About Mathura and Vrindavan

Mathura :

The city of Mathura widely known as birth place of lord Krishna is located on the bank of river Yamuna. It is 145 Km south-east of Delhi and 58 Km north west of Agra , the city of Taj . This virtuous land is termed as the Brajbhoomi and is the most important pilgrimage for the Hindus. As per epic Mahabharat Mathura was the capital of the Surasena Kingdom, ruled by Kansa the maternal uncle of Krishna.

A religiously important place, Mathura is among the top list of a Hindu pilgrim. There are so many temples in the city. The main places to visit are Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Vishram Ghat, Sati Burj, Kans Qila, Jama Masjid, Dwarkadheesh Temple , and the Archeological Museum . 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. The land of Braj starts from Kotban near Hodel about 95 km from Delhi and ends at Runakuta which is known specially for its association with the poet Surdas, a Krishna devotee.

Mathura is technologically-advanced oil refinery owned by the Indian Oil Corporation. This is one of the largest oil refineries of Asia . On the industrial aspect, Mathura is home to a flourishing Silver polishing industry and Sari-printing and water tap factories.

Vrindavan :

Vrindavan, around 15 km, north of Mathura on the bank of Yamuna, almost as closely associated with Krishna . It is the most important pilgrimage sites in Braj. There are about 4,000 big and small temples in the city of Vrindavan , apart from the numerous bathing ghats. The most famous as well as the finest temple in Vrindavan is that of Govinda Deva. Also known by the name Vrindaban, Brindavan, or Brindavana, or Brindaban it is the site of the original mythic forest or forested region, in which the Hindu deity Krishna spent his childhood. He was raised there in the cowherding village of Gokula by foster parents.

Two major categories of the stories of Krishna are placed in this forest. First, there are the stories of him as a child, killing demons, stealing butter and indulging in childhood pranks. Secondly, there are the stories of him as a young man, playing with the girls and young women of the village.

In recent decades the name of Vrindavan has often been used within India, to represent an idyllic place or garden. What is comparatively a matter of detail is that Vrindavan is believed to have been the stage on which Krishna performed his famous romantic and sportive roles.