Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]The nearest airport is Agra (AGR IATA), 50 km from Mathura. Most of the international and domestic flights land at IGI Airport, Delhi (DEL IATA) which is 150 km from Mathura. An upcoming new international airport will also be accessible via the Taj Expressway, 1½ hours from Mathura.
By train
[edit]1 Mathura Junction NR Suburban 
. 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. However, Vande Bharat trains don't stop at Mathura.
By bus
[edit]Many state transport departments busses run through Mathura. There are also ISBT (Inter State Bus Terminal) services from Delhi Sarai Kale Khan with a frequency of 25 minutes.
By car
[edit]Mathura sits between Delhi and Agra on NH 44, about 150 km south of Delhi and 50 km north of Agra. The Yamuna Expressway is to the east of the city. Mathura is well connected to the national capital Delhi, state capital Lucknow and all major Indian cities by road.
By taxi
[edit]To travel from Delhi to Mathura or from Agra to Mathura via taxi, you have a few options. Mathura is approximately halfway between Delhi and Agra. It is approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Delhi, and approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Agra.
Get around
[edit]
See
[edit]
- Akhand Jyoti Sansthan,, Giya Mandi.
- 1 Bankey Bihari Temple (Bihari Ji Temple), Vrindavan. This is the most famous temple in Mathura and many people including VIPs from across India visit the temple every year.
- 2 Basantar Park. In memory of the victory of Basantar (1971 war).
- 3 Birla Temple.
- 4 Dwarkadheesh Temple (Dwarkadhish 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.
- Gayatri TapoBhumi (First Gayatri Temple), Vrindavan Rd.
- Gita Mandir (On the city outskirts). The temple carving and painting are a major attraction.
- Govardhan Giriraj Hill (Goverdhan Parvat).
- 5 Government Museum, Museum Road, Dampier Nagar, Choubey Para, ☏ +91 8889 904541. Tu-Sa 10:30AM–4:30PM, closed on public holidays. Biggest and richest in Asia for Mathura and Gandhar sculpture. It has one of the finest collection of archaeological interest. Rare items from the Gupta and Kushan period (400 BC-1200 AD) are on display. Major attraction for tourists. Adults ₹5, children ₹2, foreigners ₹25, camera fee ₹20.
- Jai Gurudev Temple (Naam Yog Sadhna Mandir), Madhavpuri. Constructed by great saints Baba Jai Gurudev. It resembles the Taj Mahal, built with white marble. It is a unique temple in that you are prohibited from donating if you are a non-vegetarian.
- 6 Jama Masjid. Built by Abo-inNabir-Khan in 1661 AD, the mosque has 4 lofty minarets, with bright colored plaster mosaic of which a few panels still exist.
- 7 Krishna Janmabhoomi. There are two main places 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 the 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 that 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.
- Mathura Jain Chorasi (On NH-2). Worship place of Jains. Here is the largest statue of Jambu Swami, about 7m, made from a single piece of greynite stone. The deity is sitting.
- Mathura Refinery. Watch the lightning in the evening, if you are coming from Agra in the evening you can enjoy this beautiful scene.
- 8 Old Fort (Kans Quila) (near Swami Ghat). It's the main Quila in Mathura to protect the city from Yamuna River if this Quila was not built then it would have destroyed the city and it would will fill up with the waters of Yamuna river during the flood time.
- 9 Rifle Club of Mathura. One of its own kind club. Do not expect rifle shooting now days.
- Shri Dwarika Dheesh Temple, Near river Yamuna (You have to go holi gate first, then enter chatta bazaar and go straight to river Yamuna, then ask anybody nearby you will reach it). This is a 400-year-old temple. It is very beautiful from outside and inside as well.
- 10 Shri Ganesh Temple (Siddhi vinayak), At Ganesh Tila (Jaisingh Pura, Vindavan Road), ☏ +91 2530063.
- 11 Vishram Ghat. The sacred spot where Hindus believe that Krishna rested after slaying the tyrant Kansa. Enjoy evening Yamuna ji ki Aarti here. Also see the river and huge turtles.
Do
[edit]- Boating. Boating in the holy river Yamuna and a visit to Durvasa Rishi Temple, which is on the other side of the river. Go to the beautiful Hansiya Rani ghat, which was built of red stone in the time of Rani Hansiya and where she used to bathe.
- Janmashtami.
- Ramleela. Sep-Oct. A play act based on the story of Ram. In this act the main play is Ram Barat. In Ram Barat you can see fun sword fighting and other fighting styles in the Akhadas.
Buy
[edit]- Gayatri Tapobhmi (Vrindavan Road), ☏ +91 565 - 2530128, +91 565 2530399. Gayatri Pariwar is a not-for-profit organisation selling books on every aspect of life. Books available in Hindi, English and many regional languages of India.
- Brass, or Copper Pooja Articles
- Clothes
- Leather shoes from factory Outlets on NH-2 (towards Agra)
- Milk Products
- Pooja Articles
- Sweets
Eat
[edit]Sweets made of milk and milk products are the specialty of Mathura. Mathura is famous for "pede" (sweet made of milk and sugar).The best shop for trying sweets is "Brijwasi Mithai wala" which are located at 4-5 places in Mathura like Opposite Janmbhumi, in Holigate, in Chowk Bazaar and at the New Roadways bus stand. Other good sweet shops are Gosai Pede Wala, Radhika Sweets, Shankar Mithai Wala, and Bharatpuria.
