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Mathura

Birthplace of Lord Krishna

General Information
Common Name: -
Other Name: Brajbhoomi, District: Mathura, State: Uttar Pradesh, India
Area: 3800 Sq. Km.
Languages Spoken: Hindi, Braj, English
Long Distance Code: +91-565
Importance: Famous as the birth place of Lord Krishna
Best Time to Visit: October to March and During the month of July-August to witness the Janmashtami celebrations.
International Access: -

Description
Around 60 kms from Agra on the road to Delhi are the holy twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan. Associated with the birthplace of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, these twin cities are special pilgrimage centers and are thronged by devotees round the year. Situated on the bank of River Yamuna, Mathura is an ancient city known since ages. Although it is said to be the birthplace of the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna, the history of this place can be traced back to the period of Ashok and even before that. Mathura has a strategic location, which ensured it to be the important place for trade and commerce. The archaeological findings from this place take us back to 5th century B.C. when it became the eastern capital of the King Kanishka of the Kushan dynasty. During the Gupta and the Maurya dynasties, the art and culture of this place flourished and grew into an industry. It became a major place for trading and learning. Today all that remains of that history has been preserved in the museum and the town of Mathura has become famous for its temples. The whole area is known as the Braj Bhoomi, which includes the place where Lord Krishna was born, and also the places like Nandgaon, his foster father's village and Gokul where he stayed and played with his friends. Vrindavan is around 15 kms from Mathura is also associated with the life of Lord Krishna, and hence is important pilgrimage place. The ancient temples, the picturesque Ghats on the bank of River Yamuna, the invocating prayers and songs for the God and the Pedhas, sweets prepared of milk is what Mathura is famous for today
Location
The city of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, is located at a distance of 145 km south-east of Delhi and 58 km north-west of Agra. Covering an area of about 3,800 sq. km., today, Brajbhoomi can be divided into two distinct units - the eastern part in the trans-Yamuna tract with places like Gokul, Mahavan, Baldeo, Mat and Bajna and the western side of the Yamuna covering the Mathura region that encompasses Vrindavan, Govardhan, Kusum Sarovar, Barsana and Nandgaon. In a nutshell, the land of Braj starts from Kotban near Hodel about 95 km from Delhi and ends at Runakuta which is known specially for its association with the poet Surdas, an ardent Krishna devotee
Climate
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The Raslila dance

The Raslila dance performance of the Braj area is very famous. This traditional dance form is being performed for ages today. The dance steps are those which are unique to the place and the steps are taken in accordance with the folk songs that accompany them. Normally the Raslila dances are the folk tales and mythological stories based on the life of Krishna, his pranks and his youthful romance with the Gopis and Radharani. Till date the Raslila is performed with much vigour and enthusiasm in the area.

The Kaliya Ghat

This Ghat tells the story of Krishna's childhood who jumped into the river from this place to kill the serpent name Kaliya which was troubling the people of Gokul by poisoning the water.

The Government Museum

The Government museum is housed in a very beautifully carved buff stone building. Though the museum was opened in the late 19th century by a British, it was shifted to its present position in 1910. The museum has on display many artifacts those were discovered in Mathura itself. The artifacts range through a vast period of time from 5th century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. The sculptures and coins of the period belonging to the great Kushan dynasty and the Mauryan and Gupta era are on display in this museum. With the most impressive displayable objects, the museum provides perhaps the best material available for the study of Indian Art and Iconography. Probably no other Museum can boast of a better and a more varied collection of archeological material from one single region.

Dwarkadheesh temple

This ancient temple is supposed to be the principal temple of Mathura. Built in 1814 by the treasurer of the Gwalior princely state, Seth Gokuldas Parikh, it has a beautiful idol of the Lord. This is also the most visited temple of Mathura.

ISCKON temple

This temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and his elder brother Balaram is structure in pure white build by the followers of the Hare Ram, Hare Krishna group in 1975. One of the most beautiful temples of the sect, this one in Vrindavan is very clean and has beautiful idols of the two deities.

Jugal Kishore temple

One of the oldest remaining structures in the area is the Jugal Kishore temple. This temple was built along with four others. It was built in 1627 A.D. but the permission was granted by Emperor Akbar in his visit to the place. The other temples build along with this were the Radharaman temple, the Govindji temple and the Gopinath temple. Most of these temples have lost their old structure in some attack or the original idol has been smuggled away to save it from the wrath. Therefore it is only the Jugal Kishore temple which still stands in the same place and with the original structure and the deity and hence it is considered to be most important one.

The Vishram Ghat

According to mythology, Lord Krishna killed his maternal uncle Kansa in Mathura when he was still a young boy. Kansa was an evil man who has imprisoned Krishna's parents and grandfather and would torture his subjects. After killing the evil man Krishna came and rested at this place on the bank of River Yamuna. So this place is called as the Vishram Ghat or he place to rest.

Pilgrim Tour North India & Orissa
(17 Days / 16 Nights)

On Request

Details

Pilgrim Tour North India & Orissa / PI-0373 (17 Days / 16 Nights)
Delhi-Bhubaneshwar-Puri-Bhubaneshwar-Kolkata-Patna-Delhi-Mathura-Delhi-Rishikesh-Haridwar-Delhi

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi - Bhubaneshwar
Day 3 : Bhubaneshwar - Puri
Day 4 : Puri - Bhubaneshwar
Day 5 : Bhubaneshwar - Kolkata
Day 6 : Kolkata
Day 7 : Kolkata
Day 8 : Kolkata - Patna
Day 9 : Patna
Day 10 : Patna
Day 11 : Patna - Delhi
Day 12 : Delhi - Mathura
Day 13 : Mathura - Delhi
Day 14 : Delhi-Rishikesh
Day 15 : Rishikesh - Haridwar
Day 16 : Haridwar - Delhi
Day 17 : Delhi

Mathura, India Tours