Mathura City Guide
The city of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, the nucleus of Brajbhoomi, is located at a distance of 145 km south-east of Delhi and 58 km north-west of Agra. Covering an area of about 3,800 sq. km., today, Brajbhoomi can be divided into two distinct units - the eastern part in the trans-Yamuna tract with places like Gokul, Mahavan, Baldeo, Mat and Bajna and the western side of the Yamuna covering the Mathura region that encompasses Vrindavan, Govardhan, Kusum Sarovar, Barsana and Nandgaon
Mathura is a home to many temples and shrines associated with the birth and life of lord Krishna. Krishna devotees throng the various temples in and around Mathura through out the year. There are various temples and tourist places in Mathura that you can visit on your luxury Mathura travel. Its proximity to Agra has made it popular and easily accessible for tourists. Many tourists visiting Agra stretch their tour and visit various beautiful temples in Mathura.
Getting There
The new bus stand is located near Hotel Mansarovar Palace. Bus service from Mathura to Delhi (3½ hours) and Agra (1½ hour) is very good. The old bus stand no longer serves local destinations, but there a few buses to Agra. Mathura railway station is located south of the new bus stand. Mathura is well connected by train with Agra (1 hour), Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur and Kota. The Taj Express runs daily between Matura to Delhi (2½ hours).
Tourist Attractions
Shri Krishna Janmbhoomi : A temple marks the birthplace of Lord Krishna today. A narrow passage leads one into a small room with a raised platform adorned with pictures of Krishna as a child to the left. The story of His birth is written and depicted on the walls. A narrow set of marble steps leads you to the terrace and a walled corridor creates the effect of a prison. The prison and the other buildings were razed to the ground in the 17th century but were restored in 1962 by industrialists like G.D. Birla.
Rangbhoomi : Rangbhoomi situated opposite to the post office in Mathura, is said to be the wrestling arena where Krishna killed Kansa in a duel. According to Hindu mythology, Kansa had put his father and parents of Lord Krishna in prison and usurped the throne. Krishna killed him and set his parents free reinstating his maternal grandfather Ugrasena on the throne.
Kans Qila : This ruined fort on the banks of the river Yamuna was built by Raja Mansingh of Jaipur. An observatory was built here at a later sate by that keen astronomer Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Amer.
Vishramghat : The most important bathing ghat of Mathura is the Vishram Ghat, which is believed to be the place where Krishna rested after killing Kansa.
Sati Burj : The 17 m tall, 4 storeed, red sandstone tower built in 1570 AD, commemorates the death of the widow of Raja Biharimal of Amer who committed sati.
The Government Museum : Housed in a fine octagonal building at damper park, the museum is a repository of sculpture styles, terracotta and artifacts from the Kushan and Gupta periods. Among its most impressive exhibits are the headless figure of emperor kanishka dressed in central Asian robes and boots and various Buddha images.
