Location - The city of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, the nucleus of Brajbhoomi, is located at a distance of 145 km south-east of Delhi (Indraprastha) and 58 km north-west of Agra.
Ancient Boundaries – Central Brajbhumi and an ancient capital city of Sursena Mahajanapada, 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.
During the ancient period, Mathura was an economic hub, located at the junction of important caravan routes.
Current Boundaries – 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.
Significance/Itihasa- Important Events
• Mathura is famous as the birthplace of Sri Krishna. He was born to Vasudev and Devaki in prison. Mathura forms one the most famous parts of the Braj region that were areas of the Sursena Mahajanapada. Other landmarks are Vrindavan, Barsana and Gobardhan.
• Vrindavan: It is one of the most sacred places in Vaishnavism. It is located in the Braj Bhoomi region, and is where, according to Itihasa/Puranas, Krishna spent most of his childhood days. The town hosts many temples dedicated to the worship of Radha and Krishna.
• Barsana: Barsana is the home of the goddess Sri Radha, the consort of Krishna. The main attraction of the town is Radha Rani Temple.
• Govardhan: Mount Govardhana and Giriraj, is a sacred ancient site on an 8 km long hill located in the area of Govardhan and Radha Kund. It is the sacred centre of Braj and is identified as a natural form of Krishna (Govardhana sila). The Paramatma Sri Krishna lifted this mountain to give shelter to all inhabitants.
• Mathura was established by Raghuvanshi Prince Shatrughana, brother of Sri Ram, during Treta rule. It is a very sacred place with high spiritual value. Centuries after Sri Krishna moved to Dwarka, Mathura saw its later ‘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, during the rule of Emperor Ashoka to the Gupta era.
Events
Mathura that lies at the centre of Braj has an ancient history and is said to be the homeland and birthplace of Sri Krishna, who belonged to the Yadu dynasty. The most important pilgrimage site in Mathura was Katra market place, was referred to as Krishna Janmasthan the birthplace of Krishna.
events Some important :
• Lord Krishna was born in a prison cell in Mathura. His father Vasudev got him out of Mathura, across the raging River Yamuna and into the house of Nand in Gokul.
• He kills Putna who tried to poison him on instruction of his uncle Kansa.
• He destroyed Kali naga.
• Krishna spent his early childhood here and revealed the first signs of his divinity. His uncle Kansa’s murderous attempts forced Krishna to leave Gokul and move to Nandgaon, a more secure home high up on a hill.
• He kills Kansa.
• Magadh King Jarasandh attacked Matthura many times. Krishna and his brother Balarama managed to counter him. Finally as a strategy Krishna and Balarama shift to Dwarka.
• From here, the adolescent Krishna, the cowherd, would wander into the Vrindavan forests to play with his friends and his consort Radha. Vrindavan, still a transcendental world, is a place of Krishna’s leela, (play) and an archetypal connection to nature. Each tree in the area speaks, as it were, of the love of the divine couple, wherein Sri Krishna is Paramatama and Radha represents Atma of the human being.
• Sri Krishna Janmasthan Temple, Dwarkadheesh Temple, Birla Mandir, Gordhan Hill, Radha Kund.
Places of interest
The Mathura art that creates splendid Buddha and related sculptures is showcased at Mathura Museum.
Important local crafts, cuisine
Crafts: Mathura is famous for the Mathura School of Art, sculptures of a special type which are now preserved in the museums and small replicas. It also has traditional crafts of Uttar Pradesh like Sujuni embroidery, Zari (gold silver thread) embroidery, marble/stone craft decoration pieces, etc. Special paintings of Krishna Lila, Radha Krishna, Yamuna Maa, Yamuna=Krishna, etc are most popular.
Food: Mathura ka peda, jalebi, kachodi, Imarti and a variety of milk products due to Krishna’s love towards milk.
Connectivity - Road, Rail, Air
Air: Agra Airport is the nearest airport to Mathura and the major nearest commercial airport of Mathura happens to be Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (Indraprastha). Jhevar Airport is coming soon.
Train: Mathura Junction is a major railhead on Central and Western Railways.
Road: A good network of roadways connect Mathura to Delhi (Indraprastha), Agra, Moradabad, Jaipur, Bikaner, Kolkata along with other small towns of UP and nearby states.
