'''Mathura''' is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India.
Get in
By Train
Mathura is an important railways junction. Most trains between Delhi and Agra stop in Mathura. The journey from Delhi takes 2 - 3 hours depending on the train type, while from Agra the trip takes about one hour. Most of the south bound and west bound trains stop at Mathura. August Kranti Rajdhani Express(for Mumbai) for Delhi stops at Mathura. Other than that almost all major trains from Delhi and Agra stop at Mathura. It is well connected to national capital New Delhi, state capital Lucknow and all major cities by rail.
from Sultanpur/Varanasi/Lucknow you may take train No. 3237/3239 Patna-Mathura.
By Road
Mathura is situated in between Delhi and Agra on National Highway 2, about 150 km south of Delhi and 50 km north of Agra. NH-2 is one of the best highways of country. Upcoming Taj expressway is in east of the city. Mathura is well connected to national capital New Delhi, state capital Lucknow and all major cities by road. Many state transport departments busses are running through Mathura.
By Air
Nearest airport is Agra (Kheria Airport); It is 50 KM from Mathura. Perhaps most of the international and domestic flights are landing into IGI Airport, New Delhi. IGI Airport is 150 KM from Mathura. Upcoming new international airport will also been accessible via Taj expressway [1.5 hr] from Mathura.
Get around
'''Nature Lover:'''
Kelva Dev Sanctuary, Bharatpur [35 KM West]
Keetham Bird Sanctuary, Keetham, NH-2 [35 KM South]
Back Water of Gokul Barrage [2 KM South]
Rural Mathura on bank of river Yamuna
'''Pilgrim:'''
Vrindavan [10 KM North East]
Goverdhan [20 KM West]
Gokul [10 KM East]
Barsana [40 KM North West]
Nandgaon [45KM North West ]
Baldeo [22 KM South East]
'''International Tourist:'''
Agra, City of Taj [50 KM South]
Fatehpur Sikiri, Capital city of Mougal King Akbar [60KM South West]
Jaipur, Pink City [225 KM West]
New Delhi [140 KM North]
Lucknow, City of Nawabs [300 KM East South]
Benares [Varanasi], City of God [500 KM East South]
See
'''Place to Visit in Mathura'''
'''Pilgrim:'''
Shri Krishna Janm Bhoomi [Birth Place of Lord Kirshna] Temple
Shri DwarikaDheesh Temple in City
Shri Yamuna ji Aarti in eveing at Vishram Ghat
Shri Ganesh Temple at Ganesh Tila
Birla Temple
Gayatri Tapo Bhumi and Akhand Jyoti Santhan
'''Tourist:'''
Above mentioned places
Old Fort [Locally known as Kans Quila]
Basantar Park [in memory of the victory of Basantar [1971 war
Rifle Club of Mathura [One of its own kind club. Do not expect rifle shooting now days]
Lightning of Mathura Refinery in evening [if you are coming from Agra in evening than you can enjoy this beautiful scene]
McDonand [Asia_fs biggest McDonald restaurant]
'''International Tourists:'''
Above mentioned places
Museum [Biggest and Richest in Asia for Mathura and Gandhar Sculpture]
If you are in Mathura then first thing to see is Sri Krishna Janma Bhoomi.
'''Krishna Janma Bhoomi'''. There is 2 main place to visit in this complex. First is a prison cell where ''Vasudev'' and ''Devaki'', parents of Sri Krishna were held captive. This place is on the left hand side of the main complex. This is the cell were Bhagwan Sri Krishna was born hence the most sacred place in world for all the followers of Bhagwan Sri Krishna. One cannot miss the spiritual and mystical power in the cell. After darsan here visit a magnificent temple. The idol of Sri Krishna and Radha are so beautiful and has a soothing effect on the devotees. I am sure a any nonbeliever will also feel the magic. There are many other idols of gods here. Walls and ceiling are painted with some of the most events in the life of Sri Krishna. One can climb up the stairs if authority allows to get a great view of idols.
'''Jaigurudeo Temple''',[https://www.jaigurudeo.org].also named "Naam Yog Sadhna Mandir" is constructed by gerat saints Baba Jaigurudeo,[https://jaigurudevworld.org]. It resembles the Tajmahal, built with white marble. It is a unique temple in that you are prohibited from donating if you are a non-vegeterian.
'''Jama Masjid''' Built by Abo-inNabir-Khan in 1661.A.D. the mosque has 4 lofty minarets, with bright colored plaster mosaic of which a few panels currently exist.
'''Vishram Ghat''' The sacred spot where Lord Krishna is believed to have rested after slaying the tyrant Kansa.
'''Dwarkadheesh Temple''' : Built in 1814, it is the main temple in the town. During the festive days of Holi, Janmashthami and Diwali, it is decorated on a grandiose scale.
'''Gita Mandir''' Situated on the city outskirts, the temple carving and painting are a major attraction.
'''Govt. Museum''' Located at Dampier Park, it has one of the finest collection of archaeological interest. Rare items from the Gupta and Kushan period (400 B.C.-1200A.D.) are on display. Major attraction for tourists.
'''Mathura Jain Chorasi''' located on NH-2, it is the worship place of Jains. Here is the largest statue of Lord Jambu Swami & is is made up of single piece of greynite stone. This statue is about 21 feet in hight in sitting position of lord Jambu Swami.
Do
Enjoy evening Yamuna ji ki Aarti at vishram ghat
Have fantastic street food [chat] in old city
Boating in Holy river Yamuna
Respect all elders and ladies in Mathura
Go to Vishram Ghat, on the banks of Yamuna River, see the river and huge turtles
If you like spirituality, enjoy Satsung or Bhagvat-Katha @ Shri Kirshna Janm Sthan
If you are visiting Mathura in Sept - Oct, than you can enjoy Ramleela [Play act based on Lord Ram]
Beware of Monkeys / Cows in old city streets
Beware of Touts and Local Pundaas. You may be cheated/ looted by them
Do not do any Immoral activity
Buy
Brass/ Copper Pooja Articles
Pooja Articles
Clothes
Sweets
Milk Products
Souvenir Articles from Govt. Museum
Leather shoes from factory Outlets on NH-2 [towards Agra]
many more items
Eat
'''Street food'''
Suresh ke Mangode, Samose [Ghiya Mandi, