The Uttar Pradesh government today declared Vrindavan Nagar Palika Parishad and Barsana Nagar Panchayat in Mathura district as "pavitra tirth sthal" (holy pilgrim place).
The declaration was made at the eleventh hour as the State Election Commission announced civic polls in three phases from November 22.
"Vrindavan area in Mathura is the birth place of Lord Krishna and his elder brother Balram, and is world famous. Barsana is Radha's birthplace. Lakhs of tourists visit these places to pay obeisance. Keeping in mind their importance and in view of tourism, these are declared as holy pilgrimage places," an official release issued here said.
Special attention will be paid to these areas for development of facilities for locals and tourists, it said.
Mathura-Vrindavan Nagar Nigam was constituted recently along with Ayodhya Nagar Nigam.
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