Mathura City in Uttar Pradesh, India, was once an economic hub for caravan routes. As it’s also considered Lord Krishna’s birthplace, Hindus regard the city as a sacred place. Mathura is home to numerous historical and religious sites. While on tour, do not fail to visit the Shri Krishan Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Plan your itinerary between October and March, when weather conditions are ideal for sightseeing. In March, Hindus celebrate Holi, an ancient festival of colors celebrating good overcoming evil. At the Tilak Dwar market or Holy Gate, test your bargaining skills on brass statues, rosary beads, and embroidered artworks for sale. If you’re planning a trip to this holy city, be sure to check out some Oyo rooms and hotels in Mathura for your accommodation needs. But before that, scroll down to find out the top things Mathura is famous for.
Good to know:
- According to Incredible India, the official tourism website for the country, the closest airport to Mathura is Agra's Kheira Airport, which is about 50 km (31.07 mi) away.
- The best time to visit Mathura if you're planning on outdoors on most days is from late March to early May and from late September to late October, according to Weather Spark.
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1. Kusum Sarovar
Kusum Sarovar features a water reservoir surrounded by magnificent sandstone buildings. A flight of stairs leads on to the pond, where you can take a dip or swim in the emerald green water. Behind the buildings bordering the water body is a forest filled with traditional Indian flowers like campaka, yuthi, and chameli. Hindus believe that Lord Krishan collected these flowers and used them to make garlands. A host of temples adorns the vicinity. Beautiful paintings that depict Krishna’s life are a must-see. In the evening, you can watch the sunset while sitting under the iconic Kadamb tree where Krishna used to play.
Kusum Sarovar
Address: Govardhan Hill between Manasi Ganga and Radha Kund, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh
2. Wildlife SOS - Elephant Conservation and Care Center
Posted by Wasif Shaikh on Sunday, 15 March 2020
Experience the heartwarming and inspiring work of Elephant Conservation & Care Center in Mathura, which creates a safe haven for abused elephants. A visit to this amazing sanctuary is an eye-opener to people of all ages on how cruel human beings are to these gentle giants. Aside from seeing the injured elephants being taken care of, an educational video is presented to visitors showing the different struggles of elephants. Every visitor will leave the place sure of never taking an elephant ride ever again.
Wildlife SOS - Elephant Conservation and Care Center
Address: Near Sachdeva Institute of Technology, Thurmura Ghari, NH2, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh 281122, Agra, India
Website: Wildlife SOS - Elephant Conservation and Care Center
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
3. Birthplace of Lord Krishna
As the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Hindus believe that the deity was born in Mathura at a site where the Kesava Deo Temple presently stands. Kesava Deo Temple is part of a group of holy buildings that make up the Krishna Janmasthan Temple complex. A visit to these temples reveals the architectural grandeur of ancient India. In a twist of humor, you will encounter monkeys that grab your personal things only to return them for fruit juice. While on tour, take a break and sample the local tea served in a container known as a kulhad.
4. Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple (Kesava Deo Temple) (from USD 196.0)
As a pilgrim place for Hindus, Mathura’s fame stems from it being Lord Krishna’s birthplace. Apart from being a pilgrimage town, it is part of the seven cities regarded as sacred places in India. The Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple (also known as Kesava Deo Temple) is the most important place of worship in Mathura. A small fortress in the building is the exact spot where Krishna was born. Legend has it that Krishna’s mother gave birth there while in captivity. Kansa, a tyrant who ruled at the time, held Krishna’s parents’ captive in an underground prison. Spreading outward is the Kesava Deo temple; it has murals depicting how Krishna lived here.
Krishna Janambhoomi & Holy Goverdhan Parikrama from Delhi
Duration: 12 hours
5. Lord Dwarikadheesh Temple
A must-visit in Mathura, Lord Dwarikadheesh Temple, is one of the oldest and largest temples in the city. Built in the Rajasthani style of architecture, various aspects of the life of Lord Krishna are depicted in the beautiful and colorful paintings on the temple’s ceiling. Situated on the banks of Yamuna river, visitors can buy flowers to offer at the temple and take a dip or float in the river too.
Lord Dwarikadheesh Temple
Address: Raja Dhiraj Bazar Road, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh 281001, India
Opening hours: 6:30am - 11am, 3:30pm - 7pm (daily)
Price: free
6. Shiv Tal
Another attraction in this heritage city is Shiv Tal, a kund (reservoir) believed to be holy because this was where Lord Krishna’s clothes were washed in ancient times. There are several other kunds in the area, which are mostly built of red sandstone and consist of many stairs. Legend states that there were originally 159 kunds here but only four exist today, including Shiv Tal, Saraswati kund, Balbhadra, and a nameless kund.
Shiv Tal
Address: Shiv Tal Kund, Sonkh Adda, Near Mukund Palace, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: free
7. Katra Masjid
Another significant holy place in the city, Katra Masjid - Mathura is a mosque with four towers built in the Mughal architectural style. With an unparalleled architecture and designs that are excellently carved, one could say that the mosque was built by the best architects of its era. It is truly a must-visit spot for those who appreciate sophisticated architectural designs. The mosque sits directly beside Krishna Janmasthan Temple, the new version of the original Kesava Deo temple.
Katra Masjid - Mathura
Address: Deeg Marg, Janam Bhumi, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh 281001, India
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: free
8. Vishram Ghat
A “ghat” is a bathing place — and Vishram Ghat, nestled along the banks of River Yamuna, is the main one. According to Hindu beliefs, Krishna relaxed at this ghat following his victory over Kansa, an evil demon king. While resting, Lord Krishna also took a bath. Elegant temples line up the area. In the evening, devotees hold a prayer ceremony called the aarti, featuring small floating oil lamps. As they drift, the river comes alive with hundreds of flickering lights. You must not miss this beautiful sight.
