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| CITY ATTRACTIONS |
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| MATHURA EXCURSIONS |
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| RELIGIOUS PLACES |
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| Krishna Janmbhoomi |
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Krishna Janambhoomi is one of the most visited tourist destination in India. The place has been named so because it is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. 'Janam' means 'Birth' and 'Bhoomi' means 'Place' in Hindi. It is supposed that the present temple is built over spot of the prison where Lord Krishna took birth. The story goes that King Kansa, the ruler of Mathura, was a despotic and cruel ruler. One day it was prophesied that he would meet his end with the hands of his sister's son. Hearing the prophecy, he put his sister and brother-in-law in to the prison. Lord Krishna took birth amidst prison wall and slay him. The things that have been unearthed during the excavation work support this story. It includes among other, some old statues, utensils and a rock-based plinth that was common in prisons of that era.
The present temple has been constructed in the 20th century. 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. The only dampener is the heavy security cordoning that has been done in this area. One has to go through complex and long security check ups before getting admitted in the campus. There is a dispute regarding a mosque that shares its wall with the temple. |
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| Archeological Museum |
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The Government Museum of Mathura that houses an excellent collection of sculptures belonging to the ancient Mathura school of art is one of the leading museums of not only Uttar Pradesh but also India. Sir F.S. Growse originally founded this museum in the year 1874. Government Museum of Mathura that is also called Mathura Museum is considered one of the leading centers for research, study and the preservation of the heritage left by the Mathura School of Sculpture.
The museum is presently housed near the historic Dampier Park in Mathura. The building of the museum itself is worth visiting. This aesthetically beautiful building is octagonal in shape and is made out of the red-sandstone. The museum boasts of the largest, vivid and the most splendid collection of Kushana sculptures in the country. The Museum also has very proud collections of stone sculpture and terracotta. Most of them belong to the Kushana period and after. Apart from that, the museum also has a magnificent collection of gold, silver and copper coins, clay seals, ancient pottery, paintings and bronzes among others. |
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| Vishram Ghat |
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Vishram Ghat is one of the most significant ghats situated on the river banks of Yamuna in Mathura. As per the Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Krishna perched here after the longsighted combat clash to destroy his evil uncle Kamsa. This Ghats is captioned after this incident. Generally, the term Vishram means rest! As, Lord Krishna took a good rest in this ghats, it was captioned as Vishram Ghats. This Vishram Ghat is the initiate and terminus of the ‘parikrama', that process and formulates all the chief holy spots in Mathura. Large group of tourists visit the place and spend a good time here. |
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| 25 Tirthas Ghat |
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There are 25 holy tirthas (bathing places or ghats) in Mathura. Visrama Ghata is in the middle and there are 12 ghats south of Visrama Ghata and 12 ghats north. The 12 ghats in the north go up to Dasasvamedha Ghata and the 12 ghats in the south extend to Moksa Ghata.
Some pilgrims take bath in all 25 tirthas before beginning Braja Mandala parikrama. Lord Caitanya and Prabhu Nityananda both took bath in all these ghats before doing their parikrama of Braja Mandala. There is an interesting road, south of Visrama Ghata, that runs along the Yamuna, in the area where these ghats are located. Many people visit this area.
These holy tirthas are mostly located about 400m south of Visrama Ghata and 400m north of Visrama Ghata, almost right next to each other. Many of the ghats are known now by different names and are difficult, if not impossible to find. Asi Ghata, Prayag Ghata, Chakra Tirtha Ghata, Krishna Ganga, Dhruva Ghata and Visrama Ghata are still known by the same names.
The 25 important tirthas or bathing places that are mentioned in the scriptures are: (1) Avimukta, (2) Adhirudha, (3) Guhya-tirtha, (4) Prayaga-tirtha, (5) Kanakhala, (6) Tinduka-tirtha, (7) Surya-tirtha, (8) Vatasvami, (9) Dhruva Ghata, (10) Rishi-tirtha, (11) Moksa-tirtha, (12) Budha-tirtha, (13) Gokarna, (14) Krishna Ganga, (15) Vaikuntha, (16) Asi Kunda, (17) Catuh-samudrika-kupa, (18) Akrura Ghata, (19) Yajnika-vipra-sthana, (20) Kubja-kupa, (21) Ranga-sthala, (22) Mancha-sthala, (23) Mallayuddha-sthana, (24) Dasasvamedha Ghata, and (25) Visrama Ghata. |
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| Kusum Sarovar |
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Kusum Sarovar is the must visit site in Mathura. Kusum Sarovar is actually a 450 feet long tank that belongs to the era of Lord Krishna. Kusum Sarovar is 60 feet deep and has numerous flights of stairs from all sides. Kusum Sarovar is just half an hour walk from another famous tank named Radha Kunj.