Another famous food item in Mathura that is the most common breakfast in the city is Kachori and Jalebi. Kachori is a snack served with "Alloo Ki Subji"(Spicy Potato Curry) and Jalebi is a sweet. One can find a near rush in front of Kachori Shops in the morning in Mathura. If you are in Mathura then you must try Kachori and Jalebi for your break fast. Although there are many Kachori and Jalebi Shops, but most famous among them is OMA Pahalwan KachoriWala, that is situated at Holigate in front of Brijwasi Mithai Wala. Another famous item worth trying in Mathura is "Chat", specially "Gol - Gappey" (Pani-Puri).There are many chat walas, it depends upon your taste. You can taste these chat on the vendor who are situated from Holi Gate to Chowk bazaar.
For street food, fast food or restaurants, try one of the following
- Agrawal Dhaba, NH-2. Probably this is the best place to have food in Mathura.
- Bhagvan Das ka Bhalla, Ghiya Mandi chok bajar (opp Jain Street). After 5PM. Street food. ₹15.
- Brijwasi Chat Wala (Near Khadi Ashram, Tilak Dwar). After 5PM.
- Café Coffee Day (Nh-2 Hiway Plaza).
- Canteen of Sri Krishna Janma Bhoomi Temple. 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 one can try Thaali's with limited and unlimited version. Taste is good and one thing for sure it's more clean than any other eateries.
- Oma Pahlwan Kachori wala (near Holi Gate, opp Brijwasi Mithai wala). 8AM-2PM. Street food.
- Pizza Hut, Highway plaza NH-2.
- Radha Ashok Restaurant (NH-2 and at Highway Plaza at NH-2).
- Loft Cafe (Loft), Near Mandi Chouraha, NH-2, opp Highway Plaza Mall. Upmarket, modernistic cafe serving global cuisines.
- Cafe Two Twenty One, Nh-2, near Highway Plaza Mall. Multi-cuisine Restaurant known for great food and lively interiors
Budget
[edit]- 1 Shankar Mithai Wala, Tilak Dwar (Holi Gate area), ☏ +91 565 250 0955. 6:30AM–11PM. This candy store is not just famous for its sweet stuff. It's also renowned for its puri, kachori, and chole bhaturi. All these foods are served upstairs where you can seat and sip chilled lassi served in small pots. Halwas and dahi bhallas covered with thick cream are also worth trying.
- Suresh ke Mangode, Ghiya Mandi (opp Bhargava Street). After 5PM. Street food.
Drink
[edit]- Jaljeera - a digestive drink.
- Lassi served in a clay glass
- Milk Badam(almonds and other dryfruits minced in chilled milk)
- Sweetened hot milk served in a clay glass
- Thandai
- Brijwasi Mithai Wala, Holi Gate (Mathura). Has an awesome range of sweets, namkeens, pastries, puddings, etc. at economical rates. The shop is opened till late in the evening. Also try the famous sweet of mathura "peda" here, you would never dislike it.
- Kailash (opp rifles club). sutte waala
- Fruit Juice.
Sleep
[edit]- Country Inn, Kosi, NH-2, ☏ +91 566 2232445.
- Hotel Brijwasi Royal.
- Hotel Dwaper Resorts, NH-2.
- Hotel Goverdhan Palace, Opp.Narholi Thana Agra-Delhi Highway, ☏ +91 7500432200, [email protected]. Check-in: noon, check-out: 1PM. 3-star business hotel. Set in landscaped grounds. Can host weddings for up to 2500. 25 rooms which overlook the garden. ₹2000.
- Hotel Madhuvan, ☏ +91 565 2420064, +91 565 2420058, [email protected].
- Hotel Mansarovar Palace, ☏ +91 565 2408686.
- Hotel Mukund Palace.
- Hotel Rahi (ITDC), ☏ +91 565 2407822.
- International Guest House, Krishna Janm Bhoomi, ☏ +91 565 2405888.
- Shri Radha Brij Vasundhara Resort, Aanyor, Parikrama Marg, ☏ +91 565-32 98427. The place has a scenic, peaceful atmosphere. Cluster of detached cottages having Bed room, Lounge & a small kitchenette. 87% of the resort area is gardens against 13% of built up area.
Go next
[edit]- Back Water of Gokul Barrage (2 km south)
- Baldeo (22 km southeast)
- Gokul (10 km east)
- Goverdhan (20 km west)
- Govardhan for parikrama (circle or pradakshina). While some walk, some do sashtang namaskar every step, some walk every foot by foot, while old people who cannot walk take vehicle or rickshaw. Remember to chant Sri Krishna all the time while you are circling, or when you are in brajbhumi in general.
- Keetham Bird Sanctuary, Keetham, NH-2 (35 km south)
- Kelva Dev Sanctuary, Bharatpur (35 km west)
- Rural Mathura on bank of river Yamuna
- Vrindavan (10 km northeast)