Jamia Millia Islamia

Faculty of Architecture & Ekistics

Department of Architecture & Ekistics

Thesis
SYNOPSIS

Reviving the religious and cultural resources of BARSANA village

Submitted bySiraj Ahmed

M-Arch (RA)
3rd sem

INTRODUCTION:-

Landscape is a living heritage .It is a form of heritage that is currently requiring a lot of
attention. Recent studies in landscape architecture, geography and psychology suggests as to
how much a living and a dynamic landscape can contribute to the wellbeing and sense of
belonging of its inhabitants. (Lowenthal, 2003:14)
Historic settlements have a distinct physical, social, economic and symbolic meanings
attached to them, some of these meanings and their interpretations get influenced by the
changing perceptions of the inhabitants. As the new layers are added, the history and the
heritage of these respective settlements is buried far beneath. This project deals with the
revival of the religious and cultural resources of Barsana (the birth place of Radha ) , {which
is one of the most religious and historic Settlement in the Braj region .}
SEARCH:My thesis topic is an attempt to revive the religious and cultural resources of BARSANA
village.
Rejuvenating its historic precinct with newer contemporary roles while addressing their
historic cultural value as an intrinsic parameter and also connecting to the existing
mythologies and myths associated with the place.
The search is to identify the myths and socio-cultural patterns of these historic settlements, in
order to respond to it in an indigenous way through architecture.
AIM:

The aim of my thesis topic is to attempt to revive the religious and cultural resources

of BARSANA village.
To develop pilgrimage tourism - friendly base by interventions in the major areas of

the settlement.
To provide a showground for the display of cultural heritage so as to promote and
popularize it and hence increasing the level of cultural consciousness.

OBJECTIVE:-

By burgeoning Barsana in a holistic approach where the inhabitants there can get the

benefits of the place and can earn through the tourism industry.
By reviving the heritage of Barsana, migration towards the metropolitans can be

reduced, as its revival would create job opportunity for the people.
To generate a common platform for interaction of inhabitants and also provide them

with facilities of recreation and leisure.

By training the local people and regaining the lost art and craft of the place.

SITE SELECTION:Barsana is a village that is located 45 kilometers from the downtown of Mathura. Typical of
the villages in Braj, Barsana is also connected to the deities, Lord Krishna and Radha.
Barsana actually highlights the birthplace of Radha, the consort of Krishna. The culture of the
place is replete with numerous legends of Krishna and the Gopis and the poetic depiction of
these legends are very popular. This place is also one of the most sacred spot in the holy path
of circumambulation (parikramas) and is visited by thousands of pilgrims one of them being
Braj 84 kos yatra.
WHY BARSANA?
One of the reasons for selecting Barsana is to showcase the rich heritage of Uttar Pradesh by
enhancing its recreational portfolio, as presently it lacks in providing proper tourist facilities
for its pilgrims and job facilities for its inhabitants.

SCOPE:
Scope of the project revolves around the revival of the existing religious and cultural
resources of the place and generating opportunity through this for the betterment of the
society.
PLANNING METHODOLOGY:

Planning methodology of this project would be to develop Barsana as a model

study for the other parts of Uttar Pradesh.

To fulfil the vision of the U.P. Government, which is to train the local people and
create job opportunity for the same.

Creating spaces to educate people so that these newly trained people can act as
catalyst and become a game changer for the present scenario of Barsana.

WORKING METHODOLOGY:
After reading about the rich heritage of Uttar Pradesh, I have gone through the proposals that
are related to the heritage conservation and development of these small cities/villages which
adorn rich cultural heritages.
I have found that the Government of Uttar Pradesh seeks to develop Barsana as a cultural
heritage site so as to regain the lost ground of tourism in this state.
Barsana has so much potential to offer in terms of tourist attraction, religious tourism and
opportunities favouring the habitants living here.
In today's World as we talk about globalisation in terms of infrastructural development, now
it is possible that the tourist can reach at sites similar to Barsana within 3-4 hours from the
major cities of the country.
The Government has initiated to train local people thus rejuvenating the lost art and craft of
the place. For fulfilling the ideas of the government such places require Socio Cultural
Centre/ Kala Kendra where people can be trained thus contributing to the tourism.
What is happening in the present scenario is that we are training one generation to do
something but the next generation is migrating to other place to do something else. Thus
resulting in the downfall of the entire programme.
As a recreational architect it is our responsibility to educate the local people by telling them
about the importance of their rich heritage by developing and creating spaces like Kala
Kendra/Socio Cultural Centres.
The Question here is to not to change the working profile of the current generation but only
to devote some of their valuable time in contributing to the betterment of the society by
educating themselves on how to preserve the traditional paramounts of their vivid culture.
This project will be a help to the society and also a help in the generation of revenues via
these religious and cultural heritage.
Barsana comes under the Initiatives taken by the Government of Uttar Pradesh where they
intend to develop tourist attraction for both foreign tourist as well as religious tourist. Such a

places can become an open platform and a model case study and act as a benchmark for the
development in the other parts of the country.
Working methodology includes the identification of cultural and religious resources fused
together to create an experience for the visitors.
Methodology includes the identification of the festivals that belong to this region thus rooting
and connecting religious sentiments of the people henceforth contemplating an approach to
keep the tourism industry active and busy.

Festival list

Map: Barsana Village

View of Barsana from Hill

Land use map

Google image Barsana; Source : Internet

1.The chowk during Lathmaar Holi

Thela Hawkers

Visual study

1.The chowk during normal days

Footpath Hawkers

Key plan