The land where Shri Krishna was born and spent his youth, has today little towns and hamlets that are still alive with the Krishna legend and still redolent with the music of his flute. Mathura, a little town on the River Yamuna was transformed into a place of faith after Lord Krishna was born here. Vrindavan, a village - once noted for its fragrant groves, is where he spent an eventful youth. There are numerous other little spots in the area that still reverberate with the enchantment of Shri Krishna.
City of Mathura
The City of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, the nucleus of Brajbhoomi, 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.
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.
Shri Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born in the Dwapara Yuga as the eighth son of the Yadava prince Vasudev and his wife Devaki. To save him from the murderous intentions of his maternal uncle Kansa, the ruler of Mathura, the infant Krishna was spirited away soon after birth to Gokul, the village of the gopas (cowherds) in Braj (their pastureland). It was here that he grew to manhood, in the tender care of his foster parents Nand and Yashoda in the happy company of the cowherds.
City of Vrindavan
15 Km. north of Mathura on the same bank of Yamuna, lies the celebrated town of Vrindavan, almost as closely associated with Krishna as Mathura itself. Indeed one hardly speak of Vrindavan alone to; the devout Hindu.
Mathura-Vrindavan can not a unified image of untold beauty and religious sanctify. What is comparatively a matter of detail is that Vrindavan is believed to have been the stage on which Krishna performed his famous romantic and sportive roles. Unlike busy Mathura. Vrindavan seems perpetually to be dreaming and imaginatively, re-living its romantic past.
There are hundred of shrines in the town, as also numerous ghats and several sacred tanks, of which one called Brahama kund and another named Govinda kund are the most highly venerated. The most famous as well as the finest temple in Vrindavan is that of Govinda Deva, dating from 1590. It is a huge, Cruciform, Vaulted building of red sandstone with a nave 30Mt(100Ft.) in height and breadth the wall is 3 Mt.(10Ft.) thick on an average and is built in two stage. The upper being a regular triforium.
Mathura Temple
Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple is the most sought after devout centers in Mathura. Its predominance over the other holy spots are due to the belief that the temple stands on the same place where lord Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudev. Numerous articles excavated from the site bare testimony to the legendary story of Sri Krishna’a birth. These artifacts are displayed in a museum near to the main temple. One can find so many small shrines of other gods and goddess in the temple premises. This temple complex presents a magnificent and colossal structure that happens to be the most familiar place of the Hindu adulation.
There would not be such other temples like this in anywhere in India that has been undergone so many destructive activities of Muslim Invaders. The present temple dates back to the 10th century. Its popularity reflects in the long queue of the pilgrims who stands there for hours to have a holy darshan of their beloved lord.
The temple is open for adoration between 7 am to 8 pm in all days. Since the temple shares a common wall with a mosque the pilgrims have to undergo a tight security check up and it is to, be borne in mind that cell phones are not permitted in the temple premises. There is a cloak room to safeguard these things by chargeable basis. You can handover your valuable camera, cellphone and electronic items here and enter the temple premises.There is a old pond (kund) is there near this temple. The water in the pond is very dirty and in summer there will be no water. But the architecture of the steps and small rooms in this pond is very good.
What to see in Mathura
SHRI KRISHNA JANMA BHUMI :The Birth Place of Lord KrishnaJAMA MASJID : Built by Abo-inNabir-Khan in 1661.A.D. the mosque has 4 lofty minarets, with bright colored plaster mosaic of which a few panels currently exist.
VISHRAM GHAT : The sacred spot where Lord Krishna is believed to have rested after slaying the tyrant Kansa.
[caption id="attachment_231" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Krishna Statue in Janmaboomi Temple"]
[/caption]DWARKADHEESH TEMPLE : Built in 1814, it is the main temple in the town. During the festive days of Holi, Janmashthami and Diwali, it is decorated on a grandiose scale.
GITA MANDIR : Situated on the city outskirts, the temple carving and painting are a major attraction.
