114-488: Mathura ( Hindi pronunciation: [mɐ.t̪ʰʊ.ɾäː] , ) is a city and the administrative headquarters of Mathura district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh . It is located 57.6 kilometres (35.8 mi) north of Agra , and 146 kilometres (91 mi) south-east of Delhi ; about 14.5 kilometres (9.0 mi) from the town of Vrindavan , and 22 kilometres (14 mi) from Govardhan . In ancient times, Mathura
228-795: A torana (gateway), vedika (terrace) and chatuhsala (quadrangle) at the Mahasthana (great place) of Bhagavat Vasudeva. Several male torsos representing the Vrisni heroes were also found in a shrine in Mora dating to the time of Mahakshatrapa Sodasa . During the rule of the great Kushanas , art and culture flourished in the region and reached new heights and is now famously known as the Mathura School of Art . The Kushans took control of Mathura some time after Mahakshatrapa Sodasa , although several of his successors ruled as Kushans vassals, such as
342-624: A Shunga presence were ever found in Mathura. The Indo-Greeks may have taken control, direct or indirect, of Mathura some time between 180 BCE and 100 BCE, and remained so as late as 70 BCE according to the Yavanarajya inscription , which was found in Maghera , a town 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Mathura. The opening of the 3 line text of this inscription in Brahmi script translates as: "In
456-944: A black board akin to stock prices. Mathura is home to the Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Veterinary University , the first of its kind in the state and the fourth in the country to be made independent veterinary universities. The University is located on the Mathura-Agra road, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Mathura. Many schools like Parmeshwari Devi Dhanuka , Hanuman Prashad Dhanuka , Kanha Makhan Public School , Kanha Makhan Millenium School , Amarnath Vidya Ashram , Sacred Heart, Mathura , St. Dominics , Ramanlal Shorawala , SRBS International School , Braj shiksha sadan school and Rajiv International School are also located here. Mathura School of Art , style of Buddhist visual art that flourished in
570-508: A center of trade due to its location where the northern trade route of the Indo-Gangetic Plain met with the routes to Malwa (central India) and the west coast . Archaeologists have discovered a fragment of Mathura red sandstone from Rakhigarhi - a site of Indus Valley civilisation dated to third millennium BCE - which was used as a grindstone; red sandstone was also a popular material for historic period sculptures . By
684-477: A city in the western region experiences temperatures around 35-40 °C in summers and 7-12 °C on winters. Gujarat also has a warm climate with hot summers and cool winters. Marathi , Gujarati and Kokani are widely spoken languages in Western India. The majority follow Hinduism and there are significant minority who follow Islam and smaller number who follow Christianity . There are also
798-545: A committee of trustees (goshtijana), built a large temple of Vishnu, brilliantly white and touching the clouds. Jajja was a vassal of the Gahadavalas in charge of Mathura, and the committee mentioned in the prasasti could have been of an earlier Vaishnava temple. The temple built by Jajja at Katra was destroyed by the forces of Qutubuddin Aibak , though Feroz Tughlaq (r. 1351–88 CE) was also said to have attacked it. It
912-416: A fast and break it at midnight when Krishna was believed to have been born. Devotional songs, dance performances, bhog and aartis are observed across Mathura-Vrindavan. Mathura district Mathura district is situated along the banks of the river Yamuna is a district of Uttar Pradesh state of north-central India . The historic city of Mathura is the district headquarters. Mathura district
1026-585: A few indigenous Jews called the Bene Israel who speak Marathi . The Parsees who settled in Gujarat made Mumbai and Surat their home. Significant percentages of Jains and Buddhists can be found too. Most Christians live in the state of Goa. Overall, 83.66% of the population is Hindu , 10.12% Muslim , 4% Buddhist with Christians in Goa and Maharashtra making up the majority of the remainder. Marathi,
1140-583: A gift to Gopala Bhatta Gosvami who built the temple. There is no deity of Radharani in this temple, but a crown is kept next to Krishna signifying her presence. Jaipur Temple which was built by Sawai Madhav Singh, the Maharaja of Jaipur in 1917, is a richly embellished and opulent temple located in Vrindaban. The fine hand - carved sandstone is of unparalleled workmanship. The temple is dedicated to Radha Madhav. Shahji Temple , another temple at Vrindavan,
1254-500: A great and well populated city, with splendid buildings and a great circuit of walls. The ruins plainly indicate how imposing its buildings were. For out of these forgotten ruins are dug up columns and very ancient statues, of skilful and cunning workmanship. Only one Hindu temple is left out of many; for the Musalmans have completely destroyed all except the pyramids. Huge crowds of pilgrims come from all over India to this temple, which
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#17327719798491368-511: A knower of truth and destroyer of oppression as the zephyr of the garden of victory and the reviver of the faith of the Prophet, issued orders for the demolition of the temple situated in Mathura, famous as the Dehra of Kesho Rai. In a short time by the great exertions of his officers, the destruction of this strong foundation of infidelity was accomplished and on its site a lofty mosque was built by
1482-659: A monastery called Yasha Vihara of the Gupta period, as well as Jain sculptures of the same era. Archaeological excavations at Mathura show the gradual growth of a village into an important city during the Vedic age . The earliest period belonged to the Painted Grey Ware culture (1100–500 BCE), followed by the Northern Black Polished Ware culture (700–200 BCE). Mathura derived its importance as
1596-463: A pilgrimage which began at Mathura, then proceeded to Gokul , the Yamuna , the pool of Kaliya, Vrindavan , Govardhan , and finished at Dwarka . The eleventh century Kashmiri poet, Bilhana visited Mathura and Vrindavan after leaving Kashmir en route to Karnataka. The city was sacked and many of its temples destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1018 CE. The capture of Mathura by Maḥmūd Ibn Sebüktegīn
