Mathura Vrindavan Holiday
The Twin Holy Cities
Mathura & Vrindavan, the twin sacred towns of Hindu religion is situated
in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Situated on the bank of the river Yamuna,
both the places are closely and equally associated with religious sentiments
of the people. Both Mathura and Vrindaban are believed to be the ancient birth
place and playground of Lord Krishna. hence they are considered as one of the
holiest places of India. The city of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, the nucleus
of Brajbhoomi, is located at a distance of 145 km south-east of Delhi and 58
km north-west of Agra. A extended line of beautiful ghats - with their steps
leading to the water's edge, arched gateways and temples stretching along the
right bank of the River Yamuna, enhances the sacred character of the town of
Mathura. The birth place of Lord Krishna - Mathura is today an important place
of pilgrimage.
The holy pilgrimage of Vrindaban is 15 km from Mathura, worth a visit. Book
A tour to Mathura & Vrindavan
An Ancient City
An ancient city, Mathura's strategic location at the cross roads of various
trade routes - that went westwards to West Asia and the Roman Empire; northwards,
via Taxila, Pushkalavati and Purushapur to Central Asia and the Silk Route and
eastwards to China - ensured its position as a centre of trade and a meeting
point for varied cultures. By the 5th century BC, during the time of Buddha,
it was a major metropolis and the capital of the Surasena Kingdom. Mathura saw
its `golden age' during the rule of the Kushanas and the able governance of
rulers Kanishka, Huvishka, and Vasishka, when the arts flourished and economic
wealth grew.
It remained a centre of power during the Mauryan period, through the enlightened
rule of Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BC) to the Gupta era (4th century AD). It
remained a centre of power during the Mauryan period, through the enlightened
rule of Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BC) to the Gupta era (4th century AD).
Brajbhoomi
The city of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, the nucleus of Brajbhoomi, is located
at a distance of 145 km south-east of Delhi and 58 km north-west of Agra. Covering
an area of about 3,800 sq. km., today, Brajbhoomi can be divided into two distinct
units - the eastern part in the trans-Yamuna tract with places like Gokul, Mahavan,
Baldeo, Mat and Bajna and the western side of the Yamuna covering the Mathura
region that encompasses Vrindavan, Govardhan, Kusum Sarovar, Barsana and Nandgaon.
Lord Krishna
He is easily the most popular person here. Every square foot of Mathura-Vrindavan
is wrapped in timeless devotion to Lord Krishna, the evergreen hero of Hinduism,
the lover of Radha, the cowherd-prince and the re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Mathura without Lord Krishna is like Bethlehem without Christ. Welcome to Brajbhoomi
or Krishna-land.
Holy Land
It has often been said that it is easier to count the number of dust particles
on the surface of the earth than to count the number of holy places in Mathura.
Each of the Ghats, for instance, has its own Krishna myth. Here He rested after
killing his evil and tyrannical uncle, King Kansa; This is where His mother
tied him after he stole butter; This is the sacred grove where Krishna and Radha
spent lazy, love-filled times - the list is endless. In Mathura-Vrindavan, it
is difficult to know the dividing line between reality and myth.
The City Of Temples
Vrindavan, around 15 km from Mathura, is a major place of pilgrimage, on the
banks of Yamuna. Attracting about 5 lakhs pilgrims every year, it is noted for
its numerous temples- both old and modern. Vrindavan is synonymous with the
innocent mirth and child like playfulness of Shri Krishna. Vrindavan, the dusty
little town known for the temples, big and small, famous and remote strewn all
over the place.
A Divine Career
Lord Krishna was born in a prison cell in Mathura. His father Vasudev aided
by several celestial forces stole him out of Mathura, across the raging river
Yamuna and into the house of Nand in Gokul. Krishna spent his early childhood
here and revealed the first signs of his divinity. His uncle Kansa's muderous
attempts forced Krishna to leave Gokul and move to Nandgaon, a more secure home
high up on a hill. From here, the adolescent Krishna, the cowherd, would wander
into the Vrindavan forests to play with his friends and dally with Radha, his
lady love. Vrindavan, is still a transcendental world, a place of Krishna's
leela, (play), of deep eroticism and an archetypal connection to nature. Each
tree in the area speaks, as it were, of the love of the divine couple.