GOVT. MESEUM : Located at Dampier Park, it has one of the finest collection of archaeological interest. Rare items from the Gupta and Kushan period (400 B.C.-1200A.D.) are on display. Major attraction for tourists.
About Vrindavan -
It is understood that Mathura City is the transcendental abode of Lord Krishna. It is not an ordinary material city, for it is eternally connected with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vrindavan is within the jurisdiction of Mathura and still continues to exist. Because Mathura and Vrindavan are intimately connected with Krishna eternally, it is said that Lord Krishna never leaves Vrindavan (vrindavanam parityajya padam ekam na gacchati). At present the place known as Vrindavana in the district of Mathura, continues its position as a transcendental place and certainly anyone who goes there becomes transcendentally purified.
What to see in Vrindavan
GOVINDA DEV TEMPLE : Built by Raja Man singh of Jaipur in 1590, The temple is a testimony of the architectural splendour of medieval India. The temple walls average 10 ft. thickness. The upper state is regular triforium. Originally seven stories high, it's upper four stories were destroyed during the reign of Aurangzeb. The Krishna idol was then removed to Jaipur.
SHAHJI TEMPLE : It was constructed in the year 1860. It is a prominent temple of northern India. It is famous for it's explendid art architecture , sculpture and twelve single piece spiral colemns made up of marble approx 15'high. The world famous BASANTI KAMRA is situated in the eastern wing of this temple. This room has spectacular ancient chandelies and rare paintings are available.
RANG JI TEMPLE : Vrindavan's longest temple, it was constructed in 1851 by Seth Govind Das ji & Seth Laxmi Chand Ji. All were desciples of Acharyavarya Rangdeshie Swami where as the main gate is in Rajput style , The temple follows South Indian architectural pattern . The outer wall measure 773 Ft. and encompass a water tank , a garden and the actual temple . The "Dhweja Stambha " , 50 ft. tall , is believed to be gold plated .
MADAN MOHAN TEMPLE : Situated near Kali ghat , it is believed to have been built by Kapur Ram Das of Multan. The original Image of Madan Mohan was removed to Karauli during the regin of Aurangzeb .
KRISHNA BALRAM MANDIR (ISKCON VRINDAVAN ) : This is built by a International krishna spiritual organisation ISKCON. Thousands of pilgrims and International tourists visited Vrindavan centre which is having beautiful temple of Lord Krishna .
RADHA BALLABH TEMPLE : Built in 1626 this temple is of special architectural interest as remnant of ancient hindu architecture . The Shrine was demolished in the 17th century and the huge structure only the plinth remains.
GOPI NATH TEMPLE : closely resembling the Madan Mohan mandir in style and dimension, it was built by Rai Shilji, a Sekhavat Rajput of Jaipur .
GLASS TEMPLE : Its marvelous art of glass work dazzles the pilgrim's eyes.
NIDHI VAN : Radhika's Kridasthali, the playground of Krishna's consort, it is a place of Hindu veneration. The image of Bihariji was discovered by Swami Haridas Ji.
SEVA KUNJ : Krishna's Vihar Bhoomi, it was sanctified for centuries ago by Radha Ballabhiya Samaradayachery Shri Goswami Hit Hari Vanshji.
BANKE BIHARI : One of the oldest temple, it was rebuilt in 1921 discpieles of Haridas Swami who got the idol of Bankey Bihari from Nidhi Van.
KUSM SAROVAR : About two miles from the town, is the boarder of Radha Kund which have significant architectural group erected by T. Sing in honor of his father, Suraj Mal, the cenotaph of Suraj Mal which stand on Kusum Sarovar, present in a fine view.
Lord Krishna Related places near Mathura
GOVERDHAN - 26 Km from Mathura along the road to Deeg. It is named after the name of the Goverdhan Hillock" which is said to have raised on the finger and was was put in the condition to save the people from the incessant rain which fell constantly for seven days to destroy the people of Brij. The hillock is 7 Miles in length. The temple of Har Deva Ji in Goverdhan town is 400 Yrs old. The Mansi Ganga which is an artificial lake, was constructed my Man Singh of Jaipur. The dense shady trees the hill ranges and tranquil flow of Mansi Ganga all unite together and make a charming view which the visitor can never forget.
