Mathura

Mathura is a glorious city which has the fortune of hosting the birth of Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Mathura is one of the sapta moksha puris. It is revered as one of the Divya Deshams of the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya. And more than anything this city is Vaikuntha itself as confirmed in the Gopala Tapani Upanishad,

“As on the summit of Mount Sumeru there are seven cities that fulfill all desires, so even on earth are seven cities that fulfill desires and grant liberation. Among them the city of Gopala Puri is directly the spiritual world. Protected by my chakra, this city of Mathura stands in this world as a lotus stands on a lake.”

harir api bhajamaanebhyah praayo muktim-dadaati na tu bhaktim
vihita-tad-unnati-satram-maathure dhanyam-naamaami tvaam

O Mathura, I offer by respectful pranams to you. You are glorious because you award the sacrifice of gradual advancement in devotional service, which Sri Hari does not personally give to those who worship Him but rather awards them liberation.

The city of Mathura needs no introduction. Saura Purana states, “Here is the place named Mathura, famous in the three worlds. Its pathways are purified by the dust from the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. Simply by its touch people can attain salvation from the miseries and bondage of the material world.”

Mathura has been existing even before Lord Sri Krishna

Mathurapuri has been existing even before the birth of Lord Sri Krishna. It was well known as the holiest city in the land of Bharatavarsha. The city of Mathura was established by King Ayu of the Chandra Vamsha during the fifth Treta-yuga of the current Vaivasvata Manavantara. Later Shatrughna reestablished Mathura city after killing Lavanasura. The current Mathura city has been constructed over the ruins of the city established by Shatrugna.

Just like the other cities, Mathura also faced the attack of Aurangzeb and other Muslim rulers. Even Greeks did not spare this city. The first attack on Mathura was launched in 150 BCE by Greek armies and then by Turko-Iranian, then White Huns, then Mahmud of Gazni, then Sikanda Lodhi and then by Aurangzeb in 1669 BCE. In 1759 CE by Ahmad Khan Abdali and finally by British until 1947 CE.

At the time of Lord Krishna, Mathurapuri was ruled over by Maharaja Ugrasena. Mathurapuri is situated on the western bank of the River Yamuna within the Madhuvana, one of the twelve sacred forests of Vrajabhumi. It is mentioned in the scriptures having a shape of crescent-moon as created by River Yamuna.

Padma Purana states that only when a person becomes purified through meditation, pious activities, and austerities, only then can one attain the darshana of Krishna’s auspicious Mathurapuri. Others cannot see it in thousands of kalpas.

This holy city is ornamented by the ghats majestically constructed on the banks of River Yamuna. These ghats are also called as the Tirthas of River Yamuna. There are at least twenty five ghats in Mathura which are glorified in the shastras. Bath in every ghat will award pure love of Krishna. May prominent personalities starting from Bramha, Shiva, Ambarisha Maharaja, Bali Maharaja, Dhruva Maharaja, sages like Durvasa Muni, Parashara, have performed snana on these sacred ghats.

Devotees perform the parikrama of this sacred city on every Ekadashi to pay their respects. The outer parikrama of Mathura is known as Pancha Koshi Parikrama around ten miles long. It is also performed by devotees on Purnima, Amavasya, Akshaya Navami. Karthika Masa and Vaishakha Masa are very crowded when an ocean of devotees performs parikrama of Mathura city.

Places to visit in Mathurapuri

There are many temples or holy places to be visited in this holy city starting from the celebrated birth place of Lord Sri Krishna, the Keshava Deva temple and many more temples connected to the lilas of Lord Sri Krishna until He departed to Dwarka at the time of Jarasandha’s last attack. Some of the prominent holy places are:

Sri Krishna Janmabhumi

This is the celebrated birthplace of Lord Sri Krishna. As we have read the Srimad-Bhagavatam Purana and other holy scriptures, Vasudeva and Devaki were locked away in the prison by Kamsa after he heard the prophecy about his death. Year after year Devaki gave birth to eight sons and one daughter.

At the time of Lord Krishna’s birth, firstly the Lord appeared in the mind of Devaki and then gave her darshan in Keshava Svarupa – the four handed form just to assure them that He is the same Supreme Personality of Godhead. On the request of Devaki, He converted Himself into a small boy and was carried by Vasudeva to Gokul.

There are two birthplaces of Lord Sri Krishna in Mathura. The original birthplace and the new birthplace which is most famous currently and visited by everyone.

Keshav Dev Temple

Keshav Dev Temple has been the landmark temple of Mathura since the birth of Lord Sri Krishna. Unfortunately it is no more famed the amidst devotees, as the temple has been reduced to a very small place from the its previous glorious position. It was so famed that it became the object of the envy by the Muslim Rulers who razed it down multiple times. Today nothing remains of this glorious temple and the original vigraha is stolen.

Vishram Ghat

This is the predominating ghat amidst the twenty five ghats in this city. After killing Kamsa, Lord Sri Krishna dragged his body all the way till this place, took bath here in the River Yamuna and rested for a while. Even Lord Varaha rested here after lifting bhumi devi from the nether parts of the ocean. This is a very celebrated tirtha mentioned in all the Puranas.

How to reach Mathura?

The city is part of the Vrajabhumi Yatra organized by the Tirtha Yatra – an exclusive tour covering the holy places in Vrajabhumi extensively like no other Tour Operator. You can visit all the tirthas in the city without having to search them.

By Air: The nearest Airport is New Delhi or Agra. From there you may hire a taxi or travel in train to Mathura.

By Rail: The city is connected by trains from almost all the major Indian cities.

By Road: The city is also connected by State Transport buses or private buses from the nearby major districts of the State.