1710-411: A resemblance particularly evident in the colossal standing Buddha images of the early Kushān period. In these, and in the more representative seated Buddhas, the overall effect is one of enormous energy. The shoulders are broad, the chest swells, and the legs are firmly planted with feet spaced apart. These days, around 1,000 craftsmen are involved in making wall hangings at Holi gate and Chowk Bazaar in
1824-544: A respectable family in Bhagalpur, Bihár, and was an excellent soldier, administrator, and companion; he was at the same time so learned, that he was ordered to assist in the compilation of the Fatáwá i 'Alamgiri [the great code of Muhammadan laws]. He received a daily allowance of three rupees.'+ (Haásir i ’Alamgiri, pp. 92 to 91.) Hasan ’Alí Khán retained his office from 1080 to Sha'bán 1087 (October, 1676), when Sulțán Qulí Khán
1938-726: A simulation of an overall NBC (nuclear-chemical-biological) environment. The aim was to show operational ability in high intensity, short duration and 'sudden' battles. Mathura is governed by a number of bodies, the most important being the Mathura Nagar Nigam (Municipal Corporation), which is responsible for the master planning of the city. Now the responsibilities of planning of the city as well as urban areas ( including nagar nigam ) handed over to MATHURA-VRINDAVAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (in brief- "M V D A"). The Authority established in 1977. Mathura Lok Sabha constituency elects MP from this district. In 2019 Hema Malini (BJP) won
2052-431: Is 31.6% in comparison with the state average of 33.1%. But the most alarming statistic is that of mothers who had at least 3 antenatal care visits during the last pregnancy, which is only 21% as compared to the state average of 64.4%. One of the major contributors in the economy of Uttar Pradesh are Mathura Industries. Mathura Refinery located in the city is one of the biggest oil refineries of Asia. This oil refinery of
2166-485: Is a big centre for production of cotton materials;prominent among them being pure white bleached cotton sarees for women and dhotis for men, and cotton niwar tapes for beds. It is also a hub for production of milk based sweet meats, prominent among them being mathura Pedas and burfis. Renowned as the place where rivers of milk flowed, Mathura till today boasts of Milk trading centres where you can buy any amount of fresh milk where rates vary every few minutes and are notified on
2280-424: Is a sacred ground, a field of active power, a place where Moksha , final release can be obtained. The Garuda Purana enumerates seven cities as giver of Moksha, They are Ayodhya , Mathura, Māyā , Kāsi , Kāñchī , Avantikā , Puri and Dvārāvatī . Shri Krishna Janmbhoomi is a Hindu temple complex located in heart of city of Mathura . Hindus consider it as one of the most sacred place as they believe that
2394-405: Is a unique blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, as a result of it formerly being part of Portuguese India for 450 years. The state is popular amongst tourists for its beaches, Goan cuisine , temples , churches and architecture . The Churches and Convents of Goa have been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO . The cuisine of Western India is diverse. Maharashtrian cuisine
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#17327719798492508-562: Is adjacent to Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi believed to be over a Hindu temple . He also changed the city's name to Islamabad. In 1669, Aurangzeb issued a general order for the demolition of Hindu schools and temples, in 1670, specifically ordered the destruction of the Keshavadeva temple. Saqi Mustaid Khan recorded: On Thursday, 27th January/15 Ramzan (27 January 1670)... the Emperor as the promoter of justice and overthrower of mischief, as
2622-473: Is also often included and Haryana , western Uttar Pradesh and southern Punjab are sometimes included. Western India may also refer to the western half of India, i.e. all the states west of Delhi and Chennai , thus also including Punjab , Kerala and surrounding states. The region is highly industrialised, with a large urban population . Roughly, Western India is bounded by the Thar Desert in
2736-582: Is an important group of temples built around what is considered to be the birthplace of Krishna . The temple complex contains Keshav Deva temple, Garbha Griha shrine, Bhagavata Bhavan and the Rangabhoomi where the final battle between Krishna and Kamsa took place. The Dwarkadheesh Temple is one of the largest temples in Mathura. Vishram Ghat at the bank of river Yamuna is said to be the place were Krishna had rested after killing Kamsa . Other notable Hindu religious sites and heritage locations includes
2850-501: Is around 76%, higher than the national average of 70.5%. The population density is around 290 per square km. The average fertility rate is about 2.2, while the average household size is about 4.7. The states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa are culturally varied and distinct. Maharashtrian culture derives from the ancient Hindu Vedic culture influenced deeply by the Maratha Empire. Maharashtrians take great pride in
2964-536: Is between 100,000 and 125,000 per day, whereas on festive and auspicious days it is over twice the population of urban area. The majority of people in Mathura are Hindus. Muslims are equally divided between rural and urban areas while the Hindu population is mainly rural. Languages of Mathura district (2011) At the time of the 2011 Census of India , 75.20% of the population in the district spoke Hindi , 22.25% Braj and 0.81% Urdu as their first language. Mathura
3078-528: Is called Mokshyadayni Tirth. The Kesava Deo Temple was built in ancient times on the site of Krishna's birthplace (an underground prison ). Mathura was the capital of the kingdom of Surasena , ruled by Kamsa , the maternal uncle of Krishna. Mathura is part of the Krishna circuit (Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana , Govardhan , Kurukshetra , Dwarka and Bhalka ). Krishna Janmashtami is grandly celebrated in Mathura every year. Mathura has been chosen as one of
3192-639: Is described by the historian al-Utbi (Abu Nasr Muhammad ibn Muhammad al Jabbaru-l 'Utbi) in his work Tarikh Yamini as follows: The wall of the city was constructed of hard stone, and two gates opened upon the river flowing under the city, which were erected upon strong and lofty foundations, to protect them against the floods of the river and rains. On both sides of the city there were a thousand houses, to which idol temples were attached, all strengthened from top to bottom by rivets of iron, and all made of masonry work; and opposite to them were other buildings, supported on broad wooden pillars, to give them strength. In
