Mathura Kshetram

This is again recalling epic Ramayana. Once upon a time there was a kingdom called Madu and was ruled by a demon named Lavanasuran. He was very cruel and troubling all sages and citizens of Madu.

One day all the citizens and sages went to Sri Rama and appealed to him to solve their problems. Rama sent his brother Satrukana and he destroyed the demon . After that Satrukana made the kingdom very big and he ruled over it for many years later the kingdom passed on to the heirs of Vasudeva.

Sri Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva but was brought up by Yasodha. There are very many aspects to him. As a child he played his pranks in Gokulam. He was a cow-herd. He saved the city from a deluge by raising Govardahana hill as an umbrella. He was the solace, adviser and messenger to the Pandavas. His life from an young age was in destroying evil - Boothaki, Kamsa, and then the 100 Duryodhana brothers. He revealed Gita to Arjuna. He was a preacher to the whole world .

Cetasa sarvakarmani

Mayi samnyasa matparah

Buddiyogam upasritya

Maccittah satatam bhava.

Meaning:- Surrendering in thought all actions to me. regarding me as the supreme and resorting to steadfastness in understanding, do thou fix thy thought constantly on me. Essence of this:- "Be always one with me in heart, will and consciousness." A perfect self-giving to the Universal Lord makes him the spirit of our life.

Temple features:

Deity in sanctum Balakrishna east facing standing pose , Consort of Vishnu in sanctum Sri Satyabama-Thayar .Tower is called Sri Govardhana- Vimanam Holi tanks are Indira-Theertham, Govardhana-Theertham and River Yamuna. Devotees who have seen the god here Gopis, Indiradhi devas, Vasudever, Devaki,Yasodha and Kamsa Devotional song sung on the deity by Thirumangai-alzhwar,Namazhwar, Periyalzhawar Andal Thondaradi-Podiyar

Mathura has contributed a lot towards Indian Culture through its rich heritage. The the the culture of Mathura is the ancient fundamental Nature, and the whole of Brajj mandal is influence of Sri Krishna and his tales. Mathura sees heightened activities during the major celebrations dedicated to Sri Krishna.

The Brajj culture has been expressed widely through various practices.

Sanjhee is the colorful art of decorating the ground with flowers.

Rasiya is a tradition that is integral to Mathura's culture. It is the tradition of folk-songs that describe the love of the divine couple Radha and Krshna. It is an inseparable part of the Holi celebrations and all other festive occasions at Mathura. (Dhulendi – Holy with drums  (dolak), colours, etc. originated from Braj region hundreds of millennia before today.)

Rasa Leela  of Mathura have become an integral part of Indian Folklore.Sri  Krshna had danced the Raasa with gopis on banks of Yamuna river.

Charkula is a traditional folk dance of the Braj. In this dance, a woman balances a column of deepikas on her head and dances to the accompaniment of Rasiya songs by the menfolk.

The language spoken in the Brajj Mandal is mainly Hindi which is spoken in a different dialect. This dialect is characteristic with the Braj region and known as Brajbhasha. Before Hindi and until past few centuries, Brajbhasha used to be the dominant language in literature.

Mathura is one of the seven most holy places in India.

Ayodhyā,  Mathurā,  Māyā Kāsi,  Kāñchī , Avantikā I

Purī Dvārāvatī chaiva saptaitā moksadāyikāh II -

The other  Important temples to visit close to Mathura Temple Sri  Krishna Janmaboomi.  This temple complex located in heart of city of Mathura. consider it as one of the most sacred place as they believe that the temple stands on the same place where Lord Sri Ktishna was born. The complex have a Keshavdev temple where spiritual environment could be felt during morning prayer (Mangla Harthi). The temple complex have a museum, where numerous articles excavated from the site related to story of Sri Krishna’a birth are displayed. 

Gita Mandir: This temple is situated at a distance of nearly five kilometers from Mathura Junction (in way of Vrindaban from Matura city) is popular attractions of Mathura. The magnificent templer was built by Birla, .The excellent architecture of the temple attracts tourists from all over India. The whole of Bhagavat Gita, , is written on the temple. Beautiful carvings and paintings enhance the beauty of the temple. There is a beautiful image of Lord Krishna is present in the sanctum of the Temple.  

Rangaji Temple: This temple is located in Vrindhavan is built in 1851 is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha or Rangaji depicted as Lord Vishnu in his sheshashayi pose. . The temple built in the Dravidian style has a tall tower (gopuram ) of six Stages and a gold plated Dhwaja stambham, is 50 feet high. A tank (Kulam) and a picturesque garden lie within the temple enclosure. The temple is also famous for its Brahmotsdavam' celebration during the month of Chaitra (March - April), more popularly known as the `Rath ka Mela'. The ten day long celebrations are marked by the pulling of the ratham (the chariot car) by the devotees from the temple to the adjoining gardens. 

