About Mathura | Facts | History | Best Places to Visit
In this article, we provide detailed information about the geography, history, population, and top tourist attractions of Mathura. Mathura, located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, is one of the most important pilgrimage cities in India, known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Steeped in history and mythology, Mathura is home to numerous temples, ghats, and sacred sites along the Yamuna River. The city comes alive during festivals like Holi and Janmashtami, when devotees flock to the temples to celebrate with music, dance, and vibrant processions.
| About: | Mathura is a city in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located approximately 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of Agra, and 145 kilometres (90 mi) south-east of Delhi; about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from the town of Vrindavan, and 22 kilometres (14 mi) from Govardhan. An influence administrative center of the Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh. During ancient times Mathura was well off because it had an excellent location on important caravan routes. In the 2011 census, the population of Mathura was estimated as 25,47,000 of Indians. According to Hindu scriptures, Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna, which resides within the Braj or Brij-bhoomi, namely known as Shri Krishna Janma-Bhoomi, which literally translates to ‘Lord Krishna’s birthplace.’ The Keshav Dev Temple was built in ancient times on the very site of the legendary birthplace of Krishna (an underground prison). According to the Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana epics, Mathura was the capital of the Surasena kingdom, which was ruled by Kansa, the maternal uncle of Shri Krishna. |
| History: | Mathura has an ancient history and also homeland and birthplace of Krishna who was born in Yadu dynasty. According to the Archaeological Survey of India plaque at the Mathura Museum, the city is mentioned in the oldest Indian epic, the 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, then Madhupura and later Mathura. In the 6th century BCE Mathura became the capital of the Surasena Kingdom. The city was later ruled by the Maurya empire (4th to 2nd centuries BCE). Megasthenes, writing in the early 3rd century BCE, mentions Mathura as a great city under the name Μέθορα (Méthora). It seems it never was under the direct control of the following Shunga dynasty (2nd century BCE) as not a single archaeological remain of a Shunga presence were ever found in Mathura. Mathura may have come under the control, direct or indirect, of the Indo-Greeks some time between 180 BCE and 100 BCE, and remained so as late as 70 BCE according to the Yavanarajya inscription, which was found in Maghera, a town 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Mathura. The opening of the 3 line text of this inscription in Brahmi script translates as: “In the 116th year of the Yavana kingdom…” or ‘”In the 116th year of Yavana hegemony” (“Yavanarajya”) However, this also corresponds to the presence of the native Mitra dynasty of local rulers in Mathura, in approximately the same time frame (150 BCE—50 BCE), possibly pointing to a vassalage relationship with the Indo-Greeks. |
| Geography: | Mathura is located at 27.28°N 77.41°E. It has an average elevation of 174 metres (570 feet). |
| Country : | India |
| State: | Uttar Pradesh |
| District: | Mathura |
| Language: | Hindi |
| Population: | 441,894 |
| Literacy rate: | 74.97% |
| Major Attractions to Visit: | 1. Keshav Dev Temple (Shri Krishna Janma Bhoomi) 2. Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi 3. Baldeo (Dauji Mandir) 4. Lohwan Mata Mandir 5. Shri Ratneshwar Mahadev 6. Gopinath Maharaj Mandir 7. Vishram Ghat (Bank of River Yamuna) 8. Shri Jagannath Temple Bhuteshwar Mathura 9. Prem Mandir, Vrindavan 10. Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, Vrindavan 11. Birla Mandir 12. Naam yog Sadhna Mandir (Baba Jai Gurudev Temple) 13. Banke Bihari Temple 14. Iskcon Temple. 15. Bhuteshwar Temple 16. The Udasin Kashni Ashram (Ramanrati) near Gokul (Mahaven) 17. Rangeshwar Temple. 18. Gateshwar Mahadev (Backside of Krishna Janam Bhoomi) 19. Jama Mosque, Mathura 20. Shahi-Eidgah Mosque, adjacent to Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi |