Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, lies about 145 kilometres to the south-east of Delhi. An important pilgrimage destination, Mathura is one of the Sapta Puris or seven holy cities for Hindus. It is not only the birthplace of Lord Krishna but also the place where Brahma and Shakti appeared in the same place. It is not surprising that majority of temples in Mathura are dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple
This is undoubtedly the most famous temple in Mathura said to be constructed on the exact spot where Lord Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudev. The Garbha Griha is the spot marking his birthplace. The temple complex is large and it is believed that various depictions of Radha and Krishna appeared on the walls of the Shikhar Mandap of this temple. In close proximity to this temple you will find the Keshavdeva temple built by Seth Ramkrishna Dalmia to honor his mother Srimati Jadia Devi Dalmia. Devotees visit this temple and pray to Lord Keshav (another name for Krishna) to fulfil their desires.
There is yet another temple close by, actually a collection of five temples by the name of Bhagwat Bhawan with the main one dedicated to Radha and Krishna. A temple to Balram sits to the right and a temple to Shri Sita, Ram and Lakshman on the left. In front of the main temple you will find an idol of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as well as those of Goddess Durga, Lord Shiva’s Linga and Hanuman. The Shiva temple has a lingam made of mercury or Parad Lingam, created by mixing mercury with herbs to solidify it.
- Deity: Keshavdeva
- Location: Near Deeg Gate Chouraha, Janam Bhumi, Mathura
- Timings: All days of the week 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Visit Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Festivals: Krishna Janmashtami
Dwarkadheesh Temple
Built in 1814, this is yet another important temple for devotees. It has paintings and carvings and a colorful atmosphere. The temple is also known as Nij Mandir and Jagat Mandir. The temple comes alive during Janmashtami and for Jhulan Yatra in August. The Jhulan Yatra is celebrated with fervour for 13 days as devotees throng to the temple to seek blessings of the Lord.
- Deity: Dwarkanath, Radharani
- Location: Vishram Ghat, Vishram Bazar, Mathura, 281001
- Timings: 6:30am -7pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Festivals: Hindola, Janmashtami, Radhastami, Holi, Sharad Purnima
Dashbhuja Ganesh Mandir
The Dashbhuja Ganesh Temple is located in an alley behind the Dwarkadheesh temple. It houses a magnificent idol of Lord Ganesh and devotees believe their wishes are fulfilled by praying to Ganesha Ji.
- Deity: Lord Ganesh
- Location: Gujar Hatta, Choubey Para, Mathura, 281001
- Timings: 5:30am – 8pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Shree Shri Nath Ji Temple
The Shree Shri Nath Ji Temple is located in Manek Chowk and it has a fabulously decorated idol of Lord Krishna as Shrinathji. The temple has beautiful Jharokhas and a serene atmosphere.
- Deity: Lord Krishna
- Location: Manek chowk, Behind Dwarikadhish Temple, Mathura, 281001
- Timings: 5:00am – 8pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Varaha Temple
Not far from Dwarkadheesh temple you will find a smell temple known as Varahji temple in Manek Chowk area. This temple has an attractive idol worth a look.
- Deity: Lord Varaha (Lord Vishnu)
- Location: Near Dwarakadhish temple
- Timings: 5:30am – 7:30pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Gokulnathji Mandir, Dauji Mandir and Madan Mohan Mandir
These three temples are located on Bengali Ghat. There is nothing remarkable about the architecture or construction but still they are old and are of importance to pilgrims, especially vaishavs from Gujarat region.
- Deity: Lord Krishna, Lord Balarama
- Location: Laxmi Nagar, Mathura, 281204
- Timings: 5:00am – 6:00pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 1 hour
Govardhan Nath Temple
Located in Chapra Bazar, this temple was built by Sheth Shivlal and it is said to be about a 100 years old, characterized by a beautiful idol of the Lord.