The thing that makes Kusum Sarovar a place worth visit is the peace and serenity that it offers. The place is marked by groves of tress, mostly Kadamb. Interestingly, Kadamb was the favorite tree of Lord Krishna. It is said that Kusum Sarovar is the place where Gopis or milkmaids used to pick flowers for lord Krishna. The place remains the best swimming spot in the Braj region till date.
The tank is suitable for bathing so do keep aside some time for it. The place is good to spend a quality evening when you can loiter around the serene grooves. There are numerous small Ashrams and Temples nearby. Stop for the evening Aarti. |
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| Vrindavan |
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15 kms north of Mathura on the same bank of Yamuna, lies the celebrated town of Vrindavan, almost as closely associated with Krishna as Mathura itself. Indeed one hardly speak of Vrindavan alone to the devout Hindu. Mathura-Vrindavan together is an unified image of untold beauty and religious sanctity. What is comparatively a matter of detail is that Vrindavan is believed to have been the stage on which Krishna performed his famous romantic and sportive roles. Unlike busy Mathura, Vrindavan seems perpetually dreamy and imaginative, re-living its romantic past. There are hundreds of shrines in the town, as also numerous ghats and several sacred tanks, of which one called Brahama kund and another named Govinda kund are the most highly venerated. The most famous as well as the finest temple in Vrindavan is that of Govinda Deva, dating from 1590. |
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| Nandgaon |
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Nandgaon is situated 10 kilometers from Barsana on the road towards Mathura. Typical of villages of Braj, Nandgaon too is connected to the legend of Lord Krishna. Nandgaon was the home of Nanda, the foster-father of Lord Krishna. Infant Krishna was actually exchanged with the daughter of Nanda by Vasudeva, the blood father of Krishna, in order to save him from the imminent death from the hands of Kansa. Nanda thought that his wife Yashoda has given birth to the baby boy and started raising him as his son.
The village is situated in the lap of a hill. There are quite a few temples in the village among those the one dedicated to Nanda Rai is the best. This temple is very old and Raja Roop Singh took a substantial part of its construction. This temple is situated on the top of the hillock. There are other minor temples too that are dedicated to minor deities such as Narsingha, Nritya Gopal and Yashoda Nandan. Close by is Pan Sarovar. This is actually a tank that has masonry ghats along its sides. If we go by the legend, this lake served as the source of water for the men and cattle of the then Nandgaon. Even Lord Krishna used to take his cow at the same ghats. A grove of Kadamb called Udhoji - Ka- Kyar is also close . |
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| Barsana |
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Barsana is a village that is located 45 kilometers from the downtown Mathura. Typical of villages in Braj, Barsana too is connected to Lord Krishna and his times. Barsana that is surrounded by hills from four sides is actually the birthplace of Radha, the consort of Krishna whom he never married. The place was earlier named Brahmsarin. The myth goes that Brahma asked Krishna to spend time on the earth. Krishna asked Brahma to take the form of hill. The four hills are said to represent the four heads of Brahma. Hence Brahma and Sarin (head) form this name.
All the hills have temples dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha. The most famous among these is the Ladli Ji ka Mandir. Radha is lovingly called Ladli Ji in Barsana. There is a seven-kilometer circumambulating road round these hills. The village also boasts of a tank named Prem Sarovar that is believed to be the first meeting place of Lord Krishna and Radha. Another pond called Pila Pokhra is also there. Pila means yellow and Pokhra means pond in Hindi. It is said that the water of the pond turned yellowish when Radha dipped her hand in it, as Radha was golden in hue.
