Vrindavan (UP) : It was compared to Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi march - only, the cause is different. A 41-day march of 5,000 people was aimed at protecting the cultural heritage and environment of Lord Krishna's Braj Bhoomi. Environmentalists, devotees and people from all walks of life from across the country took part in the 'Radha Rani Braj Yatra' - walk across the Braj region to create awareness among villagers on protecting and conserving the forests, hillocks, rivers and ponds. Motivated by Braj Rakshak Dal, an NGO, the particpants walked over 10 kms daily. The yatra began at Gahvarvan in Mathura on October 26, 2004 and ended at the same place on December 5, 2004.

This unique journey began 15 years back with about 150 people. As its fame spread, the numbers began rising. Religious guru Ramesh Baba, the spirit behind the yatra, describes it as "a vehicle for cultural awakening". All along the route, devotional songs are sung on folk notes to attract villagers. Baba heads Maan Mandir Sewa Sansthan Trust, which manages a popular Radha-Krishna temple in Barsana.

'This yatra has instilled confidence and given hope to the youth of this region besides sensitising them about their culture and environment. It was a result of this awakening that we came forward to form the Braj Rakshak Dal and asociated ourselves with Ramesh Baba's yatra," said Vineet Narain, the receiver of the famous Banke Bihari temple here.

Narain, also the president of the Braj Rakshak Dal, added,"The yatra traverses some of the unexplored and unknown places of Braj which are rarely visited by devotees and tourists. it is our attempt to restore the Braj area to its original grandeur."

Ramesh Baba is using the Bhagawatham to educate the villagers about their natural surroundings which attract lakhs of devotees, including foreigners, every year.

The Bhagwatham, according to him, mentions about thousands of 'kunds' (temple ponds) in the area, something even the locals are unaware of. "We are trying to relocate and restore as many as we can," he said. Besides, it is also a bid to drum into public conscience the need to increase forest cover.

And for those who participated, it was an experience that will stay with them for long. For instance, Saroj Dhingra, a housewife from Delhi, said the walk was a way of being part of a spiritual experience.