Lucknow, October 28: The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday notified Mathura and neighbouring Barsana as “pavitra teerth sthal” (sacred pilgrimage sites). It added the liquor and meat shops will be banned with immediate effect in the area. Also Read - UP Shocker: Mathura Doctor Gives 15 of His Own Samples To Complete Covid-19 Testing Target | Watch

An official statement issued by the government stated, “Vrindavan area in Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and his elder brother Balram and is a world-famous site. 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.” Also Read - BJP's Hema Malini Wants UP's Mathura to be Included in NCR, Says It Will Boost International Tourism

Principal Secretary (Religious Affairs) Avinish Kumar Awasthi said such an order was earlier issued for Hardwar before the state was bifurcated. “from now, meat and liquor shops will be prohibited in these notified areas…. Vrindavan and Barsana are the first two places to be notified as teerth sthal in government records,” The Indian Express quoted Singh as saying. Also Read - DO NOT Forget to Check These Things While Buying Meat

This apart, the departments of urban development, excise, food and drug administration, general administration were directed to implement the orders in next three months. The state government merged Vrindavan nagar panchayat with Mathura municipal board to create Mathura municipal corporation. However, many people see the move to woo the voters ahead of municipal polls next month.