Radharamana Temple:  This temple is another name of Sri Krishna. The seva puja of Radharamana was established in 1542, after the Deity self-manifested from a saligram-sila. Also kept in this temple is the wooden sitting place (hoki) and shawl (chaddar) or Lord Chaitanya, that he gave as a gift to Gopala Bhatta Gosvami who built the temple. There is no deity of Radha Devi in this temple, but a crown is kept next to Krishna signifying her presence.  

Shaji Temple: It is another popular temple in Vrindavan, was designed and built in 1876 by a wealthy jeweller, Shah Kundan Lal of Lucknow. The deities at the temple are popularly known as the Chhote Radha Ramana. Noted for its magnificent architecture and beautiful marble sculpture, the temple has twelve spiral columns each 15 feet high. The `Basanti Kamra' - the darbar hall is famed for its Belgian glass chandeliers and fine paintings. 

PreamMandir: This temple is the most beautiful and clean, religious and spiritual complex situated on a 54-acre site on the outskirts of Vrindavan, is one of the newest temples dedicated to Sri Krishna. The temple structure was established by spiritual guru Kripalu Maharaj The main structure built in marble looks incredibly beautiful and is an educational monument that reflects the true history of Sanatana Dharma. Figures of Shri Krishna and his followers depicting important events surrounding the Lord’s existence cover the main temple.  

Sri Vrindavan-Chandra Mandir: This temple is located in Vrindavan, is a replica of that supreme Goloka Vrindavana in the spiritual sky. It was inaugurated in 2006 on the most bright day of Sri Rama Navami day. The temple is housed in an ultra-modern pertaining to the geometry of curved surfaces with a traditional gopuram based on khajuraho style of architecture, greeting pilgrims at the entrance. The major festivals of the temple are Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Sri Radhashtami, Kartik Fest (7-day festival during Govardhan Puja time) and Gaura Purnima. Grand abhishekams are performed for Sri Radha Vrindavan- during festivals on Radhashtami and Janmashtami day.

Sri Radha Ras Bihari Ashta Sakhi Temple:  This temple is located In Vrindavan, the "Leela Sthan" (the place of the divine passion play) of Lord Krishna, lies the temple that is a must visit destination for devotees completing the 84 kosh Vraj Parikrama Yatra. The temple is centuries old and is the first temple that is dedicated to the divine couple and their Ashta Sakhi’s - the eight "companions" of Radha who were intimately involved in her love play with the Lord Krishna. The Ashta Sakees   are mentioned in the Bhagavata Puranam . The temple is called Shree Radha Ras Bihari Ashta Sakhi Mandir and it is home to the divine Rasa leela of Lord Krishna and Radha. It is located in close  to the Banke Bihari Temple . Legend has it that the Sri Radha Rasa Behari Ashta Sakhi Mandir is one of the two places in Mathura, Vrindavan where the Lord Krishna actually indulges in the Rasa Leela with  Radha and her sakees. On these nights, devotees have reported hearing the sound of the anklets, beating in tune to a divine melody. One must visit this temple without fail.   

Ghat : Vishram Ghat is a bath and worship place, on the banks of river Yamuna. It is the main ghat of Mathura city and is central to 25 other ghats. The traditional Parikrama starts and ends at Vishram Ghat. Lord Sri Krishna is said to have rested at this place after killed Kamsa..

Kesi Ghat: on the Yamuna river. The word "Radha" is repeatedly written on the side in the Devanagari alphabet. In Hindu mythology Kesi ghat is believed to be the same place where Lord Krishna killed the Kesi demon who appeared in the form of a gigantic horse and then took his bath in this very same ghat. This is also very famous bathing place in Vrindavana. An arati to Yamuna Devi is held here every evening.

Shopping centers:  Located in interior of Mathura city, this is the main Shopping market of mathura. Famous Dwarikadhish temple and Vishram Ghat are also located here. Here you can shop religious items, ethnic indian dress, handicrafts , embroidered pieces, paintings, sculptures, images and silver and textile jewelries. Be sure to bargain here to get a better price.

Transport: Mathura is on the main lines of the Central Railways and is connected with all the important cities of Uttar Pradesh and India such as Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Mumbai, Jaipur, Gwalior, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai. The Nearest airport is Kheria (Agra), 62 km away from Mathura. Mathura is also well connected by motorable roads to important cities in the region.

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