3306-429: Is diverse and ranges from bland to fiery hot. Pohay , Shrikhand , Pav bhaji and Vada pav are good examples of Maharashtrian cuisine . Goan cuisine is dominated by the use of rice, coconut, seafood, kokum and cashew-nuts. With its distinct spices and medium of cooking as coconut oil, both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian cuisine is equally popular. Gujarati cuisine is almost exclusively vegetarian. Gujarat
3420-539: Is home to many important sites associated with goddess Radha and Lord Krishna , who was born in Mathura and grew up in the nearby town of Vrindavan . Both cities are some of the most sacred sites in the Vaishnava tradition, making Mathura district an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. The District is part of Agra division . Total area of Mathura district is 3340 sq. km. There are 5 tehsils in Mathura district. Mathura has an ancient history. The district lies in
3534-595: Is how the practice arose of ladies accompanying military expeditions. The mother of Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao , Kashitai performed her famous pilgrimage for four years in the north, visiting Mathura, Prayag , Ayodhya , Banaras , and other holy places. Mathura is a holy city in Hinduism and is considered the heart of Brij Bhoomi , the land of Krishna. The twin-city to Mathura is Vrindavan . There are many places of historic and religious importance in Mathura and its neighbouring towns. Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex
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3648-414: Is located at 27°17′N 77°25′E / 27.28°N 77.41°E / 27.28; 77.41 . It has an average elevation of 174 metres (570 feet ). The climate of Mathura is tropical extreme with very hot summers with temperatures rising beyond 44 °C, and cold and foggy winters with the temperature dipping to 5 °C. The average rainfall is 793 mm, received mostly during
3762-460: Is located near Kesi Ghat in Vrindaban and also called as Kesi temple. Radharaman Temple is another name of ancient Hindu god Krishna which means "one who gives pleasure to Radha". The seva puja of Radharamana was established in 1542, after the Deity self-manifested from a saligram-sila. Also kept in this temple is the wooden sitting place (hoki) and shawl (chaddar) or Chaitanya, that he gave as
3876-461: Is made up of white marble. Idols of Radha Krishna and Sita Rama are present on the ground floor and first floor respectively. The whole premises of temple is covered with different art works depicting the pastimes of Radha Krishna. Sri Vrindavan-Chandra Mandir (HKM Vrindavan), located in Vrindavan, is a replica of that supreme Goloka Vrindavana in the spiritual sky. It was inaugurated in 2006 on
3990-462: Is managed by followers of Vallabhacarya. The temple is fairly interesting architecturally. People engaged in Bhajan Kirtan inside temple before daily morning prayer (Mangla Aarti gives an impression of festival and celebration. Gita Mandir is situated at a distance of nearly five kilometers from Mathura Junction (in way of Vrindaban from Matura city) is an attraction of Mathura. The mandir
4104-602: Is notable for archaeological artefacts, especially those from the Kushan and Gupta empires. It has sculptures associated with Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Krishna Janmashtami is grandly celebrated every year in Mathura. Every year 3 to 3.5 million devotees celebrate Janmashtami in Mathura, with the maximum number of devotees visiting the Keshav Deva temple and the Dwarkadheesh temple. Devotees generally observe
4218-512: Is one of three states in India, with prohibition on alcohol, along with Mizoram and Manipur . In contrast, Maharashtra has some of the best vineyards in India , with Nashik and Sangli districts being the country's biggest grape-producing districts. The region generates 24.00% of the national GDP of the country, with an annual growth rate of 14.5% as of 2006. The states generate about 23% of
4332-423: Is over, the figures are adorned with colourful stars and mica pieces to make them attractive. One of the most brilliant art works of Mathura School of Paintings is Goddess Lakshmi in the midst of lotus flowers. Mathura is one of the seven most holy places for Hindus in India. Ayodhyā Mathurā Māyā Kāsi Kāñchī Avantikā I Purī Dvārāvatī chaiva saptaitā moksadāyikāh II - Garuḍa Purāṇa I XVI .14 A Kṣetra
4446-625: Is situated on the high bank of the Jomanis ( Yamuna )... The Keshavadeva temple was rebuilt by the Bundela Rajput Rajah Vir Singh Deo at a cost of thirty-three lakh rupees when the gold was priced at around ₹ 10/- per tola . And the grand structure of the temple in Mathura was regarded a "wonder of the age". The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb , built the Shahi-Eidgah Mosque during his rule, which
4560-400: Is the most widely spoken language in Western India with about 73 million speakers, followed by Gujarati with about 46 million speakers and Konkani 2.5 million speakers, all of which are Indo-Aryan languages . As in other parts of India, a high level of multilingualism is seen with English and Hindi being spoken as additional languages in urban areas. The average literacy rate of West India
4674-759: The Indian Oil Corporation is a highly technologically advanced oil refinery. Mathura Refinery is the first in Asia and third in the world to receive the coveted ISO-14001 certification for Environment Management System in 1996. Textile printing industry that includes both sari-printing and fabric dyeing and silver ornaments manufacturing are major industrial contributors to the region. Majority of these silver ornaments include silver jewellery and statues for gods and goddesses including Krishna. Apart from these other industries are water tap manufacturing units and other decorative and household items. Mathura also
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4788-461: The Kushan dynasty which had Mathura as one of their capitals, the other being Purushapura ( Peshawar ). The dynasty had kings with the names of Kujula Kadphises , Kanishka , Huvishka and Vasudeva I . Megasthenes , writing in the early 3rd century BC, mentions Mathura as a great city under the name Μέθορα ( Méthora ). The Indo-Scythians (aka Sakas or Shakas ) conquered the area of Mathura over Indian kings around 60 BCE. The district
