Mathura, The Birthplace of Krishna

There was a dreadful storm blowing that night. It was raining and Yamuna had swollen with water gushing all around. Amidst this howling of the winds and wrathful rain Devaki gave birth to her eighth child who was smuggles out of captivity by his father and handed over to a friend to be looked after. Nand and Yashoda brought up this divine child who grew up to destroy the evil King Kamsa’s rule.” (Legend of Lord Krishna)

This story is set in this ethereal town of Mathura and quintessentially that is the raison d’être of the town of Mathura. It is one of the seven holiest cities in the country and around 3000 BC was a busy urban settlement. The city reverberates with many stories and lores of Lord Krishna, his birth, his childhood and his adorable pranks. Mathura also finds mention in the Hindu scriptures of Ramayana and Mahabharata. 

The modern town of Mathura, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, is located approximately 50 km north of Agra, about 11 km from the town of Vrindavan and 22 km from Govardhan. 

It is said that in Mathura it is easier to count dust particles on the surface of earth than to count the number of holy places in this city. There are approximately 5000 splendid temples and more than 25 ghats lined along calm waters of the river Yamuna and there are steps leading into the water’s 

Edge.

One of the most important temples in Mathura is the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple. It is considered very special because it is believed that the temple stands at the same spot where lord Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudev. The other important spots include Kokilavan Dham (Shani Temple), Rangji Temple, Gopishvar Mahadev Temple and many more. 

• Mathura peda (sweet made from milk) (Gosai Pede Wala)

• Chana chidwa (savoury) (Sri Nath ji Bhandar, Near Prayag Ghat)

• Mung dal pakode, samosa (fried snack) (Chache ki canteen, Dampier Nagar)

• Kachori – sabji(fried flat bread with curry) and jalebi (Oma Pahalwan Kachori wala, Chatta Bazaar)

The sacred city of Mathura comes alive during the wee hours of morning when thousands of pilgrims take their holy dip in the sacred Yamuna river and after sunset when hundreds of diyas and candles are set afloat on the riverbanks, shining bright, making way into the holy waters under the quiet of the starlit sky. 

Food in Mathura is predominantly vegetarian and the eating places around the town serve authentic and traditional food that has been prevalent since a long time. While there are many restaurants which serve lip smacking vegetarian food, 

there are a few that need special mentionMathura peda at the oldest sweet shop in Mathura Gosai Pede Wala (since 1832). The chaat is another must try when visiting Mathura.Mathura is one of the most important places of worship for devotees of Lord Krishna. Mathura is steeped in devotion and dedication to Lord Krishna. Festivals in Mathura also revolve around the life of Lord Krishna. Janmatshmi which commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna and Holi are celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal here. Pravin looks after the contracting for the business