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Tourist attractions in Mathura |
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There are several places of tourist attractions in Mathura.
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Shri Krishna Janmbhoomi
The Shri Krishna Janmbhoomi (birthplace of Lord Krishna) is the main attraction of Mathura and an important pilgrimage for the Hindus.
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A stone slab marks the original spot of the birth of Lord Krishna. The earlier Kesava Deo temple had the room where Lord Krishna was born. According to legends, Lord Krishna was born in a small prison room where the tyrant ruler Kansa held his parents captive.
Ranghbhumi
Opposite the post office in Mathura is Ranghbhumi, the wrestling arena where Krishna killed Kansa in a duel and set his parents free reinstating his maternal grandfather Ugrasena on the throne. Kansa's fort stood on the riverbank. The most important bathing ghat of Mathura is the Vishram Ghat. It is here that Krishna took vishram (rest) after killing Kansa.
Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Mathura is an important place to visit. It houses an excellent collection of sculptures belonging to the ancient Mathura School of Art.
The Sati Burj, Kans Qila, Jama Masjid and Dwarkadheesh temple are other places to see in Mathura. Mathura is equally important to Buddhists, Jains and the Pashupati (the worshippers of Shiva) sect of Hinduism. But Krishna legends overwhelm them all.
Weekend Trips/Excursions
There are several places to see and visit near Mathura too.
Vrindavan is 10 km from Mathura and it is associated with the childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. Like Mathura, Vrindavan is also famous for its temples. There are about 4,000 temples in Vrindavan. The main temples are Govind Dev Temple, Rangaji temple, Bankey Bihari temple, Radha Ballabh temple, Madan Mohan temple, Pagal Baba temple and the Nidhi Van temple.
Gokul is 16 km south of Mathura. It is said that Lord Krishna was secretly raised here.
Mahaban is 18 km southeast of Mathura. Lord Krishna is believed to have spent his youth here.
Barsana, 50 km northwest of Mathura, is worth visiting as it is the birthplace of Lord Krishna's consort Radha. The Holi festival of Barsana is unique. The Barsana women attack men from Nandgaon with wooden sticks, when they try to put color on these women.
Govardhan is 25 km west of Mathura. Legend has it that Lord Krishna had protected the local people from the wrath of the rain God Indra by holding up a hill on one finger.
Agra is 47 km southeast of Mathura. It was the one-time capital of the Mughal rulers and is known for the Taj. It also has a number of monuments belonging to the Mughals.
Events and Festivals
Janmashtami
Hindus celebrates Lord Krishna's birthday as Janmashtami on the eighth day of the darker half of the month in July/August. For Mathura, Janmashtami is the biggest festival and it is held on a grand scale.
Plays based on the life of Krishna are staged. Devotional songs blare from loudspeakers. As the hour of Krishna's birth approaches, the atmosphere becomes charged with frenzied dancing and singing in the temples.
Braj Yatra
The Braj Yatra, which commences a day after Janmashtami and lasts for 50 days, deserves special mention. During the yatra (pilgrimage), devotees observe 30 rules. For example, they have to walk barefoot, sleep on the floor, abstain from sex, intoxicants, greed and anger, have ritual baths and listen to Krishna's exploits, sing kirtans (hymns) in his praise, and visit and worship holy sites. According to the Matasya Purana, there are 25,000 tirthas (shrines) within Brajamandala. The spiritual merit accruing out of this pilgrimage is immense. It is believed that those who undertake the parikrama are delivered from all sins, and gain salvation.
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