Mathura:-
Location: In the Northwestern Uttar Pradesh, India
Climate: Summer 45°C to 30°C, Winter 25 °C to 3 °C
Best time to visit: October to March
Nearest Airport: Agra Airport
Nearest Railhead: Mathura Junction
Language spoken: Hindi, Braj Bhasha and English
STD Code: +91-565
An ancient city, Mathura derives its glory and sacred character from being the birth place of Lord Krishna. Through centuries, it has attracted pilgrims from the Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina fold. Formerly the capital of Braj Mathura is situated on the west bank of river Yamuna. The present day Mathura abounds in places of religious and historic interest. All round the year, a large number of festivals and fairs are held in Mathura and the adjoining areas of Vrindavan, Gokul, and Barsana and Goverdhan.
The City of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, the nucleus of Brajbhoomi, is located at a distance of 150 km south-east of Delhi and 56 km north-west of Agra.
Mathura is home to a large, technologically-advanced oil refinery owned by the Indian Oil Corporation. This refinery is one of the largest oil refineries of Asia. On the industrial aspect, Mathura is home to a flourishing Silver polishing industry. In addition to this, Sari-printing and water tap factories are also flourishing in the area.
A very famous twin-city to Mathura is Vrindavan. The small town hosts a lot of temples belonging to various sects of Hinduism preaching Lord Krishna in various forms/avatars. Some of the most famous temples are Banke Bihari Temple, Rang ji Temple, Iskcon Temple.
Food in Mathura:-
In morning time Kachodi and hot milk makes a great breakfast. The lassi in the afternoon takes all heat from the body and at night simple dinner in 'dharamsala' makes the journey to Mathura an unforgettable experience.
Vrindavan:-
Location: Located 15 Kilometers from Mathura
Ideal Time to Visit: Anytime round the year.
Attraction: Numerous Temples
How to Reach:Hire a cab or take a Tourist service bus.
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.
The name 'Vrindavan' is derived from 'Vrinda', another name for the sacred tulsi (basil) plant. It is said that the entire place was a tulsi grove at one time. According to another tradition, it was named after Vrinda Devi, one of Krishna's consorts. The earliest known shrine in Vrindavan is said to have been built by the local
Govardhan:-
Location:Located 26 Kilometers from Mathura
Ideal Time to Visit: Anytime round the year, 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Attraction: Mansi Ganga
How to Reach: Hire a cab or take a Tourist service bus.
Govardhan is situated 26 km west of Mathura. A famous place of Hindu pilgrimage, Govardhan is located on a narrow sandstone hill known as Giriraj. The young Lord Krishna is said to have held Giriraj up on the tip of a finger for 7 days and nights to shield the people of Braj from the deluge of rain sent down by Lord Indra.
Nandgoan:-
Location: Located 32 Kilometers from Mathura
Ideal Time to Visit: Anytime round the year, 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Attraction: Nanda Rai and Madan Gopal Temple
How to Reach: Hire a cab or take a Tourist service bus.
Nadgaon lies 8.5 km north of Barsana on the metalled road to Mathura (56 km). According to tradition, it was the home of Shri Krishna's foster father, Nand. On the top of the hill is the spacious temple of Nand Rai, built by the Jat ruler Roop Singh.
Gokul:-
Location: Located 16 Kilometers from Mathura
Ideal Time to Visit: Anytime round the year, 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Attraction:Gokul Nath Ji
How to Reach: Hire a cab or take a Tourist service bus.
Gokul that lay 16 odd kilometers from the city Mathura has an importance of its own in the story of Lord Krishna. Gokul is famous as a town where infant Krishna was brought up in secrecy in the home of his foster mother, Yashoda. The story goes that Vasudeva, the father of Krishna secretly exchanged Krishna with the infant daughter of Nanda and Yashoda in order to save him from almost imminent death from the hand of Kansa, his maternal uncle. Lord Krishna spent his childhood and adolescence in Gokul only. During his stay at Gokul, Krishna spent his time in fun and frolic, though he his life did come under threat a few times. The most important temple is Gokul Nath Ji.
Barsana
Location: Located 45 Kilometers from Mathura
Ideal Time to Visit: Anytime round the year, 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Attraction: Ladli Ji ka Mandir and Pila Pokhara
How to Reach: Hire a cab or take a Tourist service bus
Barsana is a village that is located 45 kilometers from the downtown Mathura. Typical of villages in Braj, Barsana too is connected to Lord Krishna and his times. Barsana that is surrounded by hills from four sides is actually the birthplace of Radha, the consort of Krishna whom he never married. The place was earlier named Brahmsarin. The myth goes that Brahma asked Krishna to spend time on the earth. Krishna asked Brahma to take the form of hill. The four hills are said to represent the four heads of Brahma. Hence Brahma and Sarin (head) form this name.
All the hills have temples dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha. The most famous among these is the Ladli Ji ka Mandir. Radha is lovingly called Ladli Ji in Barsana. There is a seven-kilometer circumambulating road round these hills. The village also boasts of a tank named Prem Sarovar that is believed to be the first meeting place of Lord Krishna and Radha. Another pond called Pila Pokhra is also there. Pila means yellow and Pokhra means pond in Hindi. It is said that the water of the pond turned yellowish when Radha dipped her hand in it, as Radha was golden in hue.
Baldeo:-
Baldeo is 20 km southeast of Mathura and 8.5 km south - east of Mahavan on the road to Sadabad. In the center of the town stand the famous temple of Baldeo (Dauji). It derives its name from the famous temple dedicated to Balram, the elder brother of Lord Krishna.
How to Get There:-
Air:-
Nearest airport is Agra, 62 km. and Delhi, 150 km.
Train:-
Mathura is on the main lines of the Central and Western Railways and is connected with all the important cities of the state and country such as Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Jaipur, Gwalior, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow etc.
Road:-
Mathura is connected to all the major cities, by National Highways. It is linked by the regular state bus services of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.
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