Mathura
(
Sightseeing )
Shri
Krishna Janma Bhoomi : It is believed that this is the place
where about 5,000 years ago lord Krishna was born in the prison
of King Kansa. While excavating this area, many old statues were
found which are now displayed in the museum. At present this place
has a beautiful temple of lord Krishna.
Dwarkadish
Temple : Built in 1814 in the center of the town, it is the
most visited temple in Mathura. This temple is managed by followers
of Vallabhacharya. Located in the eastern part of Mathura, not
far from the Yamuna River, it is architecturally interesting:
the temple carving and paintings are major attractions. The temple
is a hub of activity during the festive days of Holi, Janmashtami
and Diwali.
Gita
Mandir : On the road to Vrindaban it is a modern temple with
fine paintings and carvings on the walls depicting themes from
Hindu mythology. The whole of Bhagwad Gita is inscribed on a pillar
called Gita Stambh.
Ghats : The Ghats of Mathura are of great architectural,
cultural and ritual interest, for devotees from far and wide.
There are 25 holy tirthas (bathing places or ghats) in Mathura.
Visram Ghat is in the middle and there are 12 more south of Visrama
Ghat and 12 ghats north. Those in the south extend to Moksa Ghat.
Some pilgrims take bath in all 25 tirthas before beginning Braja
Mandala parikrama. Asi Ghat, Prayaga Ghat, Chakra Tirtha Ghat,
Krishna Ganga, Dhruva Ghat and Visrama Ghat are still known by
the same names.
Sati Burj : 17 mt. high, built of red sandstone in 1570
AD, is a slim tower which commemorates the death of a noble lady
- widow of Raja Bihari Mal of Amer who committed sati. The four
storeyed tower was erected by Raja Bhagwan Das on the right bank
of the Yamuna at Sati Ghat
The
Government Museum : The Government Museum, Mathura originally
founded by F.S. Growse in 1874, is today one of the leading centres
for research, study and the preservation of Mathura' s splendid
heritage of art. The museum housed in a fine octagonal, red sandstone
building, located at Dampier Park, has the largest collection
of Kushana sculptures in the country. The Museum has also fine
collections of stone sculpture and terracotta, gold, silver and
copper coins, clay seals, ancient pottery, paintings and bronzes.
Kusuma
Sarovara : It is a 460-feet long lake with the platforms going
out 60 feet into the water. A 25-minute walk from Radha Kunda,
it is the best swimming spot in Braja. Legend has it that the
gopis would pick flowers from here for Krishna. After going to
Radha Kunda one can spend a relaxing hour here. It is a peaceful
place. The ghatas at this kunda were built by Jawahir Singh around
1764.
Jama Masjid : The Jama Masjid with its four lofty minarets
and bright mosaic, built in 1661 AD, by Abd-un Nabir Khan, on
the ruins of Keshav Deo temple, which was destroyed earlier.
