Must-visit! A complete guide to Mathura, a treasure trove of India, and the city of Krishna
Mathura, a city full of mysterious charm, is located in the western part of Uttar Pradesh, 150 km south of Delhi. It is the birthplace of the Hindu god Krishna, with a rich history and strong religious atmosphere, and is definitely a must-see on your trip to India.
1. Getting to Mathura
- Location: Western Uttar Pradesh, 150 km south of Delhi, making it a must-see on a cultural tour of India.
- Transportation: From Delhi, it takes 2.5 hours by car, with picturesque scenery along the way, and you can experience the local customs of India in advance; you can also take a train to Mathura Junction, which is convenient and efficient.
- Best time to visit: During the Holi Festival in February and March, the whole city is lit up with colorful powder and becomes a sea of joy; during the Krishna Janmashtami Festival in August and September, the grand celebrations will give you a taste of the most authentic Hindu cultural carnival. Visiting Mathura during these two periods will definitely give you the most unforgettable travel experience.
2. Top 5 religious and cultural experiences
Krishna Janmasthan Temple: This is the sacred place where Krishna was born, with a dungeon that carries ancient legends, a golden spire that shines with sacred light in the sun, and a thousand-year-old bodhi tree that seems to quietly tell the story of time. When entering the temple, you should take off your shoes, do not bring leather items, and women should walk through a separate passage to show respect for the religious site.
Dwarkadhish Temple (Holigate Rd): Sunset is the magical moment here, when thousands of oil lamps are lit at the same time, and the warm light illuminates the whole temple, like a dream world. A little tip: if you climb to the top floor observation deck, you can see the colorful rooftops of the whole city and enjoy the unique cityscape of Mathura.
Vishram Ghat (Yamuna River): At dawn, come to Vishram Ghat on the Yamuna River to participate in the morning bath blessing ceremony and feel the devotion of the locals to their faith. Then take a flower boat tour and enjoy the riverbank scenery. The colorful sarees and golden sunlight intertwine to create beautiful pictures, making it a great place for photography enthusiasts.
Government Museum (Dampier Nagar): This museum is an art treasure trove, with a thousand-year-old Buddha statue as its treasure, whose exquisite carving is amazing; there are also coins from the Maurya Empire, witnessing the rise and fall of history. It is also the largest collection of ancient Hindu sculptures in the world, and when you delve into it, it is as if you are traveling through time and space, talking to ancient civilizations.
Barsana Craft Village (1 hour drive): From Mathura, it takes 1 hour to reach the artistic craft village of Barsana. Here, you can make traditional garlands by hand and feel the charm of traditional Indian handicrafts. It is also the birthplace of the Lathmar Holi Festival, and the unique festival customs will surely open your eyes.
3. Food exploration
Brijwasi Mithai Wala (a century-old brand): As a century-old dessert shop, the saffron pedas here have a delicate taste, and the unique aroma of saffron spreads on the tip of the tongue; the almond milk balls are sweet and delicious, and a bite of them will give you a full sense of happiness, making it a paradise for dessert lovers.
Holi Chowk Night Market: The lively Holi Chowk Night Market is full of fireworks. You must try the Makhan Mishri (butter rock sugar), which is a perfect blend of rich butter aroma and sweet rock sugar; the spicy kachori has a crispy crust and spicy filling, and a bite of it will instantly ignite your taste buds.
However, the freshly squeezed juice on the roadside may cause water and soil discomfort due to water quality problems, so it is recommended to choose carefully.
4. Photography guide
The light and shadow play of the temple's hollow stone windows: The sunlight shines through the temple's hollow stone windows, casting golden rays of light that form beautiful light and shadow patterns on the ground and walls. Standing in the middle of it, you can take a great photo with a snap.
The colorful powder carnival scene of the Holi Festival: During the Holi Festival, people throw colorful powder at each other, with happy smiles on their faces. Capturing this moment full of vitality and color is the most memorable photo.
The rainbow waterfall fabric wall of the saree store: When you walk into a saree store, the colorful fabrics hang like waterfalls. With them as the background, wearing a gorgeous saree, you will feel like the protagonist of an Indian movie.
The silhouette of a camel caravan at dusk: At dusk, the camel caravan slowly moves forward in the afterglow of the sunset, with long shadows stretching out, forming a silhouette full of exoticism and atmosphere.
5. Accommodation recommendations
Culture lovers: MVT Guesthouse, with a balcony that offers a direct view of the temple, allows you to feel the strong religious and cultural atmosphere in your room, and the first rays of sunlight in the morning shine on the temple, making it beautiful.
Luxury lovers: Radha Ashok, the hotel pool faces the Yamuna River, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful river view while enjoying a relaxing swim, making your trip more comfortable and luxurious.
Backpackers: Zostel, with its artistic graffiti walls and rooftop where you can enjoy yoga time, is a great place for backpackers to socialize and relax, where you can meet friends from all over the world.
6. Travel tips
Dress code: When attending the Holi Festival, remember to wear a disposable white T-shirt, so you don't have to worry about your clothes being stained after being "baptized" by the colorful powder.
Protection: The streets of Mathura are dusty, so carry a mask with you to protect yourself from dust and protect your respiratory system.
Religious ceremonies: You can attend the free evening prayer ceremony at the temple on Thursday nights to feel the solemn religious atmosphere and pray with the locals to experience the unique cultural customs.
Bargaining: Remember to bargain when shopping, usually starting at one-third of the merchant's price, and boldly use your bargaining skills. You may be able to get a lot of good things at a good price.
7. Souvenir recommendations
Natural plant color powder (for Holi): Bring home a natural plant color powder for the Holi Festival, so that your family and friends can also feel the joy and vitality of Mathura.
Hand-painted mini Krishna statue: The exquisite hand-painted mini Krishna statue is a small and exquisite religious craft with great commemorative significance and a great gift for friends and family.
Gold-embroidered Radha-Krishna shawl: The Radha-Krishna shawl, made with gold embroidery, is exquisitely crafted and beautifully patterned, keeping you warm and showing your unique taste.
Traditional clay oil lamp set: The rustic traditional clay oil lamp set carries the traditional culture of India. Bring it home and light it up, and it will bring the warmth and tranquility of Mathura with it.
Mathura, a city where even the air is filled with the scent of incense and flowers, is like a great book of history and culture, with stories written on every page. Save this guide and follow in our footsteps to travel back to the mythical scene of the Mahabharata and start an unforgettable in-depth tour of India!