Mathura serves as the governmental hub for the district of the same name in Uttar Pradesh. In the olden days, the city of Mathura served as a financial and business center, situated at the intersection of major wagon train itineraries. At present, Mathura is a fast developing area and houses more than 2.5 million inhabitants.
Mathura Travel Guide provides you all essential details about Mathura is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Tourists travel to Mathura as it is famous as the hometown of Lord Krishna and is a major tourist destination in Northern India.
Mathura is a major city in Uttar Pradesh and a popular pilgrimage hub in North India. The distance from Agra is around 50 km and the distance from Delhi is around 145 km. Mathura is located towards the north of Agra and to the southeast of Delhi.
HOW TO REACH
By Air:-
The nearest airport is located at Kheria in Agra and the distance is about 57 km. The closest international airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and the distance is 155 km.
By Road:-
Roadways perfectly join Mathura to the other parts of Uttar Pradesh and India. National Highway 2 which joins Delhi with Howrah runs across the city. It joins with NH 3 (extending to Mumbai) and a segment of this road is known as Mathura Road.
National Highway 11 which joins Agra with Bikaner and National Highway 93 joining Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh are major highways as well. Mathura is also joined by Yamuna Expressway.
By Train:-
Train services from important locations in India like Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Indore, Hyderabad, Gwalior, Bhopal, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Lucknow, Rewa, Varanasi and Kanpur are available to Mathura. There are four railway stations in Mathura.
WHAT TO SEE
Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple:-
Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple is located in Mathura near the railway station. The temple is one of the main attraction of the city in Uttar Pradesh and an important place of pilgrimage for the devotees of Hindu community.
This Temple is distinguished as the place of birth of Lord Krishna. It is a popular belief that nearly 5000 years ago Lord Krishna was born in the prison of King Kansa in Mathura.
Dwarkadheesh Temple:-
Dwarkadheesh Temple is located near the eastern banks of river Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh. The temple was constructed in 1814 and is located at a central place in the city of Mathura. It can be visited between 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM all throughout the year. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Krishna.
Jama Masjid, Mathura:-
Jama Masjid, Mathura was constructed by Nabir -Khan in 1661 A.D. He was the governor of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. This mosque is a popular place of worship of the Muslims of the region. It is visited by thousands of devotees to offer prayer from all across Uttar Pradesh and India. The mosque is adorned with four soaring minarets. These minarets are decorated with vibrantly colored plaster mosaic. Some of these panels exist even today.
Vishram Ghat:-
Mathura city is located on the banks of river Yamuna. At present, the city of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh has nearly 25 ghats, which add to the beauty of this religious city. Among all the ghats, Vishram Ghat is the most important. To the north of Vishram Ghat there are 12 ghats namely the Ganesh Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat with its Neelakantheshwar Temple, Navtirtha or Varahkshetra Ghat, Ghantagharan Ghat, Saraswati Sangam Ghat, Dharapattan GhatKrishnaganga Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Somatirth or Swami Ghat, Vaikuntha Ghat, Asikunda ghat and, Chakratirtha Ghat. There are 11 ghats to its south, namely the Dhruva ghat, Guptatirth Ghat, Ram Ghat, Ravan Koti Ghat, Shyam Ghat, Kankhal Ghat, Prayag Ghat with its Veni Madhav Temple, Saptrishi Ghat, Mokshatirth Ghat, Surya Ghat, and Buddha Ghat.
Kans Qila:-
Kans Qila is one of the historical monuments of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. The ruin of this ancient fort is located on the northern bank of the Yamuna River. Due to improper maintenance, the fort is presently in a dilapidated condition. The Rajput General of Mughal Emperor Akbar, Raja Man Singh of Jaipur constructed the Kans Qila in Mathura. It believed that in between the year’s 1699 and1743, a keen astronomer Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur built a famous observatory here. But there is no trace of the monument at this site.
Gita Mandir Mathura:-
Gita Mandir is situated at a distance of five kilometers from Mathura in Uttar Pradeshand is one of the most popular attractions of Mathura. The magnificent mandir was built by Birla ,one of the leading industrial powers of India .The excellent architecture of the temple attracts tourists from all over India.
Potara Kund:-
Potara Kund is one of the most beautiful attractions of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh and visited by tourists coming here. It is one of the landmarks of Mathura and surrounded by temples from all sides. Potara Kund is easily reached by car,private taxis,bus and coaches. The tourists can visit the place throughout the year but October to March is the best time to visit the place.
Rangbhoomi:-
Rangbhoomi is one of major attraction in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh and tourists visit this interesting place every year. Rangbhoomi in Mathura is situated opposite to the Mathura post office. Rangbhomi in Mathura can be easily reached by taxi,rickshaw and private cars. The other tourist spots are also close by and can be easily reached from Rangbhoomi.
Government Museum, Mathura:-
Located near the Dampier Park the Government Museum in Mathura can be visited throughout the year by the tourists. The museum was founded by Sir F.S Growse in 1874. The government museum can easily be reached by cabs and auto rickshaws hired from the hotel. Tongas are also available in large numbers which provide easy access to Government Museum,Mathura in Uttar Pradesh.
Kusum Sarovar:-
Kusum Sarovar is one of the religious sites of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh and attracts tourists from all parts of the world. Situated on the banks of river Yamuna, Kusum Sarovar is an ideal tourist spot. Kusum Sarovar in Mathura can be easily reached taxi, auto rickshaw or private cars from the major destinations of Mathura. The site can be visited any time during the year.
Kesava Deo Temple:-
It is believed that Kesha Deo Temple in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh was constructed over the prison cell in which Lord Krishna was born. As per the legend, Lord Krishna was born in a small prison room as his parents were in the captivity of the tyrant ruler Kansa. During Aurangzeb’s reign the temple was demolished on his instructions and the Jama Masjid was built on the site by the local governor, Abe-In-Nabir Khan. Few years back the remnants of the old temple could be seen behind the mosque but now been modern buildings have covered it.
Mathura Krishna Balarama Mandir:-
Mathura Krishna Balarama Mandir is a beautiful temple made of marble, which was built in the year 1975 in Uttar Pradesh. The presiding deities of the temple are Radha-Syamasundara, Gaura-Nitai and Krishna Balarama. The temple attracts devotees and tourists from all over the world.
SHOPPING:-
Markets and Handicrafts of Mathura
Shopping in Mathura is a true delight. If you are a booklover, you will find books on every facet of human life in Gayatri Tapobhmi, which is located in Vrindavan Road, Mathura.
You will find ingenious works of Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya and thousands of books. Books are available in different languages including English, Hindi, and other local languages of the country. Gayatri Pariwar is a non-profit seeking organization.
FOOD:-
Sweets made of milk and milk products are the specialty of Mathura. Mathura is famous for “PEDE” (sweet made of milk and sugar).The best shop for trying sweets is “Brijwasi Mithai wala” which are located at 4-5 places in Mathura like Opposite Janmbhumi, in Holigate,in Chowk Bazaar and at the New Roadways bus stand. Other good sweet shops are Gosai Pede Wala, Radhika Sweets, Shankar Mithai Wala, Bharatpuria etc.
Another famous food item in Mathura that is the most common breakfast in the city is “Kachori and Jalebi”. Kachori is a snack served with “Alloo Ki Subji“(Spicy Potato Curry) and Jalebi is a sweet. One can find a near rush in front of Kachori Shops in the morning in Mathura. If you are in Mathura then you must try Kachori and Jalebi for your break fast. Although there are many Kachori and Jalebi Shops, but most famous among them is OMA Pahalwan KachoriWala, that is situated at Holigate in front of Brijwasi Mithai Wala. Another famous item worth trying in Mathura is “Chat”, specially “Gol – Gappey” (Pani-Puri).There are many chat walas, it depends upon your taste. You can taste these chat on the vendor who are situated from Holi Gate to Chowk bazaar.