Mathura

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Mathura is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By Train

Mathura is an important railways junction. Most trains between Delhi and Agra stop in Mathura. The journey from Delhi takes 2 - 3 hours depending on the train type, while from Agra the trip takes about one hour. Most of the south bound and west bound trains stop at Mathura. August Kranti Rajdhani Express(for Mumbai) for Delhi stops at Mathura. Other than that almost all major trains from Delhi and Agra stop at Mathura. It is well connected to national capital New Delhi, state capital Lucknow and all major cities by rail.

[edit] By Road

Mathura is situated in between Delhi and Agra on National Highway 2, about 150 km south of Delhi and 50 km north of Agra.NH-2 is one of the best highways of country. Upcoming Taj expressway is in east of the city. Mathura is well connected to national capital New Delhi, state capital Lucknow and all major cities by road. Many state transport departments busses are running through Mathura.

[edit] By Air

Nearest airport is Agra (Kheria Airport); It is 50 KM from Mathura. Perhaps most of the international and domestic flights are landing into IGI Airport, New Delhi. IGI Airport is 150 KM from Mathura. Upcoming new international airport will also been accessible via Taj expressway [1.5 hr] from Mathura.

[edit] Get around

Nature Lover:

  • Kelva Dev Sanctuary, Bharatpur [35 KM West]
  • Keetham Bird Sanctuary, Keetham, NH-2 [35 KM South]
  • Back Water of Gokul Barrage [2 KM South]
  • Rural Mathura on bank of river Yamuna

Pilgrim:

  • Vrindavan [10 KM North East]
  • Goverdhan [20 KM West]
  • Gokul [10 KM East]
  • Barsana [40 KM North West]
  • Nandgaon [45KM North West ]
  • Baldeo [22 KM South East]

International Tourist:

  • Agra, City of Taj [50 KM South]
  • Fatehpur Sikiri, Capital city of Mougal King Akbar [60KM South West]
  • Jaipur, Pink City [225 KM West]
  • New Delhi [140 KM North]
  • Lucknow, City of Nawabs [300 KM East South]
  • Benares [Varanasi], City of God [500 KM East South]

[edit][add listing] See

Place to Visit in Mathura

Pilgrim:

  • Shri Krishna Janm Bhoomi [Birth Place of Lord Kirshna] Temple
  • Shri DwarikaDheesh Temple in City
  • Shri Yamuna ji Aarti in eveing at Vishram Ghat
  • Shri Ganesh Temple at Ganesh Tila
  • Brila Temple

Tourist:

  • Above mentioned places
  • Old Fort [Locally known as Kans Quila]
  • Basantar Park [in memory of the victory of Basantar [1971 war]]
  • Rifle Club of Mathura [One of its own kind club. Do not expect rifle shooting now days]
  • Lightning of Mathura Refinery in evening [if you are coming from Agra in evening than you can enjoy this beautiful scene]
  • McDonand [Asia’s biggest McDonald restaurant]

International Tourists:

  • Above mentioned places
  • Museum [Biggest and Richest in Asia for Mathura and Gandhar Sculpture]

If you are in Mathura then first thing to see is Sri Krishna Janma Bhoomi.

  • Krishna Janma Bhoomi. There is 2 main place to visit in this complex. First is a prison cell where Vasudev and Devaki, parents of Sri Krishna were held captive. This place is on the left hand side of the main complex. This is the cell were Bhagwan Sri Krishna was born hence the most sacred place in world for all the followers of Bhagwan Sri Krishna. One cannot miss the spiritual and mystical power in the cell. After darsan here visit a magnificent temple. The idol of Sri Krishna and Radha are so beautiful and has a soothing effect on the devotees. I am sure a any nonbeliever will also feel the magic. There are many other idols of gods here. Walls and ceiling are painted with some of the most events in the life of Sri Krishna. One can climb up the stairs if authority allows to get a great view of idols.
  • Jaigurudeo Temple,[1].also named "Naam Yog Sadhna Mandir" is constructed by gerat saints Baba Jaigurudeo,[2]. It resembles the Tajmahal, built with white marble. It is a unique temple in that you are prohibited from donating if you are a non-vegeterian.
  • Jama Masjid Built by Abo-inNabir-Khan in 1661.A.D. the mosque has 4 lofty minarets, with bright colored plaster mosaic of which a few panels currently exist.
  • Vishram Ghat The sacred spot where Lord Krishna is believed to have rested after slaying the tyrant Kansa.
  • Dwarkadheesh Temple : Built in 1814, it is the main temple in the town. During the festive days of Holi, Janmashthami and Diwali, it is decorated on a grandiose scale.
  • Gita Mandir Situated on the city outskirts, the temple carving and painting are a major attraction.
  • Govt. Museum Located at Dampier Park, it has one of the finest collection of archaeological interest. Rare items from the Gupta and Kushan period (400 B.C.-1200A.D.) are on display. Major attraction for tourists.
  • Mathura Jain Chorasi located on NH-2, it is the worship place of Jains. Here is the largest statue of Lord Jambu Swami & is is made up of single piece of greynite stone. This statue is about 21 feet in hight in sitting position of lord Jambu Swami.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Enjoy evening Yamuna ji ki Aarti at vishram ghat
  • Have fantastic street food [chat] in old city
  • Boating in Holy river Yamuna
  • Respect all elders and ladies in Mathura
  • Go to Vishram Ghat, on the banks of Yamuna River, see the river and huge turtles
  • If you like spirituality, enjoy Satsung or Bhagvat-Katha @ Shri Kirshna Janm Sthan
  • if you visitng Mathura in Spet - Oct, than you can enjoy Ramleela [Play act based on Lord Ram]
  • Beware of Moneys / Cows in old city streets
  • Beware of Touts
  • Do not do any Immoral activity

