Mathura, Sept. 4 -- Amid chants and Janmashtami celebrations, chief minister Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi here on Friday and said Mathura and Vrindavan would be developed along the lines of Ayodhya and Kashi to make temple visits easier for devotees.

It was Yogi's 20th visit to Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi as chief minister. Addressing devotees after offering prayers during his two-day visit to Mathura and Vrindavan, he said the Uttar Pradesh government was working to create grand temple premises in the Braj region while preserving its spiritual character.

Taking a swipe at previous governments, Yogi said those in power earlier had avoided visiting Janmabhoomi on Janmashtami because they were concerned about the...