UHC - 04

CASE STUDY – HRIDAY

Submitted By :
• Palak shah
• Mira Patel
• Aashka Shah
• Utkarsh Suthar
MATHURA

Area : 3329.4 Sq. Km

Population : 3,49,909
Administrative Division : Agra
Tehsils : Mathura (District HQ), Chata,
Mahavan & Mat
Nearest Railway Station : Mathura Junction
Nearest Airport : Kheria (Agra) – 61.7 km
Features
• Mathura is believed to be the third oldest living city of the world, after Kashi(Varanasi) and Rome.
• It is the administrative centre of Uttar Pradesh
• Mathura is reputed to be the birthplace of Krishna at the centre of Braj, called Krishn Janm Bhumi.
• Vrindavan, Barsana, Goverdhan and Nandgaon are the other places of pilgrimage in the Mathura
district Other important places in Mathura District
Vrindavan

Krishn Bhumi Barsana

Goverdhan
History

The timeline below shows the history of the Mathura city in a

timeline form

Physiography & Climate

The average annual rainfall of the District is around 800 mm. 85% of this is received during the South-west
monsoon period; the rest is received during winter. As in the most other districts of northern India, the summers
are dry and hot whereas the winters are cool. Winds are generally light and are mainly from the south-west to the
north-east direction. During the monsoons, the wind directions are from north-east to south-east.
Regional Settings

The map on the right shows the regional linkages of the

Mathura city with its neighbouring cities by roads and rails.

And the other map shows the Administrative boundaries of

District, Tehsils, Blocks and major headquarters of the same
and the River Yamuna flowing through the city.

Tourist Footfall

Cultural heritage and tourism is the crucial sector for

Mathura city and its future. Mathura is famous for its
religious/cultural, archaeological, historical and architectural
heritage. There are many festivals and fairs here throughout
the year. Once in Mathura, tourists visit Vrindavan and
Goverdhan as pilgrims.
On several auspicious days, the daily floating population
could exceed 10 lakhs.
Tourism Infrastructure

There are 120 hotels, guest houses and dharamshalas listed

by the Nagar Palika Parishad. There are more than 100 listed
dharamshalas in the city area. The NPP identifies 15 public
toilets as operational and 13 as in dilapidated or disputed
Appraisal of Tangible Assets

177 tangible assets have been identified

within the city limits of Mathura. Majority of
these assets are religious in nature or derive
their purpose religious tourism. 102 assets
have been identified as religious: these
include temples, mosques and churches. 27 of
these are Ghats along the river Yamuna. Other
assets include dharamshalas, Kunds and Tila
(mounds).
Tangible assets were identified as per listings
from the city development plan.
Archaeological survey of India, State
Archaeology Department, INTACH and Tourism
department. Further additions were made as
per stakeholder listing and primary ground
surveys. Identified on the basis of following:

• Resource Category and its Importance

• Historical and mythological significance
• Architectural description and special
features
• Ownership, location and proximity to
other important areas
• State of preservation and threats if any
• Value classification and grading
Typology of Tangible Assets List Of Temple And Other Religious Places

• Tilas or Mounds
• Temples & Other Religious
• Kunds
• Ghats
• Havelis & Dharamshalas
 Festivals
Appraisal of Intangible Assets

The intangible assets of Mathura are same as that of

the Braj region. The intangible assets are art, dance
and , music and festival celebration. Religion is also
reflected in the above arts.
Parikramas of Mathura are also a part of its cultural
heritage. There are two parikramas:
• Inner parikrama
• Outer parikrama : 11 km going through 20 temples Art, Dance & Music
• 84 kos parikrama

Cuisine
Prioritization of Areas

Zones

Zone 1 – Krishna Janmbhumi Precinct

Zone 2 – Chatta Bazaar
Zone 3 – Vishram Ghat
Zone 4 – Shivtal Kund Precinct
Zone 5 – Chowks (Masani, Bharatpur Gate, Bhuteshwar. S.B.I)
Zone 6 – Vrindavan Parikrama

Concentration of Heritage Structures Value Classification Grade Assessment

HRIDAY ZONE 1

KRISHNA JANBHUMI PRECINCT

This has historically been the prime

purpose of pilgrims to visit the Mathura
city.

