Mathura & Vrindavan Last Updated Sunday, 22 August :25

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Mathura is a holy city situated at 150 KM south of Delhi and 50 KM north of Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Vrindavan town is 20 KM from Mathura. It is the administrative centre of Mathura District.

1 Mathura is a holy city situated at 150 KM south of Delhi and 50 KM north of Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Vrindavan town is 20 KM from Mathura. It is the administrative centre of Mathura District. Mathura was, in ancient times, an economic hub, located at the junction of important caravan routes of north India. Mathura is reputed for the birthplace of Lord Krishna. It is called Braj-bhoomi, called Krishna-janma-bhoomi. The Keshav Dev temple was built in ancient times on the site of Krishna's legendary birthplace (an underground prison). As per the epic Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana, Mathura was the capital of the Surasena Kingdom, ruled by Kamsa the maternal uncle of Krishna. Mathura is also famous as one of the first two centers of production for images of the Buddha, the other being Gandhara in present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. As per the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) plaque at Mathura museum, the city is mentioned in the oldest epic Ramayana. In the epic, the Ikshwaku prince Shatrughna, slays a demon called Lavanasura and claims the land. Afterwards the place came to be known as Madhuvan as it was thickly wooded, Madhupura and later Mathura. The demon that Shatrughan killed in Ramayana, Lavanasura was the progeny of a devout king Madhu who gets Lord Shiva's Trident in a boon in the Puranas. The Puranas ascribe the founding of the city to Ayu, the son of Pururavas and the celestrial nymph Urvashi. The city might also have got its name from a famous Yadav king Madhu who reigned around 1600 BC. 1 / 10

2 In the 6th century BCE Mathura became the capital of the Surasena mahajanapada. The city was later ruled by the Maurya empire between 4th and 6th century BC) and the Sunga dynasty (2nd century BC). Archaeological evidence seems to indicate that, by 100 BC, there was a group of Jains living in Mathura. Mathuran art and culture reached its zenith under the Kushan dynasty which had Mathura as one of their capitals, the other being Purushapura (Peshawar). The headless statue of Kanishka is in the Mathura museum. Megasthenes, writing in the early 3rd century BC, mentions Mathura as a great city under the name Methora. The main Krishna shrine is presently the Dwarkadeesh temple, built in 1815 by Seth Gokuldas Parikh, Treasurer of Gwalior. Transport: Rail - Mathura is well connected by train from major cities in India such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Varanasi, etc. City is served by three stations, Mathura Junction which connects West, North and Southern India. Mathura Cantonment connects eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bhooteshwar serves for local trains for Delhi, Agra and Alwar. Another station Krishnajanmabhoomi connects to Vrindavan via rail bus. Road - Mathura is well connected by Road to rest of India. The NH-2 (Delhi-Howrah) Highway passes through city which connects to NH-3 (to Mumbai). There are several bus services to and from Mathura and conveniently connects many cities in North India. Air - City does not have an airport as of now. Major tourist sites in Mathura Krishnajanmabhoomi Dwarikadheesh Temple Durvasa Rishi Ashram Kans Tila Sri Keshavji Gaudiya Matha Vishram Ghat, a bath and worship place on the banks of river Yamuna is the main ghat in 2 / 10

3 Mathura, central to 25 other ghats. Bhooteshwar Mahadev Mandir A very famous twin-city to Mathura is Vrindavan. As the home of Lord Krishna in his youth, the small town is host to a multitude of temples belonging to various sects of Hinduism proclaiming Lord Krishna in various forms and avatars. Some of the most famous temples are Banke Bihari Temple, Rang ji Temple and Iskcon Temple. Vrindavan Barsana Nandgaon Gokul Baldeo Govardhan Radha Kund Mant Bharatpur, Rajasthan Agra Alwar, Rajasthan Deeg Palace, Rajasthan Bird Sanctuary, Kitham, Agra Raya Shanidev mandir, Kokilavan, Kosikalan Radharani mandir mant Hanuman mandir raya Gokul 3 / 10

The most celebrated of Shri Krishna's abode, Gokul lies to the west of Sadabad, 1.6 km from Mahavan and 15 km south-east of Mathura, on the Mathura - Etah metalled road.

