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Mathura Pilgrimage Tour, Mathura Tourism, History of Mathura, Temples in Mathura

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Sapta Mokshadaayi Puris - Mathura - Introduction

Introduction

Image: 
Introduction: 
    
Mathura, 1 of the 7 mokshdaayi puries, is an important city of Uttar Pradesh and is situated 54 km from Agra and 145 km from Delhi, to the right of the Yamuna River.
    
It is strongly associated with Shri Krishna, the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Besides, it is also considered sacred by Shaiv, Shakt, Buddhist, and Jain followers.
    
In the ancient times, it was an important commercial centre on the Uttarapath (Northern route) from where a route—Dakshinapath—led up to Pratishthaan.
    
Currently, Asia’s largest oil refinery is situated here.
    
A renowned style of idol making was developed in Mathura wherein idols were made of dendrite stone.
 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
According to the Puranas, this region was called Madhuvan at the beginning of the creation of the world. It is said that Dhruv performed meditation on the advice of Narad and was blessed with Haridarshan.
    
 In the same region, a demon named Madhu built a city called Madhupuri or Mathura. His atrocious son, Lavanasur was killed by Kush at the orders of Ram.
    
In the Dwapar Yug, Lord Shri Krishna took birth as the 8th child of Vasudev and Devki to rid Mathura of the brutalities of Kans.
   
In the Varah Puran, the Lord himself says that in all the 3 loks (Prithvi, Paatal and Antariksh), nothing is dearer to him more than Mathura.
    
According to the Skand Puran, the virtues earned by staying in Prayag for 1000 years can be earned by staying in Mathura in only the Agahan month.
    
It is believed that once Mukti (Moksh) herself asked God about her own salvation, to which God’s reply was that when the dust particles of Brij settle on her head, she can consider herself free.
   
According to the Puranas, the entire Brajmandal is said to extend up to 84 kos (ancient measure of distance), where several pilgrimages, temples, and holy places exist. The Brajmandal is considered as the giver of moksh and heaven, according to Padma Puran and Skand Puran.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
In the 6th century B.C., Mathura was the capital of Sursen republic. Avanti, a contemporary of Buddha was the king.
   
Development was at its peak during the Maurya period because this region was located on a commercial route. Megasthenes referred to it as Methore. Ashok built a number of vihars as well as stupas here.
   
During the Kushan period, it was the capital of the eastern empire of Kanishka. It was during this period that a special style of sculpting was developed, which eventually evolved into different art forms of India.
   
The Gupt period also witnessed spiritual and economical development of Mathura, which has been endorsed by Fa Hian. Three idols from the Kumargupt period, with inscriptions on them have been found from the region.
   
The first blow on the development of Mathura came in 1017 A.D. when Mahmood Gaznavi attacked and looted the city and desecrated the temples. His court poet, Utbi has praised the prosperity of Mathura.
   
In 1500 A.D., Sikander Lodi tried to abolish Hinduism in this region.
   
In 1564 A.D., Akbar visited Mathura and abolished the tax on pilgrimages.
   
Mathura was once again a victim of religious intolerance and impatience during Aurangzeb’s times. He destroyed the Keshavdev temple and built Jama Masjid in its place and renamed the city as Islamabad.
   
The last big attack on Mathura came in 1757 A.D. from Ahmedshah Abdali.
   
In 1803 A.D., Mathura came under the East India Company's control.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
    
Yamuna region:
 
In Mathura, along the banks of the Yamuna are situated 24 ghats, the most popular among them is the Vishram ghat. It is believed that Lord Krishna bathed and rested here after killing Kans.
    
Dwarkadheesh Temple:
 
It is a famous temple in Mathura and was built in 1814 A.D. Radha and Krishna are worshipped in this temple according to the traditions of the Vallabh sect.
    
Krishna Janmabhumi:
 
Shri Krishna’s grandson Vajranabh is believed to have built the original temple, which was destroyed by Aurangzeb. The temple has a number of pictures depicting Krishna-leela.
    
Geeta Temple:
 
This temple, situated on the way to Vrindavan, has the entire Geeta inscribed in it.
    
Shiv Temple:
 
Mathura is referred to as Chaturmukh (4 faceted) in Skand Puran because the 4 directions have temples of Shiv in 4 different forms.
  - West - Bhuteshwar
  - East - Pilleshwar
  - North - Gokarneshwar
  - South – Rangeshwar
   
Vrindavan:
 
Padma Puran describes it as the body of Vishnu. It is situated at a distance of 10 km from Mathura. According to Brahmvaivart Puran, Vrinda, the daughter of King Kedar, meditated here in Satyug to get Vishnu as her husband. There are thousands of temples here of which the most popular are Yugal Kishor temple and Rangaji temple.
   
Gokul:
 
Situated 16 km to the south of Mathura, it is here that Krishna spent his childhood days. Here, puja is performed as per the Vallabh tradition.
   
Mahavan:
 
Situated to the east of Mathura, this is where Lord Krishna spent some years of his childhood.
   
Barsana:
 
Situated 50 km to the north of Mathura, is the birth place of Radhaji. The village is situated in between 2 mountains—Brahma Parvat and Vishnu Parvat.
   
