Mathura is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. It is a part of great northern plains in India. Being located on the western bank of river Yamuna, Mathura is 147 km from Delhi and 47 km from Agra. It is a famous pilgrim spot for Hindus. There is a belief that Lord Krishna, an important deity in Hinduism was born in this city. It is one of the seven sacred cities in the country. Mathura is a famous center of arts and crafts.

History:
The history of Mathura (or Brajbhoomi) is eventful. According to per Hindu mythology, this place is said to be birthplace of Lord Vishnu’s incarnation named Lord Krishna. This city is surrounded by the area named “Vrindavan”. These two places are considered to be the venue of the childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. This ancient city is mentioned in the great Indian epic Mahabharata. Later it was ruled by king Ashoka, the great Mauryan emperor. In the third century B.C, king Ashoka built lots of Buddhist monuments in and around the city. Later the Mauryan empire declined and so Buddhism also declined.

Later Hinduism took over Mathura. But in the 11th century AD, all these Buddhist and Hindu shrines were destroyed by Mahmud Ghazni. Sikandar Lodhi, Sultan of Delhi also plundered the city in the 15th century. Later the city was handed over to Mughal emperor Aurangazeb. In 1757 Ahmed Shah Abdali, an Afghani, ruled the city. The British started their rule in 1804.

Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi:
The birthplace (Janmabhoomi) of Lord Krishna is an important and famous pilgrim spot in Mathura. It has a stone slab which marks the birthplace of Lord Krishna. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna was born in a small room where his parents were held as prisoners by a tyrant called Kamsa.

Earlier the Kesava Deo temple had a room which was considered as the birthplace of Lord Krishna. However, this temple was demolished and a mosque was built in its place by the Mughal ruler Aurangazeb.

Archeological Museum:
Travelers must visit this museum in Mathura which contains a large collection of sculptures which belongs to the ancient Mathura school of art.

Vishram Ghat:
This is located on the bank of river Yamuna. It is another important place to be visited by tourists. It is believed that the tyrant Kamsa was killed by Lord Krishna at this place.

Jama Masjid:
This masjid was built by Nabir Khan in 1661. It has beautiful minarets along with the imprints of bright colored plaster mosaic. Tourists should never miss this mosque in their mystic tour of Mathura.

Dwarkadheesh Temple:
This temple was built in the year 1814 on the banks of river Yamuna. It is the most attractive temple in the city. The followers of Vallabhacharya have been maintaining the temple for a long time now. It has intricate carvings and paintings. Its architectural features are fabulous.

Vrindhavan:
This place is closely linked with the childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. Being located just 10 km away from Mathura, it has more than 4000 temples.

Gokul: 
Being situated 16 km south of Mathura, this place is believed to be where Lord Krishna was raised secretly.

Govardhan:
It is located 25 km west of Mathura. It is said that Lord Krishna protected all the local people from a heavy rain by lifting the Govardhan hill like an umbrella with just a single finger.

Barsana:
This is the birthplace of Lord Krishna’s consort Radha. It is worth visiting the place. Here the Holi festival is celebrated in a unique way. Barsana is located 50 km northwest of Mathura.

Mathura is well connected by railhead and road with other parts of India. The nearest airport is at Delhi.