Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh has an ancient history and is famous as the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
Historical Significance
Mathura’s history can be traced to more than two thousand years ago. IT was ruled by the Surasens, Mauryas, Sungas and Indo Greeks. Art and culture flourished under Kushan dynasty. The city was invaded and ransacked by Mahmud of Ghazni and SikandarLodhi. Aurangzeb later built a mosque very near the actual birthplace of Krishna.
Mathura: Religious Centre Famous for SpiritualityHeritageand Education
The Mathura Krishna Janmabhoomi temple attracts millions of devotees every year. There is another bigger temple devoted to Krishna, a little further away , and a few other temples including a Jain temple. The presence of numerous temples and the history attached to it, make Mathura a favoured destination for pilgrims and heritage lovers.
The city also boasts premier educational establishments like the R C A Girls’ College. There are several engineering colleges located here, making Mathura a student’s delight.
Culture
The ethos of Mathura revolves around Krishna: his birth, life and his antics. This ‘Braj’ culture is expressed in the colourful way of life, like making floral carpets, raasiya (songs depicting Radha-Krishna’s love), Holi celebration (with colours, drums called dholak, and water) and the RaasLeelas (dance of Krishna and Gopis). The language spoken is Brajbhasha, a dialect of Hindi). Charkula, a dance where the female dancer balances a column of diyas (little lamps) on her hands while dancing to the Raasiya songs, is also very popular. Milk and milk products, lassis,and the famous Mathura pedas are among the renowned delicacies.
Climate and best Time to Visit
October to March is ideal as summers can be unbearable.
HOW TO REACH MATHURA :
AIR – The closest international air terminal to Mathura is situated in Delhi, 147 km away. The nearest domestic airport is Kheria airport situated in Agra about 49 km from the city. Taxicabs are accessible to Mathura from both these air terminals.
TRAIN – Mathura railways connect the city to most major urban areas like Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. Rail routes are the easiest and most practical method of reaching Mathura. Prepaid cabs are readily accessible to all areas.
ROAD – Public expressways connect Mathura to major significant urban areas in the State. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation gives a decent number of transport vehicles to Kanpur, Agra, Delhi and Lucknow. A decent number of private and public bus services are also available to Mathura.
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