4902-709: The Mahi , Narmada , Tapi , Godavari , Zuari , Mandovi , Krishna , Ghaggar , Chambal and many other smaller tributaries of other rivers. The climate varies between tropical monsoon , tropical savanna , semi arid and desert . The coastal regions experience little seasonal variations although the temperatures range between 20 °C to 38 °C. Mumbai and northern Konkan regions experience cooler winters with minimum temperatures hovering around 12 °C. Interior Maharashtra experiences hot summers with maximum temperatures averaging 40 °C and mild winters with minimum temperatures averaging about 10 °C. Pune,
5016-651: The Maratha Empire , and many places in Maharashtra are named after the founder of the Empire, Shivaji . Marathi literature and cinema are popular in the state as well as across India. Bollywood has had a huge impact on the lifestyle and culture of this part of India as the industry is primarily located in Mumbai. Gujarati culture is a blend of Indian culture and foreign influence. It has been influenced by
5130-511: The Parsis , who migrated to Gujarat from Persia about a 1000 years ago. Gujarat also saw Turkic and Mughal conquests, as well as a constant stream of back and forth migrations to and from Sindh and Rajasthan, which helped shape the unique cultural landscape of the state. Cultural Events like Rann Utsav, International Kite Festival and Global Garba festivals have been started in Gujarat to showcase its culture internationally. Goa's culture
5244-677: The Punjab to the sea, including the Delta and the island of Kutch ), Gurjara (which comprised Western Rajputana and the Indian Desert ), and Balabhi (which comprised the peninsula of Gujarat , with a small portion of the adjacent coast). Before the partition of India , the now-Pakistani territories of Sindh and Balochistan were also included in this region. In art history, the term normally covers just Gujarat and Rajasthan, which tend to move together in terms of style. Western India has
5358-670: The second-largest gross domestic product of any region in India. Parts of Gujarat were the site of Indus Valley civilisation . Places have been uncovered in Gujarat at Lothal , Surkotada , and around Ghaggar river in Rajasthan . The Western Indian region was ruled by the Rashtrakuta Empire, the Maurya Empire, the Gupta Empire , Rajputs , Satavahanas , Western Satraps , Indo Greeks , Kadambas etc. in
5472-518: The states of Goa , Gujarat , and Maharashtra along with the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu , while the Ministry of Culture and some historians also include the state of Rajasthan . The Geological Survey of India includes Maharashtra but excludes Rajasthan whereas Ministry of Minority Affairs includes Karnataka but excludes Rajasthan . Madhya Pradesh
5586-483: The "Lila Sthan" (the place of the divine passion play) of Krishna, lies the temple that is a must visit destination for devotees completing the 84 kosh Vraj Parikrama Yatra. The temple is centuries old and is the first Indian temple that is dedicated to the divine couple and their Ashta Sakhi's - the eight "companions" of Radha who were intimately involved in her love play with the Krishna. The Ashta Sakhis are mentioned in
5700-464: The 'Destroyer of Hindu deities'. The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb , built the city's Jami Masjid . The noteworthy fact is that the exact place of birth of Krishna, according to historians, is in the place of worship of the Hindus, though the mosque was built near the birthplace of Krishna. The bigger Krishna shrine, better known as Dwarkadheesh temple is a few metres away from birthplace of Krishna. It
5814-591: The 116th year of the Yavana kingdom..." or '"In the 116th year of Yavana hegemony" (" Yavanarajya ") However, this also corresponds to the presence of the native Mitra dynasty of local rulers in Mathura, in approximately the same time frame (150 BCE—50 BCE), possibly pointing to a vassalage relationship with the Indo-Greeks. After a period of local rule, Mathura was conquered by the Indo-Scythians during
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#17327719798495928-638: The 116th year of the Greek kings..." The Indo-Scythian satraps of Mathura are sometimes called the "Northern Satraps", as opposed to the " Western Satraps " ruling in Gujarat and Malwa . After Rajuvula , several successors are known to have ruled as vassals to the Kushans , such as the "Great Satrap" Kharapallana and the "Satrap" Vanaspara, who are known from an inscription discovered in Sarnath , and dated to
6042-611: The 3rd year of Kanishka (c 130 AD), in which they were paying allegiance to the Kushans. Mathura served as one of the Kushan Empire 's two capitals from the first to the third centuries. Fa Xian mentions the city, as a centre of Buddhism about AD 400; while his successor Xuanzang , who visited the city in 634 AD, which he mentions as Mot'ulo, and said that it contained twenty Buddhist monasteries and five Brahmanical temples. Later, he went east to Thanesar , Jalandhar in
6156-620: The 6th century BCE Mathura became the capital of the Surasena mahajanapada . The city was later ruled by the Maurya empire (4th to 2nd centuries BC) and the Shunga Empire dynasty (2nd century BC). It may have come under the control of Indo-Greeks some time between 180 BCE and 100 BC. It then reverted to local rule before being conquered by the Indo-Scythians during the 1st century BC. Mathuran art and culture reached its zenith under
6270-490: The Gita Mandir, Govind Dev temple, ISKCON temple, Kusum Sarovar , Naam yog Sadhna Mandir , Peepleshwar Mahadeo Temple and Yum Yamuna Temple Kankali Tila brought forth many treasures of Jain art. The archaeological findings testify the existence of two Jain temples and stupas. Numerous Jain sculptures, Ayagapatas (tablet of homage), pillars, crossbeams and lintels were found during archaeological excavations. Some of
6384-760: The Indo-Scythian "Great Satrap" Kharapallana and the "Satrap" Vanaspara , both of whom paid allegiance to the Kushans in an inscription at Sarnath , dating to the third year of the reign of the Kushan emperor Kanishka the Great c. 130 CE. Mathuran art and culture reached its zenith under the Kushan dynasty which had Mathura as one of its capitals. The preceding capitals of the Kushans included Kapisa (modern Bagram, Afghanistan), Purushapura (modern Peshawar, Pakistan) and Takshasila / Sirsukh / (modern Taxila, Pakistan). Mathura ateliers were most active during
