Pseudo devotion drives Real Estate Surge in Vrindavan

• Concern for the inhabitants to buy affordable housings
• The construction around Vrindavan has changed its landscape

2023.12.17 (Vrindavan Today News): With the surge of devotion for Thakur Banke Bihari Maharaj and temptation to visit Vrindavan during the weekends, the temple town of Vrindavan is struggling to sustain its age old traditions and preserving its landscape. It has already become a tourism hub. The government is also not leaving any stone unturned to make it a tourism destination.

Vrindavan has witnessed a staggering surge in property prices, mirroring the exponential growth in the devotee count flocking to the temple town of Vrindavan. As the aura of Shri Banke Bihari and other temples spread far and wide, the once serene landscapes of Vrindavan are now transforming into a concrete jungle, marked by escalating real estate values. Every house used to have a temple in Vrindavan and those temples had gardens, gaushalas and dharmashalas associated with them. But slowly with the surge in real estate those temples, dharmashalas and gaushalas are being sold off to the real estate mafias to transform them into the housings. Now widows, austere babajis, pilgrimage have become things of past.

The spiraling property rates have extended across a five kilometer radius, engulfing areas that were previously untouched by urbanization. Pilgrims, predominantly hailing from Delhi, Haryana, NCR, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, gravitate towards seeking blessings at the abode of Banke Bihari. This influx of visitors has prompted developers to initiate the construction of flats and colonies, aligning with the increasing demand for accommodations.

The price surge is staggering, with studio apartments reaching the daunting price tag of 50 lakhs near Chhatikara Road, while 3 BHK flats are soaring past the crore mark. Even in areas like Chaitanya Vihar and Rukmani Vihar, the trend persists, albeit slightly subdued. Nevertheless, prices for properties in these regions are witnessing a steady incline, making it financially burdensome for locals to invest in real estate.

The native of Vrindavan are very much concerned over the soaring property rates. It has posed challenge to the locals for affordable housings. Many of the locals have opted to buy land on Yamuna floodplain which is illegal.

The builders and developers entice the residents from the NCR, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan to foster a community of Brajwasis by buying property here, which has resulted in the rapid escalation of property prices.

Weekend pilgrims and attendees of special events related to Thakur Banke Bihari Maharaj are opting to purchase flats rather than seeking accommodation in guest houses or hotels, contributing to the surge in property investments. Investors, capitalizing on favorable price hikes, strike agreements and swiftly sell at premium rates,

Several inhabitants, foreseeing the impending surge in property prices, secured flats when the rates were more affordable. Now, they either reside there or lucratively lease these properties.

The unprecedented surge in property prices, fueled by the burgeoning pilgrim count, poses a significant challenge to the traditional local populace, hindering their ability to invest in the changing landscape of Vrindavan.