The land of love and Bhajans, Mathura is the birth place of Lord Krishna replete with imposing temples, each dedicated to the different stages of the Lord's life. The Greeks, the Huns, Scythians from the North of the Black Sea, Mughals and the British all captured this coveted town at one time or other. The nucleus of Braj bhoomi, Mathura is as old as the Himalayas that was born two millions years ago out of the Tethys Sea.

The western side of the Braj bhoomi covers Mathura as well as Brindavan, Govardhan, Kusum, Sarovar, Barsana and Nandgaon. The town of Mathura can be defined by its long picturesque ghats with their steps leading to the edge of the water, temples spires along the banks and arched gateways. It is today counted as an important pilgrimage center of the Hindu religion.


Location
The city of Mathura is located in the western part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is a part of the great northern plains and is situated on the west bank of the river Yamuna. Mathura is located at a distance of 145 km south-east of Delhi and 58 km north-west of Agra.

Climate
Mathura is hot in summers, with day temperatures going up to 45° Centigrade while winters are comfortable at 12°C . The best time to visit the place is between October to March.


Major Attractions
Katra Keshav Dev - The splendid temple at the Katra Keshav Dev marks the place that is believed by his devotees to be the spot of Shri Krishna's Janmasthan - the birthplace of the Lord.

Gita Mandir - The beautiful shrine Gita Mandir is located on the Mathura-Vrindavan Road and has a fine image of Shri Krishna in its sanctum. The whole of the Bhagwad Gita is inscribed on the walls of the temple.

Dwarkadhish Temple - Renowned as the holiest and popular shrine of Mathura, the Dwarkadhish Temple to the north of the town is dedicated to Shri Krishna. This temple was built in 1815 by a staunch and wealthy devotee, Seth Gokuldas Parikh, Treasurer of the State of Gwalior. It is the main temple during the days of Holi, Janmasthami and Diwali when every corner is decorated with real grandeur.

The Vishram Ghat - Among the most important ghats is the Vishram Ghat, believed to be the place where Krishna took his rest after killing Kansa. It is at this very place that the traditional parikrama or circumambulation of all the important religious and cultural spots of the city begins and ends. There are about 25 Ghats in and around the city.

Twelve Ghats to the north of Vishram Ghat includes the Ganesh Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat with its Neelakantheshwar Temple, Saraswati Sangam Ghat, Chakratirtha Ghat, Krishnaganga Ghat, Somatirth or Swami Ghat, Ghantagharan Ghat, Dharapattan Ghat, Vaikuntha Ghat, Navtirtha or Varahkshetra Ghat, Asikunda Ghat, and Manikarnika Ghat. The puja held at the Vishram Ghat every evening is not to be missed, for the little oil lamps that are floated on the river makes the place magnificently beautiful.

Government Museum - The museum has the richest and the most important collections of Mathura school of Sculptures of the Kushans and the Gupta's in around 3rd century to 12 century. The collections includes the invaluable base relief, architectural fragments and inscriptions, paintings, various creeds and a good number of coins. Ornamentation and hair dressing can be seen on the figures of men and women that are portrayed in an artistic decor.