6498-438: The Mathura, from the 2nd century bc to the 12th century A.D; its most distinctive contributions were made during the Kushan and Gupta periods (1st–6th century A.d). Images in the mottled red sandstone from the nearby Sīkri quarries are found widely distributed over north central India, attesting to Mathurā's importance as an exporter of sculpture. The Mathura School images are related to the earlier yakṣa (male nature deity) figures,
6612-594: The Rasa Lila with his beloved Radha and her sakhis. On these nights, devotees have reported hearing the sound of the anklets, beating in tune to a divine melody. Govind Deo Temple was once a seven storeyed structure built in the form of a Greek cross. It is said that the Emperor Akbar donated some of the red sandstone that had been brought for the Red Fort at Agra, for the construction of this temple. Built at
6726-642: The ancient texts of Puranas and the Bhagavata Purana . The temple is called Shree Radha Ras Bihari Ashta Sakhi Mandir and it is home to the divine Rasa Lila of Krishna and Radharani . It is located in close proximity to the Banke Bihari Temple . Legend has it that the Shree Radha Rasa Behari Ashta Sakhi Mandir is one of the two places in Mathura, Vrindavan where the Krishna actually indulges in
6840-830: The ancients times. During the medieval age, the area was under the rule of the Vaghela dynasty , the Gujarat Sultanate , and the Delhi Sultanate . Thereafter, the area was under Mughal rule. Later, the Maratha Empire which arose in western Maharashtra came to dominate a major portion of the Indian sub-continent. However, its defeat by the British in the Anglo-Maratha wars left most of India under colonial rule. The region then experienced great upheavals during
6954-428: The astronomical cost of one crore rupees in 1590 by his general Man Singh, the temple combines western, Hindu and Muslim architectural elements in its structure. Western India Goa: Gujarat: Maharashtra: Western India is a loosely defined region of India consisting of western states of Republic of India . The Ministry of Home Affairs in its Western Zonal Council Administrative division includes
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#17327719798497068-439: The bathing-stairs leading to the river, and ordered that no Hindus should be allowed to bathe there. He forbade the barbers to shave the beards and heads of the inhabitants, in order to prevent the Hindus following their usual practices at such pilgrimages. In Tarikh-i Daudi, of 'Abdu-lla (written during the time of Jahangir ) said of Sikandar Lodi: He was so zealous a Musulman that he utterly destroyed divers places of worship of
7182-700: The centre of the cultural region of Braj has an ancient history and is also believed to be the homeland and birthplace of Krishna, who belonged to the Yadu dynasty. According to the Archaeological Survey of India plaque at the Mathura Museum , the city is mentioned in the oldest Indian epic, the Ramayana . In the epic, the Ikshwaku prince Shatrughna slays a demon called Lavanasura and claims
7296-414: The centre of the cultural region of Braj . According to the Archaeological Survey of India plaque at the Mathura Museum , the city is mentioned in the oldest Indian epic, the Ramayana . In the epic, the Ikshvaku prince Shatrughna slays a demon called Lavanasura and claims the land. Afterwards, the place came to be known as Madhuvan as it was thickly wooded, then Madhupura and later Mathura. In
7410-426: The city in 634 CE, mentions it as Mot'ulo, recording that it contained twenty Buddhist monasteries and many Hindu temples. Later, he went east to Thanesar , Jalandhar in the eastern Punjab , before climbing up to visit predominantly Theravada monasteries in the Kulu valley and turning southward again to Bairat and then Mathura, on the Yamuna river . The famous female Alvar saint, Andal visualised going to
7524-462: The city was sacked again by Sikandar Lodi, who ruled the Sultanate of Delhi from 1489 to 1517 CE. Sikandar Lodi earned the epithet of 'Butt Shikan', the 'Destroyer of Idols'. Ferishta recorded that Sikandar Lodi was a staunch Muslim, with a passion for vandalising heathen temples: He was firmly attached to the Mahomedan religion, and made a point of destroying all Hindu temples. In the city of Mathura he caused masjids and bazaars to be built opposite
7638-418: The coils of the sacred Shesha-nag. The temple built in the Dravidian style has a tall gopuram (gateway) of six storeys and a gold - plated Dhwaja stambha, 50 feet high. A water tank and a picturesque garden lie within the temple enclosure. The annual festival of Jal Vihar of the presiding deity is performed with great pomp and splendour at the tank. The temple is also known for its `Brahmotsdav' celebration during
7752-592: The dancing peacocks, while sitting in a pleasant cave of the Goverdhan Mountain" Chinese Buddhist Monk Faxian mentions the city as a centre of Buddhism about 400 CE. He found the people were very well off, there were no taxes other than for those on farmers who tilled the royal land. He found that people did not kill animals, no one consumed wine, and did not eat onion or garlic. He found that engraved title deeds were issued to land owners. Visiting priests were provided with accommodation, beds, mats, food, drinks and clothes to perform scholarly works. Xuanzang , who visited
7866-530: The decade 2001-2011 was 22.53%. Mathura has a sex ratio of 858 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 72.65%. 29.68% of the population lived in urban areas. Scheduled Castes made up 19.89% of the population. The district has about 1,600,000 voters, including 3,00,000 Jat people , 1,50,000 Thakur , 1,70,000 Brahmin and 150,000 Dhangars . Mathura receives a large number of daily visitors besides pilgrims who stay for an average of 3 days. Mathura's urban area's floating population on normal days
7980-413: The early decades of the first century CE, found in a village seven miles from Mathura, stated that images pratima(h) of the blessed ( bhagavatam ) five Vrishni heroes , were installed in a stone shrine of a person called Tosa. The heroes were identified from a passage in the Vayu Purana as Samkarsana, Vasudev , Pradyumna, Samba, and Aniruddha. The English translation of the inscription read:- . . . of
