History, Culture, Festival Celebration, Best Places to Visit and Travel Guide of Mathura, Major Pilgrimage Destination of Uttar Pradesh, India
Mathura, one of the seven holy city of Hinduism and birth place of Lord Shri Krishna is major pilgrimage destination of Uttar Pradesh, India. Ancient sacred city of Mathura served as the district headquarter of Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. Being a one of the Sapt Puri of India, Mathura witnesses millions of devotee and tourist flocked here across the year and especially during the Janmashtami and Holi. Mathura is located on bank of holy River Yamuna at just 14 km away from Vrindavan, thus also famed as Mathura Vrindavan twin city. Devotee takes holy dip in Yamuna River where more than 20 Ghat are located.
There are several ancient temple as well as newly built temples are located in Mathura and nearby area. Out of this Shri Krishna Janmbhumi is most famous place where it is believed that Lord Krishna was born in prison. Dwarkadhish Temple, Gita Mandir, Radha Kund, Vishram Ghat etc. are other popular pilgrimage site located in Mathura.
Along with Mathura you must visit nearby places in Vrindavan, Gokul, Barsana, Jatipura, Nandgaon, Govardhan hill etc. which are located in just 50 km area. Important must visit temples are Prem Mandir, Banke Bihari Mandir, Govind Devji Temple, Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Krishna Balaram Temple, Nidhivan, various Ashram etc.
While you walk in the small street of Mathura, you can feel the spiritual aura and hear the chanting of Radhe Radhe. The People of Mathura are known as “Brajwasis”. Each festival is celebrated here with great joy. Pilgrims across the world reaches here to perform various rituals and custom here.
History of Mathura has been founded from the time of Tretayuga, It is mentioned in the great Indian Epic of Ramayana when Shatrughna had killed the demon Lavanasura free up the land from his cruelty. Then region came to be known as Madhuvan, then Madhupura and later famous as Mathura. Then during the Dwapar Yuga, Lord Shri Krishna was born here in Mathura and free up region from the torture of demon king Kans. Mathura became the capital of the Surasena Kingdom during the 6th century BCE. The city was later ruled by the Maurya Empire during 4th to 2nd centuries BCE. Then several different ruler from several dynasty had setup their kingdom. You can also find the Buddhist and Jain influence here also during several rule. Before the muslim invasion there were lots of ancient temple, holy place built in surrounding region of Mathura. But after the 10th century Mathura sacked up many times by muslim attacks, they destroy ancient temples, scriputer and attack on culture of Mathura. Aurangzeb had built the Shahi-Eidgah Mosque beside theShri Krishna Janmabhoomi place.
Janmashtami is the most important festival celebrated here with great zeal and millions of devotee across the world visits here. Holi is the festival celebrated here with full of joy in all the temples and in entire city. Holi celebration of this region is world famous and thousands of devotee across the world visits here to take part in Holi celebration. Diwali, Radha Ashtami, Basant Panchami are other important festival celebrated here.
Devotee across the world visits here throughout the year but best time to visit is during winter from October to March, as summer is quite hot here.
This is how Braj Bhoomi which mainly includes the Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Barsana, Gokul, Jatipura and Nandgaon are the places where Lord Shri Krishna, the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu and most beloved God in India did lots and lots of Lila here. Even after more than 5250 years, here Lord Krishna lives in every person and animal and every life of Braj Bhoomi. Thus in entire region you can see Krishna everywhere which showcase the highly spiritual significant of Lord Krishna here in Braj Bhoomi.
How to Reach Mathura, The Birth Place of Lord Krishna, Uttar Pradesh, India
Mathura being one of the major pilgrimage center, one of the Sapt Puri of Hinduism and tourist destination, of Uttar Pradesh where people across the world visits around the year. It is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Mathura has major railway junction from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Agra Airport and Delhi Airport are the nearest airport at distance of 60 and 170 respectively from Mathura. From where you can get flight to all major cities of India and across the globe. You can find private taxi and public transport as well from both airport to reach to Mathura. It is located at just 14 km from Vrindava, 10 km from Gokul, 48 km from Barsana, 25 km from Jatipura, 26 km from Govardhan hill, 58 km from Agra, 180 km from Delhi. You can get direct buses from Agra, Delhi etc. to reach Mathura.
Taluka / Tehsil: Mathura, District: Mathura, State: uttar-pradesh, Country: india.
Religious Importance: Hindu