4 The most celebrated of Shri Krishna's abode, Gokul lies to the west of Sadabad, 1.6 km from Mahavan and 15 km south-east of Mathura, on the Mathura - Etah metalled road. It was here that Lord Krishna was brought up in secrecy by Yashoda, in the pastoral beauty of this village on the banks of the Yamuna. Gokul attained importance during the time of Vallabhacharya ( ) when it became a major centre of the Bhakti cult. The three oldest temples in the place are those dedicated to Gokulnath, Madan Mohan and Vitthalnath, said to have been built around The other temples include those of Dwarika Nath and Balkrishna in the shrines which were built in the honour of Lord Mahadeo in 1602 by Raja Vijai Singh of Jodhpur. The celebration of Janmashtami in August is unparalleled for its gaiety and melas are constant attraction here. Other festivities celebrated with traditional fervour include the Janmotsav in Bhadon, the Annakut festival and Trinavat Mela held on the fourth day of the dark half of Kartik month. Important sites worth visiting in Gokul include the Gokulnath Temple, Raja Thakur Temple, Gopal Lalji Temple and the Morwala Temple. Mahavan Around 18 km from Mathura, lying on the left bank of the River Yamuna, is the large shrine of Mathuranath. It is famed for its Chaurasi Khambha (eighty four pillars). The palace of Rohini, the mother of Baldeo is now the Chhathi-Palana Temple. Other important shrines include, the 4 / 10

5 Shymlalji Temple, the Yogmaya Temple, Tranairatri Temple and the Mahamall Rai Ji's palace. Baldeo Baldeo is 20 km south-east of Mathura and 8.5 km south - east of Mahavan on the road to Sadabad. It derives its name from the famous temple dedicated to Balram, the elder brother of Lord Krishna. It was built by Shyam Das of Delhi 200 years ago. The main image in the sanctum is that the Baldeo or Balram with his spouse Revati. Near by is the brick lined tank, the Khir Sagar or Balbhadra Kund, from where the original image housed in the temple was found. Govardhan Govardhan is situated 26 km west of Mathura on the state highway to Deeg. A famous place of Hindu pilgrimage, Govardhan is located on a narrow sandstone hill known as Giriraj which is about 8 km in length. 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. Govardhan is set along the edge of a large masonry tank known as the Mansi Ganga, which is believed to have been brought into existence by the operation of the divine will. Its enclosures were built by Raja Bhagwan Das of Amer in 1637 and embellished by Raja Man Singh, who built a long flight of steps leading up, from the end of the tank. Close by is the famous red sandstone temple of Haridev and the Kusum Sarovar with exquisitely carved chhatris - the cenotaphs of the members of the royal family of Bharatpur, who perished whilst fighting against the British in Towards the south is the beautiful chhatri of Raja Surajmal of Bharatpur. Fine frescoes - illuminating the life of Surajmal, vividly depict darbar and hunting scenes, royal processions and wars. Barsana Barsana, 50 km to the north-west of Mathura and 19 km north-west of Govardhan, is situated at the foot of a hill that is named after Brahma. Barsana was once the home of Radha-Rani, Krishna's beloved and consort. Temples dedicated to the divine couple ornament the four elevations of the hill. The main among them is the Radha-Rani Temple, more fondly referred to as the Ladliji Temple. The most beautiful temple at Barsana, it was built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo of Orchha in The new marble temple adjoining it is a later addition. The other three shrines are the Man Mandir, Dargah and Mor-Kutir temples. The area between the hill housing the Radha-Rani Temple and the adjoining one, is known as the Sankari-Khor. This is the venue of the annual fair held in the month of Bhadon (July-August). The birth anniversary of Radha-Rani is celebrated on the ninth day of the bright half of 5 / 10

6 Bhadrapad (July-August) at the Mor-Kutir Temple which was built about 300 years ago. Women celebrate the occasion by giving laddus to the peacocks - to symbolize the serving of sweets by Radha to Lord Krishna. Some of the ancient tanks also survive which can be seen, the Prem Sarovar, Roop Sagar, Jal Mahal and the Bhanokhar Tank. Barsana is also famous for its 'Latthmar' Holi-celebration of the festival of colour that is unique to this town. Nandgoan 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. The other temples here are dedicated to Narsingha, Gophinath, Nritya Gopal, Girdhari, Nand Nandan and Yashoda Nandan which is located half way up the hill. A little beyond is the Pan Sarovar, a large lake with masonry ghats along its sides. Legend has it, that this was the place where Shri Krishna used to take his cows for water. Not far away is the Kadamb grove called Udhoji - Ka- Kyar. Radhakund Just 5 km north of Govardhan and 26 km west of Mathura, Radhakund is a large lake, where Shri Krishna is said to have killed Arista - the bull demon. To commemorate this event, every year on the 8th day of the dark half of the month of Kartik (Oct./Nov.), a large number of devotees celebrates the occasion. Fairs & Festivals. The little town comes alive with colourful festivals throughout the year. The Rang Gulal Mahotsav, held annually, celebrates Holi in an exuberant fashion. During the festival of colour which heralds the onset of spring. Several classical and folk artistes render enthralling performances. Janmashtami, the birthday of Shri Krishna is celebrated with great pomp and splendour throughout Braj. The Raaslila is enacted recreating the many legends of Shri Krishna's life - his exploits and his amorous dalliances with the gopies. Ceremonies in the temples at midnight include the bathing of the image of infant Krishna which is then placed in a silver cradle. Songs of devotion are sung and toys offered for the amusement of the divine child. Thousands gather to offer their prayers and Mathura is astir with their devotion and celebrations. The important fairs and festivals of the town include : 6 / 10

7 Festivals Place Time Rath-ka-Mela Vrindavan March Guru Purnima (Muria Puno) Govardhan July Hariyali Teej Braj Mandal July Janmashtami Braj Mandal 7 / 10

8 August/September Radha Ashtami Barsana, Gokul August Annakut Goverdhan, Mathura Sept./Oct. Yam Dwitiya Vishram Ghat Sept./Oct. Kansa Vadh 8 / 10

9 Sept. Holi Braj Mandal Feb./Mar. Latthmar Holi Nandgaon Feb./Mar. (Phalguna Shukla 9 & 10) Braj Parikrama The Rainy month of Bhadon, the month when the Lord Krishna was born, is a time of colourful celebrations. The famous Braj Parikrama - a pilgrimage of all the places in Braj that associated with Shri Krishna, is undertaken. Traditionally, the Chaurasi kos (84 kos) pilgrimage of Braj Mandal, with its 12 vanas (forests). 24 upvanas (groves), sacred hill Govardhan, divine River Yamuna and numerous holy places along its banks, is undertaken annually by lakhs of devotees from all over the country. The Yatra extends to Kotban to the north of Mathura, to Nandgaon, Barsana and the Govardhan Hill to the west and South-west of the city and to the banks of the Yamuna to the 9 / 10

10 east, where the Baldeo Temple is located. Colourful melas and performances of the Raaslila (a depiction of the exploits of Shri Krishna) are distinctive to this festive period. A large fair is held here. Mathura hotels:. Hotels Tariff INR Contacts The advance booking can be made directly or through Please call , (Phone) The above data are indicative as provided by the respective hotel or collected from various sources. The author is not responsible for any difference with the actuals. 10 / 10

DESTINATION Pushkar. Location: It is located 135 kilometers of the state capital, Jaipur, 385 kilometers from Delhi.

DESTINATION Pushkar. Location: It is located 135 kilometers of the state capital, Jaipur, 385 kilometers from Delhi. DESTINATION Pushkar Location: It is located 135 kilometers of the state capital, Jaipur, 385 kilometers from Delhi. Pushkar is a sacred town for the Hindus, situated 11 kms. To the North-West of Ajmer.