8094-418: The eastern Punjab , before climbing up to visit predominantly Theravada monasteries in the Kullu valley and turning southward again to Bairat and then Mathura, on the Yamuna river . The city was sacked and many of its temples destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1018 and again by Sikandar Lodhi , who ruled the Sultanate of Delhi from 1489 to 1517. Sikander Lodhi earned the epithet of 'But Shikan',
8208-444: The election. Health care facilities in Mathura are provided by Central, State and Local government facilities, besides numerous private providers. As per the recent District Level Household and Facility Survey (DLHS-3) 2007 – 2008, only 33% of currently married women are using a modern method of contraception, which is lower than the state average of 34.8%. Usage of any modern method, though, is higher in Mathura (29.4%) in comparison to
8322-433: The entire quantity of gold yielded by the bodies of these idols, was ninety-eight thousand three hundred miskals. The idols of silver amounted to two hundred, but they could not be weighed without breaking them to pieces and putting them into scales. The Sultan gave orders that all the temples should be burnt with naphtha and fire, and levelled with the ground. The temple at Katra was sacked by Maḥmūd Ibn Sebüktegīn . A temple
8436-523: The epoch of the great Kushan emperors Kanishka, Huvishka , Vasudeva whose reign represents the Golden Age of Mathura sculpture . During the third century, Nagas ruled Mathura after decline of Kushan Empire. In the reign of Chandragupta Vikramaditya , a magnificent temple of Vishnu was built at the site of Katra Keshavadeva. Kalidasa , hailed as the greatest poet and dramatist in Sanskrit , in
8550-419: The expenditure of a large sum... Praised be the august God of the faith of Islam, that in the auspicious reign of this destroyer of infidelity and turbulence, such a wonderful and seemingly impossible work was successfully accomplished. On seeing this instance of the strength of the emperor's faith and the grandeur of his devotion to God, the proud Rajas were stifled, and in amazement they stood like images facing
8664-484: The first century BCE. The Indo-Scythian satraps of Mathura are sometimes called the " Northern Satraps ", as opposed to the " Western Satraps " ruling in Gujarat and Malwa . However, Indo-Scythian control proved to be short lived, following the reign of the Indo-Scythian Mahakshatrapa ("Great Satrap") Rajuvula , c. 10 –25 CE. The Mora Well inscription of Mahakshatrapa Rajuvula , of
8778-462: The fourth-fifth century CE mentioned the groves of Vrindavan and Govardhan hill as: "...the king of Mathura, whose fame was acknowledged in song even by the devatas... At that moment, though still in Mathura, it appears as if Ganga has merged with Yamuna at the Sangam... In a Vrindavan garden which is superior even to Kubera's garden, known as Chaitra-ratha... You can, as well, during rains, look at
8892-544: The heritage cities for the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India. Traditionally it is believed that it was founded by Shatrughna after killing Yadava Lavana at the site of Madhuvana. According to Ramayana it was founded by Madhu (a man of the Yadu tribe ). Later on Madhu's son Lavanasura was defeated by Satrughana. Madhu says all the territory of Mathura belongs to Abhiras . Mathura, which lies at
9006-513: The holy places with the result that they have become infected with evil. Besides, the holy people are full of sorrow. At such a time Krishna alone is my way. The Portuguese , Father Antonio Monserrate (1536 CE-1600 CE), who was on a Jesuit mission at the Mughal Court during the times of Akbar , visited Mathura in 1580–82, and noted that all temples built at sites associated with the deeds of Krishna were in ruins:- It (Mathura) used to be
9120-598: The idolatrous rites of the infidels there; and no Hindu, if he wished to have his head or beard shaved, could get a barber to do it. Every city thus conformed as he desired to the customs of Islam. Vallabhacharya and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu arrived in the Braj region, in search of sacred places that had been destroyed or lost. In Shrikrsnashrayah , that make up the Sodashagrantha , Vallabha said of his age: The Malechchhas (non-Hindus in this context) have surrounded all
9234-470: The idols there were five made of red gold, each five yards high, fixed in the air without support. In the eyes of one of these idols there were two rubies, of such value, that if any one were to sell such as are like them, he would obtain fifty thousand dinars. On another, there was a sapphire purer than water, and more sparkling than crystal; the weight was four hundred and fifty miskals. The two feet of another idol weighed four thousand four hundred miskals, and
9348-433: The infidels, and left not a vestige remaining of them. He entirely ruined the shrines of Mathura, the mine of heathenism, and turned their principal Hindu places of worship into caravanserais and colleges. Their stone images were given to the butchers to serve them as meat-weights, and all the Hindus in Mathura were strictly prohibited from shaving their heads and beards, and performing their ablutions. He thus put an end to all
9462-409: The land. Afterwards, the place came to be known as Madhuvan as it was thickly wooded, then Madhupura and later Mathura. The most important pilgrimage site in Mathura was Katra ('market place'), now referred to as Krishna Janmasthan ('the birthplace of Krishna'). Excavations at the site revealed pottery and terracotta dating to the sixth century BCE, the remains of a large Buddhist complex, including
9576-422: The middle of the city there was a temple larger and firmer than the rest, which can neither be described nor painted. The Sultan thus wrote respecting it :— " If any should wish to construct a building equal to this, he would not be able to do it without expending an hundred thousand thousand red dinars, and it would occupy two hundred years, even though the most experienced and able workmen were employed." Among
9690-459: The modern pilgrimage circuit. "The rebellion in Mathurá district seems to have gained ground. 'On the 14th Rajab, 1080, [28 November 1669], his Majesty left Dihlí for Akbarábád, and almost daily enjoyed the pleasures of the chase. On the 21st Rajab, whilst hunting, he received the report of a rebellion having broken out at Mauza' Rewarah, Chandarkah, and Surkhrú. Hasan 'Ali Khán was ordered to attack
