Mathura – Uttar Pradesh
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The city of Mathura is situated on the western bank of the river Yamuna, in Uttar Pradesh. It lies at a distance of approximately 145 km from Delhi, the capital of India, and 58 km from Agra, the city of Taj. The city holds the distinction of being the birthplace of Lord Krishna, a Hindu God. Along with being a major Hindu pilgrimage, Mathura is also one of the prominent Buddhist sites in India. It also had the fortuity of hosting Lord Buddha, once in His lifetime. Even after His mahaparinirvana, Mathura prospered as a major Buddhist center, till about 9th century CE.
Mahakachhayana, a distinguished scholar and a disciple of the Buddha, was responsible for sermonizing the thoughts and principles of Buddhism to the people of Mathura. With the construction of a monastic complex in Mathura by Upagupta, the religious teacher of Emperor Ashoka, the religion started budding in the city. During that time, Mathura school of art also flourished here, which became a famous attribute of the Buddha's sculptures.
There have been references of about twenty Buddhist monasteries, three stupas and five Deva temples in Mathura. However, by the 11th century, Buddhism started declining in the city.
Mathura is one of the most ancient cities of the region, mentioned by Ptolemy and visited by both Fa-hisen and Hiuen Tsang. It has been both a Buddhist and Hindu centre of religious learning. The Chinese travelers mention many Buddhist viharas at Mathura but none have survived.
Archaeologists speculate that the many mounds within the city may contain the remains of stupas but no excavations have been undertaken so far. The original name of the city was Madhura and according to the puranas it was founded by Rama’s brother Shatrughna after he slayed the demon Lavanasura. Madhura was the capital of the Yadava kings and the Yadava prince Krishna was born here. Later it was the capital of his kingdom.
From the Mauryan times Mathura was known for its sculpture. Amazingly a great school of sculpture flourished here for nearly a millennium, with the sculptors using the typical red sandstone with beige spots. During the Kushan period the icon was born here, first of the Buddha and then of Hindu gods and Jain tirthankaras. Some of the finest ancient sculptures on both Buddhist and hindu themes were created here and the craftsmen carved the icons of every religion with the same careful devotion. As a centre of sculpture Mathura must have had many magnificent temple. The museum at Mathura has an excellent collection of the art of the region.
The main temple in Mathura is the keshavdev temple, also called Krishna Janmasthan as it is supposed to mark the spot where Krishna was born. It is said that the original temple was built by Vajranabha, the great grandson of Krishna and many temples have been built and destroyed at this site. One temple that was built by the Gupta king Chamdragupta Vikramaditya in the 5th century was destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni. The next one was demolished by Sikandar Lodi in the 16th century. Another built by the king of Orchha during the reign of Jahangir was flattened by Aurangzeb, who used the material to build a mosque. The basement of that temple survived and the present Dwarkadeesh temple was built in 1814 by Seth Gokuldas of Gwalior.
Nearby CitiesDelhi - Approximately 145 km
Agra - Approximately 58 km
Mahakachhayana, a distinguished scholar and a disciple of the Buddha, was responsible for sermonizing the thoughts and principles of Buddhism to the people of Mathura. With the construction of a monastic complex in Mathura by Upagupta, the religious teacher of Emperor Ashoka, the religion started budding in the city. During that time, Mathura school of art also flourished here, which became a famous attribute of the Buddha's sculptures.
There have been references of about twenty Buddhist monasteries, three stupas and five Deva temples in Mathura. However, by the 11th century, Buddhism started declining in the city.
Mathura is one of the most ancient cities of the region, mentioned by Ptolemy and visited by both Fa-hisen and Hiuen Tsang. It has been both a Buddhist and Hindu centre of religious learning. The Chinese travelers mention many Buddhist viharas at Mathura but none have survived.
Archaeologists speculate that the many mounds within the city may contain the remains of stupas but no excavations have been undertaken so far. The original name of the city was Madhura and according to the puranas it was founded by Rama’s brother Shatrughna after he slayed the demon Lavanasura. Madhura was the capital of the Yadava kings and the Yadava prince Krishna was born here. Later it was the capital of his kingdom.
From the Mauryan times Mathura was known for its sculpture. Amazingly a great school of sculpture flourished here for nearly a millennium, with the sculptors using the typical red sandstone with beige spots. During the Kushan period the icon was born here, first of the Buddha and then of Hindu gods and Jain tirthankaras. Some of the finest ancient sculptures on both Buddhist and hindu themes were created here and the craftsmen carved the icons of every religion with the same careful devotion. As a centre of sculpture Mathura must have had many magnificent temple. The museum at Mathura has an excellent collection of the art of the region.
The main temple in Mathura is the keshavdev temple, also called Krishna Janmasthan as it is supposed to mark the spot where Krishna was born. It is said that the original temple was built by Vajranabha, the great grandson of Krishna and many temples have been built and destroyed at this site. One temple that was built by the Gupta king Chamdragupta Vikramaditya in the 5th century was destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni. The next one was demolished by Sikandar Lodi in the 16th century. Another built by the king of Orchha during the reign of Jahangir was flattened by Aurangzeb, who used the material to build a mosque. The basement of that temple survived and the present Dwarkadeesh temple was built in 1814 by Seth Gokuldas of Gwalior.
How to Reach
By Air
Delhi airport is the nearest to Mathura, approximately 52 km away.By Rail
Mathura has its own railway station, well connected with major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, etc.By Road
The city of Mathura lies on the National Highway-2 and has regular bus services to Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana.Nearby Cities