Vrindavan, Jan 4 (IANS): Celebrating the advent of Chaitnya Mahaprabhu and the 500th year of the discovery of Vrindavan and other shrines associated with Sri Krishna and his consort Radha, pilgrims and ascetics from West Bengal have demanded a daily train from Kolkata to the holy town of Mathura.

In a memorandum to the railway minister the Chaitnya Mahaprabhu followers have requested the development of the Vrindavan Road railway station.

A daily train from Bengal would be a great help as a large number of people come from Bengal, Manipur and other north-eastern states. A direct train connection will facilitate journey from these areas to Sri Krishna land, said Jagan Nath Poddar, a local social activist.

A series of programmes were held to mark the 500th year of the arrival of Chaitnya Mahaprabhu to Vrindavan, including a visit by the president.

"Each day hundreds of pilgrims visit Braj area from Bengal. This tradition has been continuing for a very long time. Vrindavan also provides shelter to a large number of widows from Bengal," according to Acharya Jaimini of Vrindavan.