Mathura is located 145 km south east of Delhi, and 58 km northwest of Agra. It is a holy city in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The place was recognized as an economic hub during the ancient period.

Mathura is the birthplace of Krishna (Krishnajanmabhoomi). It is believed that Lord Krishna was born here in a cell of a prison, which once stood at Mathura. Now at this site the Keshav Dev temple is built. According to the Mahabharata Mathura was the capital of the Surasena Kingdom, ruled by Kansa the maternal uncle of Krishna. The historic town of Mathura is the district headquarters of Mathura. The district is part of Agra division.

History of Mathura
Megasthenes, the Greek traveller, in his travelogue mentions Mathura as a great city under the name Méthora.

In the 6th century BC Mathura became the capital of the Shursen republic.During the 4th to 2nd century BC Mathura was ruled by the Mauryans. In the 2nd century BC, the state was ruled by the Sunga dynasty. In the 6th century BC Mathura became the capital of the Shursen republic. Between 180 BC and 100 BC Mathura came under the control of the Indo-Greeks.However, it reverted to Indian rule before being occupied by the Indo-Scythians during the 1st century BC. During the first to the third centuries. The city served as one of the two capitals of the Kushan Empire.

It is said that in 634 Hsüan-tsang, the famous Chinese traveler visited the Mathura town. In 1018, the city was plundered by Mahmud of Ghazni. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb is said to have destroyed the Keshav Dev temple of Mathura.

Geogarphy of Mathura
Mathura, the holy city in the state of Uttar Pradesh is bounded by Aligarh district on the northeast, Hathras District on the southeast, Agra District on the South and by Haryana state on the northwest. Mathura is located at 27.5° N 77.68° E. Mathura has an average elevation of 174 metres.

Places of interest in Mathura

The places of interest are:

The Dwarikadheesh Temple

The Juma Masjid

The Mathura Museum

The Kans Kila

The Vishram Ghat

The Barsana

Vrindavan

RadhaKund

Gita Mandir

The Krishna Janama