a crusading journalist, Braj Foundation has undertaken the challenge to renovate and revive the entire land of Braj. More than 134 forests like Gahvarvan are lying neglected and in despair. After Gahvarvan, The Braj Foundation is now working toward the revival of Uddhav Kyari, in Nandgaon. This so called ‘forest’ of the UP forest Department has not even a single tree visible for acres. Due to administrative and political hassles this work has not been able to take off in its full force but efforts are underway towards that as well.

Many top industrialists from all over the country have also joined hands and are extending generous support.  Many young IITans jumped into this movement with their utter dedication. Rejecting all physical comforts they are personally reaching to hundreds of villages of Braj area for holistic upliftment. The newest and most unique GIS satellite technique is applied to recognize thousand of water bodies around Braj, though this process is exclusively expansive.  Mr. Raghav Mittal, project co-coordinator for The Foundation, says that they are preparing for marathon to save the ponds, forests and hills of Braj from massive destruction.  Since this mammoth task of conservation and restoration will benefit the entire human race for generations to come, all the limbs of society should commit for collective involvement—he added.

For more details contact:
To know more details about the Foundation’s ongoing efforts in the Braj region, please contact us at any of the address or phone numbers given below—

Delhi Head Office
Contact Persons:
Mr. Vineet Narain, CEO
Ph: 9811046800

Mr. Raghav Mittal, Project Coordinator
Ph: 0565-2540084, 9927337111

Mr. Rajneesh Kapur, Communications Officer
Ph: 011-26566800

Delhi Office
C-6/28, SDA, Hauz Khas New Delhi-16
Tel : 91-11-2656-6800, 91-11-2651-9080
Cell : 9873966800
E-mail : brajfoundation@gmail.com

Vrindavan Field Office
Flat No. 303 & 304, Keshav Kunj
Raman Reti, Opp. ISKCON Temple
Vrindavan, Dist. Mathura
Tel: 0565-2540084, 9927337111