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • Brass/ Copper Pooja Articles
  • Pooja Articles
  • Clothes
  • Sweets
  • Milk Products
  • Souvenir Articles from Govt. Museum
  • Leather shoes from factory Outlets on NH-2 [towards Agra]
  • many more items

[edit] Where to Eat

For real Foodies, who do not mind street food.

  • Suresh ke Mangode, Samose [Ghiya Mandi, Opp Bhargava Street] [Since 5 pm]
  • Bhagvan Das ka Bhalla [Ghiya Mandi, Opp Jain Street] [Since 5 pm]
  • Brijwasi Chat Wala [Near Khadi Ashram, Tilak Dwar] [Since 5 pm]
  • Om Pahlwan Kachori wala [Near Holi Gate, Opp Brijwasi Mithai wala] [8am -11am]
  • There are many other chat walas, it depends upon your taste. I advise you to taste these chat on the vendor who are situated from Holi Gate to Chowk bazaar.

Lunch / Dinner [Indian]

  • Radha Ashok Restaurant, [NH-2 and at Highway Plaza at NH-2]
  • Royal Brijwasi Restaurant [SBI crossing, near railways station]
  • Agrawal Dhaba on NH-2
  • Many other restaurants in city
  • For budgeted and hygienic food one can go to Sri Krishna Janma Bhoomi temple just a block away from the temple complex there a canteen run by the temple trust. Here once can try Thaali's with limited and unlimited version. Taste is good and one thing for sure its more clean than any other eateries.

Snacks / Pizza / Burger etc

  • McDonald on NH-2
  • Pizza Hut on Nh-2 Hiway Plaza
  • Domino’s Pizz on Nh-2 Hiway Plaza
  • Café Coffee Day on Nh-2 Hiway Plaza

Sweet Mathura Paede (sweet made of milk and sugar)- Peda lovers can have the actual taste of Mathura Pede in Mathura from the few of the following famous sweet shops:

  • Gusai Pede Wala, near Vishram Ghat
  • Bharatpuria Halwai, Chowk Bazar
  • Brijwasi Misthan Bhandar, Chowk Bazar, Holi Gate, Sri Krishna Janam Sthan
  • Bhagwan Misthan Bhandar, Holi Gate
  • Shankar Misthan Bhandar, Holi Gate
  • Prabhudayal Misthan Bhandar, Chowk Bazar

The above are only few examples but still there are many more sweet shops preparing the actual taste of Mathura Peda. Tourists must enquire from local residents for buying good quality peda rather than cursing the taste of pedas later on. Tourists please avoid buying pede from hawkers / thelawalas.

Few other famous and tasty sweets item from Mathura are:

  • Rabadi
  • Khurchan
  • Raj Bhog
  • Khurchan Laddu

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Lassi served in a clay glass
  • Sweetened hot milk served in a clay glass
  • Jaljeera - a digestive drink.
  • Milk Badam (almonds and other dryfruits minced in chilled milk)

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Hotel Rahi [ITDC] Ph: +915652407822
  • International Guest House, Krishna Janm Bhoomi Ph: +915652405888
  • Hotel Best Western Radha Ashok Ph: +915652530396
  • Hotel Madhuvan Ph: +915652404064
  • Hotel Goverdhan Palace Ph: +915652409919
  • Hotel Brijwasi Royal
  • Hotel Mukund Palace
  • Hotel Mansarovar Palace Ph: +915652408686
  • Hotel Dwaper Resorts on NH-2
  • Country Inn, Kosi, NH-2 Ph: +915662232445
  • Many small budget guest houses
  • Many good Motels are also available on NH-2

[edit] Get out

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