| Fast Facts |
|
| Area |
9.37 sq km |
| Altitude |
287 m above sea level |
| Population |
2,98,827 |
| Languages: |
Hindi and Brajbhasha |
| Religion |
Hindu (91.59 %), Muslim (8.12 %),Others (0.29%) |
| Best Time To Visit: |
October-March |
| STD Code: |
0565 |
| State Capital |
No |
History
The origin of Mathura is ancient. It is said to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the popular incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Mathura and the area around it, including Vrindavan, are linked with the childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. It is mentioned in the ancient Indian epic of Mahabharata. It later became a part of the Mauryan Empire. King Ashok, the great Mauryan ruler, built a number of Buddhist monuments in and around Mathura in the third century BC. Between first century BC and first century AD, Mathura was the center for arts. The sculpture making and stone carving styles of this period are referred to as belonging to the Mathura School of Art. The main theme of these sculptures was inspired by the life of Lord Buddha. The decline of Buddhism in this region following the decline of the Mauryan Empire saw the rise of Hindu influence. However, in the 11th century AD, Mahmud Ghazni destroyed a large number of Buddhist and Hindu shrines. In the 15th century, Sikandar Lodhi, one of the Sultans from Delhi, continued the pillage of this city. The last great Mughal ruler and a fanatic Muslim, Aurangzeb flattened the Kesava Deo temple and a built a mosque here. The Afghani marauder Ahmed Shah Abdali dealt the final blow in 1757, when he torched the city. It came under British rule in 1804.
Best Season, Climate, and Clothing
The climate of Mathura is extreme and tropical. Summers are extremely hot and winters are cold and foggy. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains from July to September. The best time to visit Mathura is during winter, between the months of October and March. Cotton clothing is apt for the summer season where as woolens are required for the winters.
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