9804-463: The monsoons from July to September. Region of Mathura was added to British territory in 1803 A.D. Till 1832 A.D, when Mathura was recognised as district, the region was partly administered from Agra and partly from Sadabad . Mathura is the home for Indian I Corps (Strike Formation) within the Indian Army's Central Command, hosting Strike I Corps headquarters in a large classified area in
9918-543: The month of Chaitra (March - April), more popularly known as the `Rath ka Mela'. The ten-day-long celebrations are marked by the pulling of the rath (the chariot car) by the devotees from the temple to the adjoining gardens. Jugal Kishor Temple was built in the 17th century after Emperor Akbar's visit to Vridaban in the year 1570, he ordered four temples to be built by the Gaudya Vaisnavas, which were Madana-mohana, Govindaji, Gopinatha and Jugal Kisore. The temple
10032-547: The most auspicious day of Sri Rama Navami day. The temple is housed in an ultra-modern geodesic structure with a traditional gopuram based on khajuraho style of architecture, greeting pilgrims at the entrance. The major festivals of the temple are Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Sri Radhashtami, Kartik Fest (7-day festival during Govardhan Puja time) and Gaura Purnima. Grand abhishekas are performed for Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan-chandra during festivals such as Radhashtami and Janmashtami. Shree Radha Ras Bihari Ashta Sakhi Temple : In Vrindavan,
10146-577: The next four hundred years the Jains and Hindus were unable to erect any temples that were not sooner or later demolished. Many of the sites that had been places of religious importance were abandoned and gradually sank beneath the earth. But some of them were not forgotten, owing to the persistence of oral tradition, the refashioning of a temple into a mosque, or the presence of humble shrines, some of which housed sculptural fragments of earlier buildings. Several of them have survived as places of significance in
10260-642: The north, the Vindhya Range in the east and north and the Arabian Sea in the west. A major portion of Western India shares the Thar Desert with North India and Pakistan and the Deccan Plateau with South and Central India . In ancient history, Western India was divided into three great states according to Hwen Thsang , namely Sindh (which comprised the whole valley of the Indus from
10374-525: The northern semi arid region and the southern humid region submerge. The Western Ghats lie along the coast of South Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa. The Deccan plains of the Vidarbha , Marathwada in central and eastern Maharashtra define the rest of the region. The vegetation varies from tropical rainforests along the Konkan coast to thorny bushes and shrubs in northern Gujarat. The rivers in this region are
10488-433: The outskirts of the city known as Mathura Cantonment (Central Command itself has its headquarters at Lucknow ). It hosts Strike Infantry units, Air Defence units, Armoured Divisions, Engineer brigades, Aritillery Units and classified units of Strategic Nuclear Command . Corps I is primarily responsible for western borders of India. In 2007 during Exercise Ashwamedha, all the armoured, artillery and infantry divisions performed
10602-474: The pilgrim town of Mathura. These wall hangings delve on religious themes and mostly revolve around Radha and Krishna seated on a swing, Krishna playing flute along with Radha and Gopis, Krishna with herds of cattle, Goddess Saraswati, Vaishno Devi and Vishnu. Wall hangings have the gods and goddesses in highly embellished form, marking the highpoints of the Mathura School of Paintings. Once the brush work
10716-410: The rebels at night, which he did, and the firing lasted till 12 o'clock the next day. The rebels, unable longer to withstand, thinking of the honour of their families, now fought with short arms, and many imperial soldiers and companions of Hasan ’Alí were killed. Three hundred rebels were sent to perdition, and two hundred and fifty, men and women, caught. Hasan ’Alí, in the afternoon, reported personally
10830-493: The result of the fight, and was ordered to leave the prisoners and the cattle in charge of Sayyid Zain ul-'Abidin, the jágirdár of the place. Çaf Shikan Khán also (who after ’Abdunnabí's death had been appointed Faujdár of Mathura) waited on the emperor, and was ordered to tell off two hundred troopers to guard the fields attached to the villages, and prevent soldiers from plundering and kidnapping children. Námdár Khán, Faujdár of Murádábád, also came to pay his respects. Çafshikan Khán
10944-411: The sacred forests of Braj , and, on his return to Mathura, founded religious establishments and celebrated Holi . During the period of the expansion of Maratha Empire , pilgrimage to the holy places in the north became quite frequent. Pilgrims required protection on the way and took advantage of the constant movement of troops that journeyed to and back from their homeland for military purposes. That
11058-611: The sculptures are provided with inscriptions that report on the contemporary society and organisation of the Jain community. Most sculptures could be dated from the second century BC to the 12th century CE, thus representing a continuous period of about 14 centuries during which Jainism flourished at Mathura. These sculptures are now housed in the Lucknow State Museum and in the Mathura Museum. The Mathura Museum
11172-486: The sixth century BCE Mathura became the capital of the Surasena Kingdom . The city was later ruled by the Maurya empire (fourth to second centuries BCE). Megasthenes , writing in the early third century BCE, mentions Mathura as a great city under the name Μέθορα ( Méthora ). It seems it never was under the direct control of the following Shunga dynasty (2nd century BCE) as not a single archaeological remain of
11286-450: The son of mahakṣatrapa Rāṃjūvula, svāmi . . . The images of the holy paṃcavīras of the Vṛṣṇis is... the stone shrine... whom the magnificent matchless stone house of Toṣā was erected and maintained... five objects of adoration made of stone, radiant, as it were with highest beauty... The Mathura inscription of the time of Mahakshatrapa Rajuvula 's son, Mahakshatrapa Sodasa recorded erection of
