It was a truly memorable day at Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir as Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Mathura Constituency and celebrated artist Smt. Hema Malini Ji joined the Braj Heritage Fest 2026 Prize Distribution Ceremony, celebrating the creativity, enthusiasm and cultural spirit of thousands of young participants from across Braj.

Smt. Hema Malini Ji began her visit with darshan at Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, followed by her participation in the ceremonial lamp lighting and felicitation ceremony at Braj Nidhi Hall. She was warmly welcomed by Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa, President, Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir and Heritage Tower, along with members and well-wishers of the initiative.

During the ceremony, Smt. Hema Malini Ji addressed the young participants and encouraged them to dream big, pursue their talents and aspirations, while remaining deeply connected to their roots, culture and heritage. She also interacted warmly with the children and presented prizes to the winners of various competitions, making the occasion especially meaningful for the young achievers.

The Braj Heritage Fest, an initiative of Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir and Heritage Tower, has been inspiring children for over a decade by providing them a platform to discover, express and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Braj. Held during the Janmashtami season, the fest brings together schools, students, teachers and families through a diverse range of cultural competitions and activities.

This year, the festival witnessed the participation of more than 7,000 children from 45+ schools across Braj, competing in 25+ competitions spanning dance, music, art, literature and other forms of cultural expression. Through their performances and creative expressions, the children brought alive the timeless traditions, stories, artistic heritage and devotional spirit of Braj.

Speaking to the young generation, Smt. Hema Malini Ji emphasized the importance of nurturing one's dreams while staying connected to India's rich cultural roots. Her words served as an encouragement to the children to carry their heritage forward with confidence and pride.

Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa also highlighted the responsibility of nurturing India's artistic and cultural traditions among the younger generation. He spoke about the importance of encouraging the highest forms of creativity in the glorification of Sri Krishna, whose life, teachings and pastimes remain at the heart of Braj's spiritual and cultural heritage.

The prize distribution ceremony was not merely a celebration of achievement, but also a celebration of the connection between generations — where the heritage of Braj is experienced by one generation, expressed by the next, and carried forward into the future.