Have you experienced the serene aura of people chanting “Radhe Radhe” or “Radhe Krishna” in their day-to-day conversations? If not, pack your bags for Mathura & live that peaceful feeling.

Mathura is around 183 kilometers from Delhi through Yamuna Expressway. So, if you are taking a one-day trip from Delhi to Mathura, you will reach there in 4 hours. You can book an hourly hotel in Mathura for relaxation and cover these exquisite temples in a day!

Mathura Nagari during Holi festival (Image Source: Unsplash, Ravi Sharma)

Mathura: Holy Place for Hindus

Mathura is known as the homeland of a Hindu God, Lord Shree Krishna. In Hinduism, the places where it is believed that gods have descended on Earth are known as Pilgrimage Centers (or holy teerths). There are 7 holy pilgrimage centers in India. Mathura is one of them.

That's the reason, Mathura experiences many temples dedicated to God Krishna. People of Mathura are peaceful, happy & sweet talkers. They have welcoming eyes for tourists. Bell sounds & chanting of mantras from temples add to the serene environment of Mathura.

So, let's dive in to the 4 iconic temples of Mathura, you must visit on your tour to Mathura!


1. Shri Krishna Janam-Bhoomi Temple Compound

Shri Krishna Janam-bhoomi Compound (Image Source: Railyatri.com)

Mythological Importance

In Mathura, Lord Shree Krishna is believed to be as reincarnated as the son of Devaki and Vasudeva. But his wicked maternal uncle, Mathura king Kansa, wanted to kill him due to a prophecy that the son of Devaki will end him & his empire. Therefore, he put pregnant Devaki & Vasudev in prison.

But as destiny permitted, Vasudeva was able to save his newborn son (Lord Krishna). He took his baby in a wooden basket & swam through the Yamuna river to put the baby in the safe hands of Nanda & Yashoda in Gokul. That's how the Hindu Lord Krishna was born.

Architecture of Temple Compound

The entrance of the temple compound is a decorated majestic gate. A statue structure was built depicting God Shri Krishna on his Ratha (carriage) drawn by horses. This temple compound consists of many temples, shrines, and other buildings.

I. Garbh Girha Temple : The name "Garbh Girha" means the place of the womb. The prison cell, where God Krishna was born, is the main part of this temple compound. The temple is considered one of the most pious places for Hindus.

II. Other Temples: Within the temple compound, Keshavdeva Temple is present which is built by a famous businessman Ramakrishna Dalmia in memory of his mother.

Near Keshavdeva temple, there is another building named Bhagavata Bhavan. In this building, shrines of Radha and Krishna, Balarama, Subhadra & Jagannath, Rama, Sita & Lakshman, Hanuman, Durga & Shiv linga are present.

Tips for Better Experience

·       Do not miss mesmerizing morning aarti (5:30 am) & scenic evening aarti (6 pm), and makhan bhog distribution (8-8:30 am).

·       You can enjoy the light and sound show in the evening showing the story of God Krishna's birth in the evening.

·       If you are here for a day, book an hourly hotel in Mathura, as you can cover up this temple in 2 to 3 hours.


2.  Dwarkadheesh Temple (or Jagat Mandir)

Dwarkadheesh Temple (Image Source: uptourism.gov.in)

If the Shri Krishna Janam-Bhoomi compound is the first option for devotees & tourists, Dwarkadheesh Temple is the second! This temple is one of the oldest temples of Mathura. The grand temple was built by an ardent Krishna devotee & once a treasurer of Gwalior, Seth Gokul Das Parikh in 1814.

Architecture of Temple

The hugely colorful ceilings, rows and pillars in temple showcases beautiful Rajasthani style carvings and paintings. Different aspects of deity Krishna's life has been drawn through these intricate designs. The temple is a 5-storeyed building standing on 72 pillars.

What’s Different in This Temple?

Usually, the idol of God Shree Krishna is painted blue, and with his flute & one garland on the neck & wearing a dhoti. In this temple, a black marble statue of the deity Krishna is present. The idol has 4 arms, carrying a lotus flower, a sound-creating shell (shankh), a protecting weapon (gada), and a sacred disc-style rotating weapon (Sudarshan Chakra).

Tips for Better Experience

·       Before the morning aarti (6 am), you can visit nearby Vishram Ghat & enjoy the beautiful sunrise of Yamuna river & Yamuna aarti too!

·       You can visit especially during the celebrated Hindola Utsav of this temple, when the statue of diety sits on swing set.

·       Agra is around 1.5 hours from the temple. You can book budget friendly hotel for a few hours in Agra.


3.  Birla Temple (or Gita Mandir)

Gita Mandir (Image Source: fabhotels.com)

Built with red sandstone, the grand Birla Temple is on the Mathura-Vrindavan highway. Jugal Kishore Birla, son of the founder of the Birla group, built this magnificent temple in memory of his parents in 1946. The unique architecture gives you a mix of Indian & Western designs.

Architecture of Temple

The central part of the temple contains a ornamented idol of diety Krishna. On the side walls, you can find beautifully carved idols of God Rama & Goddess Sita, God Vishnu & Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Indra. In between spaces, you can also find spectacular paintings.

What’s Different in the Temple?

There are two unique aspects of the Birla Temple.

·       Gita Stambh Tower - The 50-meter tall tower contains inscriptions of all 18 chapters & 700 verses of the holy book, Bhagwat Gita. Visitors come here & make rounds of this tower to get blessings from this wisdom book.

·       Shree Krishna Chariot With Arjun as a Passenger - The marvelous statue of a chariot with God Shree Krishna as a charioteer & Pandava Arjun as a Passenger, as described in the pious book of Bhagwat Gita.

Tips for Better Experience

·       You can enjoy the view of the lush green lawn outside the temple compound, sit there & capture pictures there!

·      As the temple is on the Mathura-Vrindavan highway, you can visit Vrindavan in 15 to 20 minutes from here. So, my advice is to book an hourly hotel in Mathura & plan your trip to Birla temple & Vrindavan temples accordingly!


4.  Chamunda Devi Temple

Chamunda Devi Temple is also one of the most visited temples during the Navratri festival. There are so many fascinating stories around the temple space.

What’s Different in the Temple?

There are no idols or statues of deity in the main worshipping temple structure! There are many fascinating stories about the temple believed by locals & legends.

·       In the era of Satyug, A python seeked blessings from Goddess Chamunda Devi that received a liberation boon from re-birth cycle from God Krishna.

·       It is said that an influential Hindu Yogi Goraknath & the Rishi Shandilya got enlightenment in this temple.

·     It is believed that the Goddess Gayatri's hair strand fell on the same place where the temple stands.

Tips for Better Experience

The temple is far from Mathura city. So, while visiting the temple, make sure that you plan for Vrindavan temples & Agra monuments too!

As the temple location is 18-20 minutes from Vrindavan & about an hour from Agra, you can book a hotel for a few hours in Mathura or an hourly hotel in Vrindavan for cost-saving travel! This way, you only pay for the time you stay!

Kusum Sarovar (Image Source: Instagram, kevinstandage1)

Final Words

In the end, I would like to say that visiting these temples will make you feel more peaceful. Make sure to keep in mind the tips I have mentioned in the above blog for a more enriching experience.

So, when are you going to the magical Mathura Land? Plan a trip, book the hourly-based hotels & save your money, and dive into this God Krishna Nagari!

Till then, "Radhe Krishna" :)