Braj is the land of Krishna and Mathura is its epicenter. Since time immemorial, Mathura has been home to the follower of Krishna. The city of milkmaids has a lot to offer when it comes to 'Krishna Tourism'. The city has some of the beautiful temples and religious sites. We list a few of them:
Dwarkadhish Temple
Dwarkadhish Temple is not only an important temple of Mathura but also of India. Built in 1814, Dwarkadhish Temple is situated in the heart of the city of Mathura. Dwarkadhish Temple that is currently managed by the followers of the Vallabhacharya sect is the most visited temple in Mathura. Located in the eastern part of Mathura, not far from the Yamuna River, the temple is architecturally very interesting.
One Seth Gokul Das Parikh who was the treasurer of the estate of Gwalior built Dwarkadhish temple that is dedicated to Lord Krishna. He is supposed to be a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna. An excellent work of art, the interiors of the temple include images of the Lord Krishna, his beloved Radha and other Hindu deities.
Government Museum
The Government Museum of Mathura that houses an excellent collection of sculptures belonging to the ancient Mathura school of art is one of the leading museums of not only Uttar Pradesh but also India. Sir F.S. Growse originally founded this museum in the year 1874. Government Museum of Mathura that is also called Mathura Museum is considered one of the leading centers for research, study and the preservation of the heritage left by the Mathura School of Sculpture.
The museum is presently housed near the historic Dampier Park in Mathura. The building of the museum itself is worth visiting. This aesthetically beautiful building is octagonal in shape and is made out of the red-sandstone.
Krishna Janambhoomi
Krishna Janambhoomi is one of the most visited tourist destination in India. The place has been named so because it is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. 'Janam' means 'Birth' and 'Bhoomi' means 'Place' in Hindi. It is supposed that the present temple is built over spot of the prison where Lord Krishna took birth.
The present temple has been constructed in the 20th century. A stone slab marks the original spot of the birth of Lord Krishna. The earlier Kesava Deo temple had the room where Lord Krishna was born. The only dampener is the heavy security cordoning that has been done in this area. One has to go through complex and long security check ups before getting admitted in the campus.
Kusum Sarovar
Kusum Sarovar is the must visit site in Mathura. Kusum Sarovar is actually a 450 feet long tank that belongs to the era of Lord Krishna. Kusum Sarovar is 60 feet deep and has numerous flights of stairs from all sides. Kusum Sarovar is just half an hour walk from another famous tank named Radha Kunj.
The thing that makes Kusum Sarovar a place worth visit is the peace and serenity that it offers. The place is marked by groves of tress, mostly Kadamb. Interestingly, Kadamb was the favorite tree of Lord Krishna. It is said that Kusum Sarovar is the place where Gopis or milkmaids used to pick flowers for lord Krishna. The place remains the best swimming spot in the Braj region till date
Gokula
Lord Sri Krishna lived in Gokul until he was 7 years old. His pastimes of stealing butter, and killing of the demons Putana, Trnavarta and Sakatasura took place in Gokul.
THE HOME OF NANDA MAHARAJA with it's 84 pillars, was built 5000 years ago by Viswakarma, the architect of the demigods.
UTHAL ( Grinding Mortar) This is where Sri Krishna was tied to the grinding mortar by mother Yasoda.
DAUJI ( Balaram ) 18 km south east of Mathura on the otherside of the river. In this temple you can see a 6'6" Balaram diety that was installed by Vrajranabha, about 5,000 years ago. This is the largest Deity in Braja. Balaram is black, with huge eyes, and his right hand is raised. In his left hand he is holding a cup of Varuni. He is one of the presiding Deities in Vrindavan. This Deity is the only original presiding Deity left in Vrindavan. This Deity was lost for some time but was found in a Kunda nearby.
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