Barsana is also famous for its Holi celebrations. A very special type of Holi called Lathmaar Holi is played here between the residents of Nandgaon and Barsana. It this Holi, womenfolk of Barsana beat men of Nandgaon with wooden sticks and the later have to defend themselves. Do catch this event as nowhere in India will you find Holi so colorful. |
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| Gokul |
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About 15 kms. south-east of Mathura, connected by a metalled road is Gokul, a suburb of the inland town of Mahavan on the banks of the river Yamuna. Gokul is a celebrated spot where Lord Krishna was reared in secrecy by his nurse. This place is very scared and is visited by thousand of pilgrims particularly during the birth anniversary of the Lord Krishna in July-August and the time of the Annakut festival. Gokul is also associated with the famous saint Vallabhacharya who lived here for many years. The most important temple is that of Gokul Nath Ji. The principal meals are Janma in Bhadon and Annkut on the day after the new Moon of kartik. The "Trinavat Mela" is also held on the fourth day of the dark half of kartik. |
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| Govardhan Parvat |
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Govardhan is 26 kms from Mathura along the road to Deeg. It is named after the "Goverdhan Hillock" and it is interesting to note that Krishnaji is said to have raised the hillock on his finger. He did this to save the people of Brij from the incessant rain which fell constantly for seven days. The hillock is 7 miles in length. The temple of Har Deva Ji in Goverdhan town is 400 yrs old. The Mansi Ganga which is an artificial lake, was constructed by Man Singh of Jaipur. The dense shady trees the hill ranges and tranquil flow of Mansi Ganga all unite together and make a charming view which the visitor can never forget. |
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RELIGIOUS PLACES IN MATHURA |
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| Dwarkadheesh Temple |
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Dwarkadhish Temple is not only an important temple of Mathura but also of India. Built in 1814, Dwarkadhish Temple is situated in the heart of the city of Mathura. Dwarkadhish Temple that is currently managed by the followers of the Vallabhacharya sect is the most visited temple in Mathura. Located in the eastern part of Mathura, not far from the Yamuna River, the temple is architecturally very interesting.
One Seth Gokul Das Parikh who was the treasurer of the estate of Gwalior built Dwarkadhish temple that is dedicated to Lord Krishna. He is supposed to be a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna. An excellent work of art, the interiors of the temple include images of the Lord Krishna, his beloved Radha and other Hindu deities. The architecture of the temple has elements of local art and aesthetics. The temple carving and paintings are major attractions. The temple is a hub of activity during the festive days of Holi, Janmashtmi and Dipawali. |
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| Gita Mandir or Birla Mandir |
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Gita Mandir is one of the far-renowned holy shrines situated in the outskirts of Mathura. This temple is the house of the Gita Stambh and it has the pillar carvings of the whole Bhagavad Gita in its surface. This famous temple was constructed by the top class industrial families – the Birlas. This familiar temple holds the exclusive and excellent pictures of Lord Krishna in its holy place. Moreover, this far-famed temple is also known as Birla temple. The shrine inside the temple has the deity god Lord Krishna for dharshan. Also, the lord Lakshmi Narayana and Sita Rama statuette on the left and right. |
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| Jama Masjid |
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The striking tourism attraction of Mathura is the Jama Masjid. Jama Masjid is located in the backdrop of the Janambhumi complex. This long familiar tourism attraction was established in the year 1661. Abo-in-Nabir-Khan built the Jama Masjid and now this place is considered to be the mesmerizing tourism destination. Tourists visiting to Mathura will never miss to take a visit to this Jama Masjid. This mosque has 4 supercilious towers and moreover they look really magnificent and outstanding. As per the info, this Jama Masjid was constructed on the ruinations of Keshav Deo temple. The temple was demolished earlier. |
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| Rangaji Temple |
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Rangji Temple, built in the year 1851, is a southern style temple located in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. Vrindavan is about 15 km from Mathura. Built by the Seth family of Mathura, this beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Ranganatha or Rangaji (a form of Lord Vishnu lying down on the Sesa Naga). The temple, surrounded by high walls, has a traditional South Indian gopuram. A grand festival, which lasts for 10 days, named Rath Yatra (also Brahmotsava) held here is a major draw. |
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This temple built by the international society for shri Krishna consciousness (ISKCON), is one of the most beautiful temples in Vrindavan. The principal deities of this temple are "Shri Krishna-Balram" and "Shri Radha-Shyamsunder". Adjoining the temple is the samadhi of "Shri Prabhupada" the founder of the Iskcon sects. A Gurukul and a school of yoga are parts of this temple complex. |
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