11400-403: The state's average of 26.7%. The percentage of IUD, Pill and Condom usage is again below the state average. The DLHS 3 estimates unmet Family Planning need in Mathura at 38.9%: 9.8% unmet need for spacing methods and 29.1% unmet need for limiting methods. The percentage of birth of order 3 and above is quite high at 46.9%. Mathura has lesser percentage of girls marrying before 18 years of age, which
11514-455: The struggle for Indian Independence . Gandhi 's Dandi March took place in Gujarat. The region became part of independent India in 1947, and the present state boundaries were drawn based on linguistic considerations in 1956. The region consists of the predominantly arid to semi-arid region of Saurashtra and Kutch in the North. The region South of that of Cambay and Southern Gujarat makes
11628-452: The temple stands on the same place where ancient Hindu god Krishna was born. The complex have a Keshavdev temple where spiritual environment could be felt during morning prayer (Mangla Aarti ). The temple complex have a museum, where numerous articles excavated from the site related to story of Sri Krishna’a birth are displayed. Dwarkadheesh Temple , built in 1814, is a temple near the banks of Yamuna river in Mathura city. This temple
11742-517: The wall. The idols, large and small, set with costly jewels, which had been set up in the temple, were brought to Agra, and buried under the step of the mosque of the Begum Shahib in order to be continuously trodden upon. The name of Mathura was changed to Islamabad. The Muslim conquest resulted in the destruction of all Buddhist , Jain , and Hindu temples and monuments in and around Mathura. Buddhism , already in decline, never revived, and for
11856-454: The world's tallest temple under-construction at Mathura . At cost of ₹ 300 crore (US$ 36 million) it will be one of the most expensively built temple in world by ISKCON . Prem Mandir is a religious and spiritual complex situated on a 54-acre site on the outskirts of Vrindavan, is one of the newest temples dedicated to Radha Krishna . The temple structure was established by spiritual guru Kripalu Maharaj. The main structure of temple
11970-549: Was an economic hub, located at the junction of important caravan routes. The 2011 Census of India estimated the population of Mathura at 441,894. In Hinduism , the birthplace of Krishna , one of the main deities in that religion, is believed to be located in Mathura at the Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex . It is one of the Sapta Puri , the seven cities considered holy by Hindus , also
12084-475: Was appointed Faujdír of Mathurá.", Asiatic Society of Bengal , Proceedings According the biographer of Raja Jai Singh , Atmaram, when Jai Singh was campaigning against the Jat Raja Churaman Singh , he bathed at Radha kund on the full moon of Kartik, went to Mathura in the month of Shravan in 1724, and performed the marriage of his daughter on Janmashtami . He then undertook a tour of
12198-655: Was at last caught by Hasan ’Alí Khán and his zealous peshkár, Shaikh Razíuddin, and he was now sent with the Shaikh to Agrah, where by order of his Majesty he was executed. Kokila's son and daughter were given to Jawahir Khán Nazir [a eunuch]. The girl was later married to Shah Quli, the well-known Chelah; and his son, who was called Fázil, became in time so excellent a Hafiz [one who knows the Qorán by heart], that his Majesty preferred him to all others and even chaunted passages to him. Shaikh Razíuddin, who had captured Kokila, belonged to
12312-512: Was built by Birla, one of the leading industrial powers of India. The architecture of the temple attracts tourists from all over India. The whole of Gita, the sacred book of the Hindus, is inscribed on the temple. Carvings and paintings also enhance the temple. There is an image of Krishna is present in the sanctum of the Mandir. Rangaji Temple , built in 1851 is dedicated to Ranganatha or Rangaji depicted as Vishnu in his sheshashayi pose, resting on
12426-473: Was built in 1815 by Seth Gokuldas Parikh, Treasurer of Gwalior . According to the 2011 census Mathura district has a population of 2,547,184, roughly equal to the nation of Kuwait or the US state of Nevada . This gives it a ranking of 167th in India (out of a total of 640 ). The district has a population density of 761 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,970/sq mi). Its population growth rate over
12540-584: Was built to replace it in 1150 CE. The Mathura prasasti (Eulogistic Inscription) dated Samvat (V.S.) 1207 (1150 CE), said to have been found in 1889 CE at the Keshava mound by Anton Fuhrer , German Indologist who worked with the Archaeological Survey of India, recorded the foundations of a temple dedicated to Vishnu at the Katra site: Jajja, who carried the burden of the varga, together with
12654-468: Was designed and built in 1876 by a wealthy jeweller, Shah Kundan Lal of Lucknow. The deities at the temple are popularly known as the Chhote Radha Raman. Noted for its architecture and marble sculpture, the temple has twelve spiral columns each 15 feet high. The `Basanti Kamra' - the darbar hall is famed for its Belgian glass chandeliers and fine paintings. Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is
12768-430: Was removed from his office, and Hasan 'Ali Khán was appointed Faujdár of Mathura, with a command of Three Thousand and Five Hundred, 2000 troopers, and received a dress of honour, a sword, and a horse. * * * On the 18th Sha'bán [1st January, 1670), his Majesty entered Agrah. Kokilá Ját, the wicked ringleader of the rebels of District*......, who had been the cause of ’Abdunnabí's death and who had plundered Parganah Sa'dábád,
12882-573: Was repaired and survived till the reign of Sikandar Lodi (r. 1489–1517 CE). In the twelfth century, Bhatta Lakshmidhara, chief minister of the Gahadavala king Govindachandra (r. 1114–1155 CE), wrote the earliest surviving collection of verses in praise of the sacred sites of Mathura in his work Krtyakalpataru, which has been described as "the first re-statement of the theory of Tirtha-yatra (pilgrimage)". In his Krtyakalpataru, Bhatta Lakshmidhara devoted an entire section (9) to Mathura. Later on
12996-519: Was then ruled by the Guptas and the Vardhas(Harsha) before falling into the hands of local Rajput and Jat rulers The findings of ancient stone inscriptions in Maghera , a town 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Mathura, provide historical artifacts giving more details on this era of Mathura. The opening of the 3 line text of these inscriptions are in Brahmi script and were translated as: "In
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