- Deity: Govardhannathji
- Location: Mathura Junction, Mayur Vihar, Mathura, 281001
- Timings: 6:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 1 hour
Gita Mandir
This is a must visit temple in Mathura famed for having the entire Gita inscribed on the walls. The Birlas built this temple so it is of recent origins but no less impressive in its exquisite architecture and craftsmanship. The Garbhagriha houses an idol of Lord Krishna in the company of Lakshmi Narayan, Sita and Ram.
- Deity: Lord Krishna
- Location: Mathura – Vrindavan Marg, Garravkendra, Mathura, 281003
- Timings: 5:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Festivals: Janmashtami and Holi
Shri Ram Mandir
Shri Ram Mandir is located in Sheth Gali Bhikchand and it is known for colorful festivities during Rama Navami days. The temple houses beautiful idols of Lord Ram and eight handed Gopalji.
- Deity: Lord Rama
- Location: Narayan Puri, Dholi Pyau, Mathura, 281001
- Timings: 5:30 am – 7:30 pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 1hour
- Festivals: Ram Navami
Shriji Baba Mandir
Shriji is yet another form of Lord Krishna and the Shriji Baba Mandir is located close to Goverdhan road near the railway station. The temple also has a guest house adjoining it and a prayer hall too.
- Deity: Lord Krishna
- Location: Goverdhan Rd, Surya Nagar, Bakalpur Mathura, 281004
- Timings: 5:30 am – 8:00 pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Shri Yamuna Mandir and Vishram Ghat
It must be remembered that Lord Krishna used to cavort in the Yamuna river and that the Goddess also harbored a desire to be his consort. It is fitting that Mathura has a temple dedicated to Goddess Yamuna located on Vishram Ghat in the heart of Mathura. The Vishram Ghat is the most well known of about 24 Ghats, 12 on each side, with minor temples located on these Ghats. It is said the Maharaja of Orchha, Vir Singh Deo donated about 1600 kilos of gold at this spot joined by the maharajas of Jaipur, Reva and Kashi.
It is said that Balarama and Krishna rested here after slaying the demon Kans. It is said that Yamuna obtained a boon from her brother Yama that if a brother and sister bathe here, they will be freed from sins and the cycle of life and death. Not far away you will observe the Sati burj, an architecture marvel built by Raja Bhagwandas in 1570 in memory of his mother who committed sati here.
- Deity: Yamuna-Dharamraj
- Location: Vishram Bazar, Choubey Para, Gol Pada, Mathura, 281001
- Timings: 6:45 am – 7:00 pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Gatashram Narayan Mandir
Shri Pran Nath Sastri built the Gat Ashram temple in 1857 and the idol of Lord Vishnu is worshipped here.
- Deity: Lord Vishnu
- Location: Vishram Bazar, Bangali Ghat, Mathura, 281001
- Timings: 6:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Shiva Tal and Temple
You will find the Shiva Tal and the Shiva temple in Mathura. It is said the king of Banaras, Raja Patnimal built and destroyed many temples but he built this lake here to meet the needs of its citizens for water and he also built a Shiv temple here.
- Deity: Lord Shiva
- Location: Shiv Tal Kund, Sonkh Adda, Near Mukund Palace, Mathura
- Timings: 5:30 am – 7:00 pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Vijay Govind Temple
Take a walk in Virjanand Bazar and you will come across the Vijay Govind Temple located in front of the Virdanand Memorial.
- Deity: Lord Krishna
- Location: Chowk Bazar, Mathura, 281001
- Timings: 6:00 am – 7:30 pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Jain Chaurasi (Jain 84 )
The place known as Jain Chaurasi temple is ancient. This is where the Jain guru Jambu Swami meditated and pilgrims visit this spot in droves.
- Deity: 2nd Tirthankar Ajitnath
- Location: NH2-Bhuteshwar Rd, Dwarka Enclave, Krishna Nagar, Mathura, 281004
- Timings: 6:00 am – 9:30 pm
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Visit Duration: 1 hour
There are innumerable other small temples dotting the streets of Mathura but these temples are must visit for devotees.
