At a glance Mathura is located on the western bank of River Yamuna. It is in the famous land of Braj, which starts from Kotban near Hodel (about 95 km from Delhi) and ends at Runakuta, and is famous for its association with the poet Surdas, an ardent Krishna devotee. About the city Krishna"s Birthplace Bhajans, kirtans, Govind geet reverberate through the narrow lanes of the glorious city of Mathura. Walk through the old by lanes and it is impossible to escape the strong feeling of Lord Krishna's presence which is evident in every single aspect that flows through the city. And this strong spiritual belief forms the very nerve centre of Mathura and you cannot escape the magic that Lord Krishna and his devotees in Mathura weave on you. It's akin to a dream come true where your spiritual self feels complete. The chants, the hyms, the geets, the sanctityall of this is truly an enriching experience. It leads you to a profound and deep sense of spiritual fulfillment. Welcome to Brajbhumi, birthplace of the most endearing of the Hindu Gods. The sanctity of Mathura comes alive in the long stretch of the picturesque ghats. There are steps leading from there to the water's edge, and beautifully carved arched gateways and temple spires extend along the right bank of the River Yamuna. The two towns of Mathura and Vrindavan are situated on the banks of the Yamuna, 15 km apart, and are collectively known as Brajbhumi. The two have strong associations with Krishna as he spent his growing up years and quite a bit of his adult life here. Religious Places One of the most beautiful shrines here is the Gita Mandir, located on the Mathura-Vrindavan Road. There are fine images of Krishna in the sanctum and the full text of the holy Bhagwad Gita inscribed on the walls. The main temple however is the Dwarakadheesh Temple, located on the northern side of the town. Seth Gokuldas Parikh, treasurer of the State of Gwalior, built this temple in 1815 and it is managed by the Vallabhacahrya sect. The temple has beautiful carvings, sculptures and colorful paintings/motifs depicting incidents from Shri Krishna's life. The image at the Radharamana Temple is said to be a self-manifested saligram-sila (saligram is a special kind of stone). Also kept in this temple is the wooden sitting place (hoki) and shawl (chaddar) of saint-poet Chaitanya. There is no idol of Radha here, but a jewelled crown has been placed next to the Krishna's idol, symbolising his consort. The wealthy Seth family of Mathura built the Rangji Temple in 1851 on the lines of Dravidian architecture. The idol depicts Lord Vishnu lying down on the Sesanaga or celestial serpent. The famous Brahmotsava is held here during the months of March/April and lasts for 10 days. Festivals The twin cities of Mathura-Vrindavan celebrate the festival of Janmasthmi (the birth of Krishna, falls in August/September) with great pomp and show. Temples are decorated with tableaus depicting various episodes of Lord Krishna's life. The special attraction during the period are the gold and silver swings which are displayed only during this occasion. The Raslila enactments add fervour to the festive spirit. Lathmaar Holi (March/April)is the most colourful and exuberant form of traditional Holi. It is celebrated at Barsana, 48 km from Mathura. Women folk here beat the men with lathis or bamboo poles while showering coloured water on them. How to reach Road: Mathura has regular bus services to Delhi and Agra, besides important towns in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana. The bus stand is near Hotel Mansarovar Palace. Rail: 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, including Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Jaipur, Gwalior, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Lucknow. Air: The airport nearest to Mathura is in Agra (62 km). The Delhi airport is about 155 km away. Getting Around: Travelers can make use of auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws to move around the city. Tempos ply back and forth on the 10-km stretch between Mathura and Vrindavan. One can also take an auto-rickshaw to Vrindavan from Mathura Distances 26 km West from Govardhan 50 km Northwest from Barsana 26 km West from Radhakund 15 km from Vrindavan Best Seasons Mathura experiences tropical climate. Summers are extremely hot and winters cold and foggy. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains from July to September. The best time to visit Mathura is during the winter season, between the months of October and March. Places in and around Ghats and Lakes There are about 25 ghats in Mathura. The most important one is the Vishram Ghat, where according to legend, Krishna rested after killing King Kansa. It is at Vishram Ghat that the traditional parikrama or circumambulation of the Govardhan Hill starts and ends. The town has a number of Shiva temples as well. Mansarovar is a rare wetland grove and bird sanctuary located a few miles across the Yamuna River. Tradition has it that the lake was formed by the tears of Radha, who thought she had lost Krishna. There is a small shrine by the lake where her solitary image has been installed and is worshipped. Museums The Government Museum houses an exquisite collection of art that flourished in Mathura from the 3rd century BC. There are stone sculptures, architectural pieces, inscriptions, coins, terracottas, inscribed bricks, pottery pieces, clay seals, bronze objects, paintings and sculptures belonging to various dynasties, faiths and religions. Also on display are ancient forms of drapery, ornamentation and hairdressing and a host of articles of domestic or special use. The entry fee is Rs.25 and the museum is open between 10.30 am and 4.30 pm. It is closed on Mondays and Saturdays and other public holidays. Government Museum Museum Road, Dampier Nagar Tel: 91-565-500847 Other Attractions Jama Masjid This mosque was built on the ruins of a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple, Keshava Deo, is believed to be the place where Krishna was born (Kansa's prison), and was apparently destroyed by Aurangzeb. The mosque lies in the heart of the city and was built by Abe-In-Nabir Khan in 1661 AD. Sati Burj is a 17-m high, red sandstone structure built in 1570 AD to commemorate the death of the widow of Raja Bihari Mal of Amer. She committed sati (self-immolation on the husband's pyre). The four-storey tower was built by Raja Bhagwan Das, her son, on the right bank of the Yamuna. Aurangazeb demolished the upper storeys but they have since been rebuilt.