When were you first introduced to Mathura? It was probably when you were a kid and you were reading one of the famous Amar Chitra Katha books about Lord Krishna’s adventures. Or was it your grandma who used to tell you bedtime stories about Krishna and his lovable antics? A name kept popping up in all of those stories: Mathura, his birthplace. Mathura, on the other hand, never felt like a place to you back then; it felt more like a character, alive and well.
Mathura is known for its rich cultural past with several places to visit in Mathura, which is woven into thousands of legends and myths. It’s no surprise that Hindus all over India consider it to be one of the seven sacred cities. Mathura’s allure continues to entice visitors from all around the country and beyond, even in this modern day. What makes this holy city such a popular tourist destination? The reason is simple: Mathura’s alluring environment of sacred temples, religious structures, landmark monuments, and peaceful ghats lends it a surreal beauty that is difficult to discover in other tourist sites. So, is this the city you wanted to visit? If yes, have a look at some of the most popular places to visit in Mathura, which help to make the city a popular tourist destination.
Places to visit in Mathura
1- Dwarkadhish Temple
Dwarkadhish Temple, one of the best places to visit in Mathura, is known all over the world for its complex construction and murals. Although the temple, which was completed in 1814, is relatively new, it is well-known. The temple and its surroundings, which are located within the city’s sacred gate and near to the Yamuna River’s Ghats, are a focus of many intriguing activities. Thousands of devotees gather here every day to offer their obeisance. The complex is made even more grandiose by a series of superb ceiling paintings depicting various elements of the Lord’s life, as well as the amazing architectural designs and carvings of Rajasthani architecture. The black-colored god who resides within the temple promotes love! The Dwarkadhish temple is now run by Vaishnava sect followers (founded by Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya) and is a hub for a variety of exciting activities throughout the year, especially during the Shravan months, when the Lord’s Idol is placed inside a Hindola (a type of swing set). Other notable festivals observed include Holi, Diwali, and Janmashtami.
Time Required- 1 To 2 Hours
Timing- 5:00 AM To 8:00 PM
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
2- Iskcon Temple
Iskcon Temple attracts a large number of tourists due to its dazzling white construction and lovely idols of Lord Balrama. This temple is one of the most popular places to visit in Mathura, and it is ideal for anyone looking to unwind. In the evenings, you’ll find a large number of devotees chanting prayers and dancing in the temple. Because the Iskcon temple is surrounded by peacefulness and a pleasant setting, many tourists visit and attend morning and evening prayers.
Time Required- 2 Hours
Timing- 5:00 AM To 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM To 8:00 PM
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
3- Govardhan Hill
Just add this spot to your places to visit in Mathura Vrindavan is 22 kilometers from Govardhan Hill, also known as Giri Raj. According to Lord Krishna, Govardhan Parvat is no different than Lord Krishna Himself, as stated in the Holy Bhagavad Gita. As a result, all of his devotees worship the hill’s plain stones in the same way that they adore his idol. The hill is composed of sandstone and is 38 kilometers in length and 80 feet in height. Many notable places can be visited, including Mansi Ganga, Mukharvind, and Daan GhatI. Lord Krishna is said to have raised the Govardhan Hill on one finger as a child to protect his Mathura village from torrential rain and thunderstorms. As a result, this hill is regarded as sacred and is visited in devotion by worshipers on Guru Purnima, Govardhan Puja, and Govardhan Prakriya. After Lord Krishna restored his village, Lord Krishna commanded everyone to worship the hill, which is why Govardhan Puja comes a day after Diwali. It’s a peaceful location that you should definitely visit!
Time Required- 1 To 2 Hours
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
4- Vishram Ghat
Your next destination among places to visit in Mathura is a sacred ghat is located on the banks of the Yamuna River, about 5 kilometers from Mathura, and the center of 25 ghats. Pilgrims go around the ghat doing a parikrama. After slaying the evil demon Kansa, Lord Krishna rested at this location, which literally means “resting place.” During Bhaidooj, a large crowd gathers around the ghat for the holy dip. At the ghat, visitors can also enjoy a boat trip.
Time Required- 2 Hours
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
5- Birla Mandir
The tranquil Birla Mandir, also known as Gita Mandir, is located around 6.5 kilometers from Mathura junction on the Mathura-Vrindavan Road. It is one of the most well-known places to visit in Mathura. It is a well-known Hindu pilgrimage place that is visited by devotees and pilgrims all year. This holy shrine, dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narayan, has magnificent architecture that speaks volumes about its grandeur and proudly displays its exquisite carvings and paintings.
Time Required- 2 Hours
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
6- Kans Quila
The beautiful Kans Qila is a historic fort nestled on the banks of the Yamuna River and one of the most well-known places to visit in Mathura. It is dedicated to Kans, Lord Krishna’s maternal uncle, as the name denotes. This massive fort, located near the Krishna Ganga Ghat and Gau Ghat, is a renowned tourist destination, attracting a great number of visitors each month with its Hindu-Muslim fusion architecture. Kans Qila continues to draw history buffs and architecture aficionados from all across the country, despite its deteriorated status.
Time Required- 2 Hours
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
7- Vaishno Devi Dham
Because of the similar idol of Vaishno Devi, this is one of the best places to visit in Mathura’s most admired temples. More than a temple, Vaishno Devi Dham is a pilgrimage destination. In the temple complex, there is a dispensary as well as a library. There are two dharamshalas in the Dham where many devotees reside throughout the year.
Time Required- 1 Hour
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
8- Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple
Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple is located in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India’s holiest city, and is counted as one of the best places to visit in Mathura. It is built around the cell where his evil uncle Kansa imprisoned Lord Krishna’s family, Mata Devaki, and Vasudeva. The temple holds enormous significance for Hindus because it is thought to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. In addition to the prison cell, the Mathura region is home to a number of temples dedicated to Lord Krishna. The spiritual aura and simplicity infuse the heart with the assurance that this is where Lord Krishna showed himself when he visited the temple. It was repeatedly destroyed by several kings before being rebuilt with the financial assistance of entrepreneurs. A visit to the Krishna Janmasthan Temple becomes much more tempting during festivals like Janmashtami, Basant Panchami, Holi, and Deepawali, which are all celebrated with tremendous zeal.
Time Required- 1 To 2 Hours
Timing- 5:00 AM To 9:00 PM
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
9- Kusum Sarovar
Do you want to dip into a waterbody, where Radha allegedly collected flowers and meet her beloved Krishna? Then you have to visit Kusum Sarovar, which adds to the popularity of Mathura amongst tourists. This large 450-foot tank is nearly 60-foot-deep. The square is surrounded by Kadamba trees and beautifully carved cenotaphs housing the graves of the governors of Bharatpur adding to its beauty. During your visit to this popular place in Mathura, do not forget to take your camera. This is among the best places to visit in Mathura for sure.
Time Required- 2 Hours
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
10- Kokila Van
Kokilavan Dham is located near Kosi Kalan and is famous for Shani Temple, a place that is not just devoted to Shani Dev. This site should be added in your list of places to visit in Mathura. In the heart of a lush green jungle, the name of the tourist resort Mathura is based on that. It’s known that Saturday is the busiest day of the week.
Time Required- 2 Hours
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
