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The Vrindavan Research Institute (VRI) was founded by Dr. Ram Das Gupta on an auspicious occasion of Bihar Panchami (Prakatya diwas of Lord Thakur Shri Bankey Bihari Ji) 24th November, 1968. The VRI has successfully completed 55 years of its work since establishment.

The Primary aim of the institute is to save and preserve the Indian cultural heritage by collecting, preserving, studying and publishing the manuscripts and to demonstrate other archival material and artifacts of folk art and culture of India as general and of Braj as particular. The VRI is completely devoted to fulfill its aims and objects by research and bringing out publications on rare and unpublished manuscripts preserved in its library. The VRI works on folk cultural and traditional heritage of Braj also. The VRI organizes regularly, lectures, seminars, exhibitions on Indology, workshops on manuscript conservation and Braj music and other cultural programs to save our cultural heritage. More than 60 research based, literary and cultural publications have been brought out by the VRI so far. A quarterly literary magazine ‘Braj Salila’ is also published by the VRI. The institute has completed several research projects and is regularly engaged at present.

There is a rich collection of manuscripts on paper, palm leaf and bamboo leaf etc. including rare manuscripts in the field of Vaishnva Philosophy, Religious and Devotional Historical, Literature, Astrology, Ayurveda, Jyotish, Tantra etc. Together with these the Institute has collected Farmans and other documents a number of which include royal court edicts of immense importance. A Jain manuscript bears the earliest date V.S. 1460. The Palm leaf manuscripts have still earlier dates.

The VRI has a well developed conservation laboratory to preserve the manuscripts in which the experts provide respective treatment to the damage manuscripts with advanced technology.

The VRI has developed the Braj Culture Museum it its campus with the financial support of Ministry of Culture, Government of India and Department of Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh. Rare manuscripts on paper, palm leaf, bamboo leaf etc., miniature paintings, Farmans, Images, Coins and other artifacts related to Braj culture viz. musical instruments, apron of deities, the articles used by the vaishnavas etc. are displayed in respective galleries of the museum. Several low relief panels demonstrating religious history, festivals and other cultural aspects of Braj culture are also displayed with their introduction.

The details of funds allocation and Fund released to the VRI by the Ministry of Culture, Govt. India are as under:-