BARSANA - 21 Kms. to the north of Goverdhan is Barsana the birth place of Radha a favourite devotee of Lord Krishna. It is a famous place for pilgrimage with a regular bus service from Mathura to Barsana Via Kosi & Goverdhan.
Barsana originally known as Brahmasaran lies on a slope of ridge. The four prominent peaks of the hill are regarded as amblematic of the four-faced divinity and are crowned by a group temple is honor of Lali Ji a local title of Radha meaning 'the beloved' There is second hill in Barsana and the path between these two is known as Sankhi Khue. A fair is held in the month of Bhadon (August-September).
NANDGAON - AT the foot of a hill 51 Kms. north-east of Mathura is situated the venerable village of Nandgaon. It is known as the home of Lord Krishna's foster father Nand, in whose memory a spacious temple stand on the brow of the hill. Probably built in the middle of the 12'th century by one Rup Singh, It consist of an open nave with choir and sacrarium beyond. Standing in the center of a paved courtyard, it is surrounded by a lofty wall which commands an extensive view of the Bharatpur hill and the level expanse of Mathura District as far as Goverdhan.
GOKUL - About 15 Kms. of the south-east of Mathura connected by a metalled road is Gokul, a suburb of the inland town of Mahavan on the bank of the river Yamuna. Gukul is a celebrated spot where Lord Krishna was reared in secrecy by his nurse. This place is very scared and is visited by thousand of pilgrims particularly during the birth anniversary of the Lord Krishna in july-august and the time of Annakut festival. Gokul is also associated with the famous saint Vallabhacharya who lived here for many years. The most important temple is that of Gokul Nath Ji. The principal meals are Janma in Bhadon and Annkut on the day after the new Moon of kartik. The "Trinavat Mela" is also held on the fourth day of the dark half of kartik.
HOW TO REACH MATHURA :-
By AirDelhi International airport is the nearest one, which is 150 km away from Mathura. Delhi airport is well connected with major cities within the country and abroad. Taxis are available from Delhi and it takes about 6 hours to reach Mathura.
By Train
Mathura Railway junction is an important rail head in the Mumbai – Delhi, Chennai – Delhi rail route. Pre-paid taxi services are available from Mathura to near by destinations. Regular train services are available from Mathura to Delhi and also to other cities in India.
By Road
Mathura is well connected with nearby cities like Agra, Faizabad and Allahabad by state owned road transport corporation buses. Tourist Deluxe bus services are available from Delhi to Mathura.
Best Season to Visit
Mathura has quite extreme climatic conditions and experiences severe cold and hot climates.
Summers (March to June) are very hot with maximum reaching the scorching temperature of 45 °C and minimum is above 30 °C. Typically travelers avoid the hot summer days of April to June.
Monsoons (July to September) offer good showers and the place looks beautiful with greenery and flowers.
Winters (December to February) are very cold; still it is quite comfortable during the day as the maximum temperature reaches to 32 °C and nights are bit cool with temperature goes down to below 14 °C.
Best Season to visit Mathura is from October to March. Temperature will be moderate in this season.
Distance from Nearby cities to Mathura | |
| From | Distance |
| Agra | 50 km |
| Delhi | 147 km |
| Jaipur | 218 km |
| Kanpur | 311 km |
| Indore | 341 km |
| Lucknow | 384 km |
| Chandigarh | 406 km |
| Bhopal | 560 km |
| Patna | 869 km |
| Nagpur | 949 km |
| Ahmedabad | 952 km |
Trains Passing through MATHURA JN, MTJ |
* DAYS OF RUN ARE ON THE BASIS OF TRAIN'S STARTING STATION. |
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