List of structures in Krishna Janmbhumi

area and their grade:
• Krishna Janmbhumi Temple I
• Idgah Mosque I*
• Potra Kund I*
• Keshav Mahadev Temple II
• Deeg Gate Police Station III
• Hanuman Temple III
• Temple (behind Potra Kund) IIII

The Parikrama Marg passes through the

Potra Kund and the Keshav Mahadev
temple locates behind the Krishna
Janmbhumi area which significantly
increases the cultural value.

Need for Planning Intervention :

Due to its large tourist influx physical
infrastructure falls inadequately short .
Site requires professional crowd
management to avoid damage to historic
properties due to undue exposure.
HRIDAY ZONE 2

CHATTA BAZAAR

This stretch has the maximum

concentration of heritage structures in
Mathura.
It incudes Havelis, Kothis and Temples.
Entrance to the market itself is marked by
an imposing gate colloquially known as
Holi gate or Tilak Dwar.
Active shopping center, 48 heritage
structures were identified here.

Need for Planning Intervention :

It houses the second most important sites
related to Lord Krishna. Narrow streets is
unable to provide the tourist amenities. It
needs detailed intervention of physical
infrastructure upgradation, addition to
tourist amenitiesand formal guidelined
and historic building conservation and
controlled new development.
HRIDAY ZONE 3

VISHRAM GHAT

Focal point out of 25 Ghats in the city.

Apart from bathing are marked by the
steps leading to the Yamuna, temples
dedicated to Yamuna and Krishna are
located on the Ghat.
It is the important center of celebration of
the festival of Yamdwitya.

Need for Planning Intervention :

Most intrinsic components of the city and

is the focal point of all ghat activities.
Large number of pilgrim influx because as
it is the staring point of parikrama. Lack of
physical infrastructure like open drains
leading into the river, missing tourist
amenities and apathy towards the upkeep
of heritage structures and ghats needs to
be addressed.
HRIDAY ZONE 4

SHIV TAL KUND

This Kund has been mentioned as the only

kund that is naturally suppled with water.
On the west of the kund is residential
structures which are built in similar style
as the kund, in pink sandstone and
decorated with floral patterns. To the
North is a small settlement as old as the
Kund.

Need for Planning Intervention :

With the Kund and its physical structures
lying in a state of disrepair. Apathy towards
heritage structure, lack of amenities,
tourist facilities and low level physical
infrastructure leads to the requirement of
developing a sustainable conservation
program. The program should be built
round developing its approach through the
development of heritage railway station
between mathura-vrindavan.
HRIDAY ZONE 5

CHOWKS

The city is characterized by 4 kshetrapalas

and the four temples represent
associational and cultural significance
being a part of the larger Mathura
Parikrama.

Need for Planning Intervention :

As Mathura is designed with four Dwarpals
at four corners of 4 directions a chowk has
further developed as urban expansion
took place.

As entry points are the first impression points of the

city. It is imperative to develop planning interventions
to redevelop the four main chowks as entry points of
Mathura.
Rampant development on edges of the chowks, no
clear identity, lack of street furniture, inadequate
physical infrastructure requires the development of
defined planning principles and parameters for its
character enhancement.
Existing & Proposal of Hriday Zone -1
HRIDAY ZONE 6

VRINDAVAN PARIKRAMA

Vrindavan is the epicentre of a larger region called Braj which was established in the late 15thcentury. This region.
spread over an area of 2500 kms, which includes hundreds of sites associated with Krishna mythology was
proclaimed as a pilgrimage landscape. Vrindavan gained popularity as a site of Krishna devotion due to the work of
its founding gurus, called Goswamis. who built grand temples and charted the ritual framework of Krishna worship.
Over time, four important sects emerged and their lineages continue to be the hereditary custodians of most
temples. In addition, there ore several hundred religious establishments built over the last five centuries and
natural elements including Yamuna river. the sacred groves, and hillocks that constitute the pilgrimage landscape of
Vrindavan and attract hordes of visitors. A journey through this landscape is the most virtuous form of pilgrimage
travel.
Existing & Proposal of Hriday Zone -2
Existing & Proposal of Hriday Zone -6
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