Vishram Ghat
Address: Vishram Bazar, Choubey Para, Gol Pada, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, 281001, India
9. Government Museum
Government Museum contains an array of archaeological artifacts, coins, paintings, and sculptures. The museum building is a work of art, thanks to its octagonal shape with a red sandstone finish. As an art enthusiast, you will love the numerous sculptures of Buddha, and that of the headless Kanishka holding a sword and sheath. Multiple terracotta pieces, plaques, and images from a civilization that spans over 3,000 years are another highlight of the museum. Besides the creativity depicted in its displays, the museum provides information that helps visitors understand what the art forms stand for as well as their origins. Without visiting the Government Museum, your trip to Mathura is incomplete.
Government Museum, Mathura
Address: Museum Road, Dampier Nagar, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh 281001, India
Website: Government Museum, Mathura
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10:30am - 4:30pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: 0.34 USD for Foreigners; 0.07 USD for Adults; 0.03 USD for Children
10. Mathura ke Pede
Mathura ke Pede is a traditional Indian delicacy made from clarified butter, sugar, milk powder, mawa, and flavored with cardamom powder. During preparation, all the ingredients are mixed and stirred thoroughly. After that, the mixture is boiled to syrup before being allowed to cool. Once settled, it is shaped and garnished with cardamom powder and seeds. Mathura ke Pede has a distinct light brown color. It is a popular sweet among the locals and globally famous among tourists. You, too, must indulge in this confectionery that is synonymous with the city of Mathura. Feel the sweetness melt inside your mouth and buy a box or two for later.
11. Tilak Dwar Market
At the colorful Tilak Dwar Market, you will find an array of religious artifacts, including brass statutes, embroidered pieces, weaved beads, sculptures, and paintings. Carry a few as souvenirs or to decorate your house. You can get these items at reasonable prices. The are many sweet shops dotting the area; make sure to drop by one of them and try the freshly made sweets. Besides, there are several places of worship in the market - Vishram Ghat and Dwarikadhish temple are particularly noteworthy.
Tilak Dwar Market
Address: Tilak Dwar, Mathura.
Opening hours: 11am - 9pm (daily)
12. Lathmar Holi
Lathmar Holi, a Hindu festival in Mathura, recreates a legend. The tale has it that Lord Krishna visited his friend, Radha, who resided in Barsana town. At one point during the visit, Krishna indulged Radha in a teasing game, and in response, she took offense. Accompanied by her friends, she fought back and drove Lord Krishna out of the town. To keep the legend alive, every year, men drenched in color, visit Barsana. Upon arrival, they encounter women who hurl sticks at them. Locals call these sticks “lathi.” In the process, the women capture some of these men and force them to dance while dressed in female attire. An exciting aspect of Lathmar Holi is that it lasts for a week or two.
13. Sati Burj
An attractive monument built in red sandstone, Sati Burj, deserves a visit among the many stunning temples and monuments of Mathura. The four stories, 17 meters (55 feet) tall tower was erected in 1570 AD, in commemoration of the death of the widow of Raja Biharimal of Amer. She performed the ancient Hindu ritual of ‘sati’ sacrifice after the death of her husband. Sati Burj is not only rich in a religious and historical sense but also visually appealing and very picturesque.
Sati Burj
Address: Ghat Kinara Rd, Gol Pada, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh 281001, India
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: free
14. Braj Holi
Braj Holi is similar, in all aspects, to the Holi festivity in Lathmar. Celebrations start a few days earlier than the rest of India. Of all festivities in this country, Holi is the most colorful. In Braj, the festival involves song and dance with performances themed around Lord Krishna’s life. The Brijwasi dress in their most colorful attire before converging at Vrindavan, the town center. As dance songs play in the background, the locals dance while splashing colored water on one another. Residents decorate their houses, streets, and temples. Everywhere you go, you will see colorfully decorated streets. Also, you can enjoy freely distributed sweets.
15. Kans Qila
Located on the banks of Yamuna river, Kans Qila was the home of Lord Krishna’s maternal uncle, the demon, Kansa. Aside from being built over a large area, the fort’s walls are highly fortified. The beautiful blend of Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture seen in the fort resulted from the passing of its ownership to several rulers. It is said that an observatory, though no sign of it can be seen now, was built in the fort by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur.
Kans Qila
Address: Ratankund, Chowk Bazar, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh 281001, India
Opening hours: Sun - Fri: 7am - 5pm; Sat: 7am - 7pm
Price: free
16. Holi Gate
A major landmark in Mathura is Holi Gate, the entryway to the old city of Mathura. The gateway showcases elements of beautiful architecture and intricate carvings. This massive gateway is surrounded by a large number of activities. This is also the venue for the celebration of a major festival, Holi, otherwise known as the festival of colors. Hindus consider this site as a great part of their cultural and religious heritage. Hence, it is often used as a place to celebrate important events. The best time to visit Holi Gate is during festivals, but if that’s not possible, then a selfie taken at this huge entryway is definitely worth posting on all your social media platforms!
Holi Gate
Address: Mathura, Uttar Pradesh 281001
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: free
Explore the sacred city of Mathura
As Lord Krishna’s birthplace, Mathura is no doubt a holy city. Nothing depicts this more than the dozens of temples with their unique architecture. There are plenty of things to do in Mathura. Be there when the myths unfold, let the colors of Holi brighten your day, and get fascinated by the attractions that make Mathura famous.
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