ABOUT MATHURA

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Mathura is full of stories of Krishna, 
his birth and the part of his life he 
spent there with radha Rani. There was 
a king named Ugrasena ruled over Mathura. 
Once Ugrasena and his wife were taking a 
walk in the gardens when a demon saw the 
queen and fell in love with her. In his 
lust for her he diverted Ugrasena,assumed 
his form and the child born of this union 
was Kansa. Kansa grew up to dethrone his 
father and imprison his cousin, Devaki. 
While driving Devaki and her husband Vas
_udeva in his chariot,Kansa heard a voice 
in the sky telling him that he way carrying 
a woman whose eighth child would kill him. 
Kansa immediately prepared to till Devaki. 
But Vasudeva intervened and begged for her 
life with the promise that they would hand 
over all their children to him soon after 
their birth. So Kansa imprisoned them and 
killed seven children.


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 
long line of picturesque ghats - with their steps 
leading to the water's edge, arched gateways and 
temple spires extending along the right bank of 
the River Yamuna, emphasise the sacred character 
of the town of Mathura. The birth place of Lord 
Krishna, "the best known, best loved and most 
complex of Lord Vishnu's manifestations" : 
Mathura is today an important place of pilgrimage
Before the advent of Buddha the territory that 
Mathura is located in was called Surasena. In 
Buddhist literature Mathura is called Madhura. 
It was also known as Mathera. Mathura was a pros
_perous city and the capital of a large territory. 
A Buddhist center was established in Mathura during 
the reign of the Mauryas dynasty.This center existed 
for a few centuries. Emperor Ashoka made many 
Buddha stupas in Mathura on the bank of the 
Yamuna. Emperor Kaniska in the first century 
BC and his successors constructed many Buddhist 
stupas and chaityas.
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 parit
_yajya padam ekam na gacchati). At present the place known 
as Vrindavana in the district of Mathura, continues its pos
_ition as a transcendental place and certainly anyone who 
goes there becomes transcendentally purified.


"We must understand the transcendental importance of Mathura,
Vrindavana and Navadvipa dhamas. Anyone who executes devotional 
service in these places certainly goes back home, back to 
Godhead after giving up his body.
"Whenever the Supreme Personality appears, He appears in Mathura 
because of His intimate connection with this place. Therefore, 
although Mathura and Vrindavana are situated on this planet earth, 
they are transcendental abodes of the Lord."
At this time Mathura was the largest city in North 
India and was the capital city for the area for 
administration. During these times the present 
town of Vrindavana was just dense forests without 
any people living there. In the beginning of the 
5th century AD the Chinese traveler Fahien saw 
twenty viharas (Buddhist monasteries) and three 
thousand Buddhist priests living in Mathura. By 
the middle of the 6th century AD Buddhism started 
to decline in the Mathura area. Many Buddhist relics 
have been found in the Mathura area. Many of which are 
found in the museums in Mathura, Calcutta and Lucknow. 
There is not much known about the period between 700 AD 
and 1018. Mahmud Ghazni invaded Mathura in 1018. 
He stole all the riches of the Deities, their jewels, 
diamonds, gold and silver. He then destroyed the temples. 
It took his men 20 days to plunder the city. 
He took 5,000 prisoners and took over 30 million rupees

Location of Mathura is just 56 km from Agra. It is situated 
on the banks of the river Yamuna. The land area of Mathura 
is approximately 9.37 sq km. It is located at an altitude of 
287 meters above sea level. The population ofMathura is appr
_oximately 2,98,827. Brajbhasi and Hindi are the main languages 
of the people of Mathura. Hinduism is the dominant religion, 
followed by Islam. 


The history of Mathura dates back to the ancient times. Mathura 
is the birthplace of Lord Krishna, who is considered to be the 
re incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Mathura and Vrindavan along with 
its surrounding areas are associated with the childhood memories 
of Lord Krishna. Mathura was a part of the Mauryan empire. During 
the reign of King Ashoka, Mathura was the seat of Buddhism and was 
an important center of arts. After the decline of the Mauryan empire, 
the influence of Hinduism spread its roots far and wide. 

The climate of Mathura is tropical extreme with very hot summers 
and chilly, cold and foggy winters. The best season to visit Mathura 
is between October and March. Weather is pleasant and comfortable 
during this period. Tourists are advised to carry comfortable cotton 
clothing during the summers and warm woolens for the winter. 
This historic and spiritual destination has numerous tourist attractions
Jama Masjid, Dwarkandheesh Temple, Govardhan Hill, Archaeological Museum
are the hot tourist spots.The Govardhan Hill is in the shape of a peacock. 
The famous archaeological museum has an invaluable collection of Indian art 
and iconography.

PLACE TO VISIT IN MATHURA

1. SHRI KRISHNA JANMA BHUMI

2. JAMA MASJID

3. VISHRAM GHAT

4. DWARKADHEESH TEMPLE

5. GITA MANDIR

6. GOVT. MESEUM