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Mathura is well-known as the abode of Lord Krishna, where he spent his childhood, adolescent years and some part of his adulthood too. Well known as Brij Bhoomi, Mathura is one of the sacred places in India where the presence of many Hindu temples can be noted. Situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, Mathura is known for its history, epigraphy, religion, archaeology, iconography, numismatics, art and sculpture. Mathura is near Agra, and the people are very friendly and easy going and are always up for helping tourists as much as they can. The main languages of Mathura are Brijbhasi and Hindi. Mathura is not only a renowned hub for the Hindu religion, but Islam has also been commemorated here.
The reason why there are so many religious sites in Mathura is that it was once home to Sri Krishna. Krishna is considered as the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. Mathura plays a major role in history too, since it has been connected to the well-known courageous queen named Rani Laxmi Bai, who fought against the British in the 1857 rebellion Mathura is not only home to many Hindu temples but also is a favourite destination among the Buddhists for once being a major Buddhist site.
Visitors can listen to the melodious sound of flutes throughout the city and experience an amazing feeling of love and dedication. Holi is the most popular festival in Mathura and millions of people all around the world come to Mathura just to enjoy the great joy and enthusiasm of this colourful festival. You will find many accommodation options here too, starting from luxury hotels to guesthouses to dharamshalas to BNBs, and you can choose as per your taste and budget. The specialty of Mathura lies in the foods it offers too, including pera, jalebies, lassi, and kachoris and you must try these sweets while travelling to Mathura. Keep in mind that most of the temples of Mathura do not allow mobile phones and cameras, so try avoiding these while entering any temple’s vicinity.
Spending some time in these religious sites in Mathura may offer solace to your soul and an opportunity to seek divine blessings.
The Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, also simply called the Krishna Janmabhoom or Krishna Janmasthan, is one of the holy places to visit in Mathura. The temple is said to have been built by the Hindu god Krishna’s grandson, Vajra. According to Hindu legend, Mathura is said to be the birthplace of the Lord Krishna, and locals believe that the temple was made 5,000 years ago. The mythical Yadava king is credited for its creation but was later destroyed by Aurangzeb, with the next temple only being built in 1965 after a long political dispute that is still ongoing. This is the fourth temple that you see today, but the historical centre of this place remains unchanged. You can still see the ancient prison cell where it is believed that Krishna was born, on a dark, stormy and rainy night.
Timings: 5:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM; Monday to Sunday
About of 4 km from Mathura Junction Railway Station, Dwarkadheesh Temple is one of the oldest and largest temples in Mathura and among the top sacred places. It is located near the banks of river Yamuna, close to Vishram Ghatand, and is one of the most visited places in Mathura. The main attraction of the temple is Lord Dwarkadheesh who is another form of Lord Krishna. This temple is also famous by other names like Jagat Mandir or Nija Mandir. The temple was built by Seth Gokuldas Parikh, who was a great devotee of Lord Krishna and erected the shrine to commemorate the deity. It is known for its beautiful architecture, carvings, and paintings. The building has five storeys and is supported by seventy-two pillars. The main shrine has the images of Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha and other Hindu gods. The idol of Lord Dwarkadheesh is made from shiny black stone and it has four hands carrying a mace, a Sudarshana Chakra, a conch and a lotus flower.
Timings: 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9.30 PM; Monday to Sunday
One of the holy places to visit in Mathura, Gita Mandir on the Mathura-Vrindavan road is a marvellous work of craftsmanship. This temple has been built by the Birla group and is famed as Birla Mandir in Mathura. It features inscriptions from the holy book of the Hindus, the Gita. The central chamber has the ornamented statue of Lord Krishna. There are other statues of Lord Rama and Devi Sita. There are also the idols of Lord Narayan and Devi Laxmi. There are a number of government and private tour operators that are working on roping in as many tourists as possible. The temple has a beautiful architecture accompanied by eye-catching paintings, and the walls are also decorated with splendid drawings all around. This temple is huge in size and looks wonderful in red sandstone. The temple area also boasts of marble stone figures of Lord Indra on his elephant, horses, tortoise and a chariot with Lord Krishna as its driver, and Arjuna as the passenger. The serene and lush green atmosphere of the temple provides ultimate peace to the devotees visiting the temple.