Govardhan:
 
A mountain considered as the form of Lord Vishnu, it is situated 25 km to the west of Mathura. It is here that Lord Krishna proved his superiority over Indra.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Jhoola Mahotsav:
 
This 13-day-long festival is celebrated from Shravan Tritiya to Poornima in the entire Vrajmandal, including the Dwarkadheesh temple. On this occasion, the idols of Radha and Krishna are swung on a palna made of gold and silver.
   
Krishna Janmashtami:
 
It is celebrated on the Krishnashtami of Bhadra month when an extensive Rasleela is organised in Vrindavan.
   
Radha Janmotsav:
 
This festival is celebrated primarily in Barsana on Bhadra Shukla Ashtami.
   
Rath Yatra:
 
The main celebrations take place in the Rangnath temple in Chaitra month. It is also called Brahmotsav.
   
Phooldol Utsav:
 
On this occasion, the Gods are adorned with roses.
   
Akshay Tritiya:
 
A bath on this day in the Vaishakh month holds special significance. On this occasion, the idols of Gods are applied a paste of sandalwood.
   
Vasant Panchmi:
 
It is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Gaudia sect of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. In Vraj, this day marks the beginning of Holi.
   
Shivratri:
 
Celebrated in the Phalgun month, the key attraction is the Gopeshwar temple.
   
Holi:
 
The Latthmaar Holi is known all over the world. Holi is generally celebrated on Phalgun Poornima. But the celebrations take place on Navmi in Barsana and on Dashmi in Nandgaon.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Dharamshalas
 
 Raja Tiloi  Bengali Ghat
 Bihari Lal Bengali  Ghat
 Kunjlal Vishweshwar Das  Ram Ghat
 Karamsidas  Vishram Ghat
 Damodar Bhavan  Chhata Bazar
 Maharaj Awagadh  Near Bridge
   
Hotels:
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Govardhan Palace
 Address
 Opp. Narholi Thana, Agra-Delhi Highway, Mathura, UP - 281001
 Telephone
 +91 - 565 - 2409919
 Website
   
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 International Guest House
 Address
 Near Janmabhumi, Mathura
 Telephone
 +91 - 565 - 2423888
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Gaurav Guest House
 Address
 Junction Road, Dampier Nagar, Mathura, UP - 281001
 Telephone
 +91 - 565 - 2502772
 Website
 info@gauravhotels.com
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Rahi Tourism Bungalow
 Address
 civil Lines Mthura - 281001, U.P.
 Telephone
 +91 - 565 - 2407822
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Hotel Agra
 Address
 Bengali Ghat, Mathura
 Telephone
 +91 - 565 - 2403318
   
 
 Category
 Madium
 Name
 Hotel Brijwasi Royal
 Address
 State Bank Crossing, Station Road, Mathura
 Telephone
 +91 - 565 - 2401224
 Fax
 +91 - 565 - 2401227
 Website
   
 
 Category
 Madium
 Name
 Best Western Radha Ashok
 Address
 Masani - Bypass Road, PO - GTB, Mathura, 281 001
 Telephone
 +91 - 565 - 2530395
 Fax
 +91 - 565 - 2530396
 Webiste
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
Location
 Geographical  Location  Height Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  287 metres  64 mm
 27.41˚ N  77.41˚ E
   
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct   Nov    Dec
 Maximum 
20
24
29
36
39
39
35
34
34
33
26
24
 Minimum
8
10
16
21
26
28
28
27
25
19
13
9
   
Important Information
Mathura is situated in Western Uttar Pradesh. To its west is Rajasthan and to the north-west is Haryana.
The weather conditions are as follows: May/June - extreme heat, September/October- humidity, January - fog.
October to April is the ideal time to visit Mathura.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 STD Code
 0565
 Puja Timings  5.00 a.m. - 12.00 p.m., 2.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.
 Police Assistance
  +91 - 565 - 2407 982 
 Hospital &  Ambulance
  Sadar Hospital, Tel: 91 - 565 - 2540308 
 Currency  Exchange
 Bank of Baroda
 Kotwali Road, Main Mathura, Mathura, UP – 281 001
 Tel: +91 - 565 - 2505969 
 Punjab National Bank
 Krishna Nagar, Mathura, UP – 281 001
 Tel: 91 - 565 - 2423244 
 ATM Centre  SBI,
 BPCL Shop Compound, BPCL Shopping Complex,  
 Mathura,  UP
 ICICI Bank Ltd,
 217 / 360, Kesopur, Bhuteshwar Road,
 Mathura – 281 004
 Post Office
 Main Post Office, Tel: +91 - 565 - 2505863 
 Tourist Office
  Tourist Bungalow, Tel: 91 - 565 - 2407822 
 Shopping
 Tourists can buy metal idols and puja articles from Naya   Bazar or Tilka Dwar.
   
Food
All large hotels have restaurants. Besides these, Marwadiwasa offers vegetarian food. Milk products like Khurchan and peda are famous in Mathura.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf iconmathura.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
Agra
New Delhi
Railway: 
 Main Railway Stations  Station Code
 Mathura  MTJ
 Agra (Fort)  AF
 New Delhi  NDLS
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Mathura  Agra  59 km
 New Delhi  152 km
 jaipur  212 km
 Chatt  31 km
 Alighar  65 km

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