Timings: 5:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM; Monday to Sunday
The Jugal Kishore temple is situated near Kesi Ghat is another one of the religious sites in Mathura. It is sometimes called the Kesighata temple, as it is located next to this ghat. Kesi Ghat is a place where Lord Krishna had killed Kesi, who was the horse demon. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu, who goes by the name of Lord Sri Ranganatha or Rangji. The idol of Vishnu can be seen lying on the Seshnag. The architecture of this temple has a remarkable resemblance with those glorious South Indian temples. It was built by the wealthy Seth family of Mathura in 1851. Apart from the Rajput style entrance gate, the temple also boasts of 15-meter-high golden pillars.
Timings: 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Monday to Sunday
If you are looking for the oldest sacred places in Mathura, check out the Kesava Rao Temple. It is believed to be thousands of years old and is said to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Hence, it is a must-visit temple in Mathura and Vrindavan. It is also believed that a trip to these holy towns is always deemed incomplete without visiting Kesava Deo Temple and paying respects to Lord Krishna. As the temple has been attacked several times by the Muslim rulers in the past, you cannot find its original building today. The major festivals celebrated here include Lathmar Holi and Krishna Janmashtami.
Timings: 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM; Monday to Sunday
This is another gorgeous beauty in the sacred town of Vrindavan, in the historical city of Mathura. Banke Bihari Temple was constructed during the late 18th century in the Rajasthan style of architecture and since then, it has been a prominent site of worship amongst Hindus. It is one of the seven significant temples in the town and hence, it is a must-visit pilgrimage destination for every follower of Lord Krishna. As it is frequented by millions of devotees, it is also one of the richest temples in Uttar Pradesh.
Timings: 7:45 AM to 12:00 PM and 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM; Monday to Sunday
The temple is located in Bhuteshwar Tiraha in Mathura and is among the sacred places you should explore. The presiding deity of Lord Shiva is referred to as Bhuteshwar Mahadev. Mahadev ji’s ancient Mahadev Linga is also established here. After the defeat of Madhu demon, the temple of Shri Bhuteshwar Mahadev ji was established. There is also a shaktipeeth of Devi inside the temple campus where ringlet of Mata Sati fell. The temple is situated in a narrow street but just a few steps away from the main road, so you will find a parking space easily. In Shri Bhuteshwar Mahadev Temple, Mother Kali, Shri Patal Devi, Shri Giriraj Maharaj and other beautiful temples are situated. Pilgrims visit the shrine to offer prayers on auspicious occasions, such as Shivratri.
Timings: 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:30 AM to 10:30 PM; Monday to Sunday
Located right opposite Maa Gayatri Tapobhumi, Chamunda Devi Temple in Mathura is one of the most important spiritual retreats to visit in India. This event is also mentioned in the sacred text of Shrimad Bhagwat. It is believed that in Satyug, Lord Krishna offered salvation to a python after which he went to seek blessings from Maa Chamunda here. The temple is also believed to be a meditation centre for Sage Shandilya and Sri Gorakhnath also attained knowledge here. The major attraction of this place is that the Chamunda Devi Temple does not have any idol inside.
Timings: 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Monday to Sunday
Apart from the above-mentioned temples, there are several lesser known shrines in holy Mathura. The religious flavour of Mathura is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu along with Lord Shiva. Some of the lesser known religious sites in Mathura are Yamuna Krishna Mandir, Narasimha temple, Mukut temple, Murali Manohar temple, and many more. Each temple holds special importance in Hinduism and sees many Hindu pilgrims. The best thing about the city is its simplicity openness to modernization. So, if you are seeking some spiritual enlightenment and want to get away from the rush of the city life, do visit Mathura.
You can plan your visit any time of the year but the best time for Mathura trip will be during the month of March. You will surely enjoy the festival of Holi and get to make many beautiful memories of your trip.
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April 15, 2024 
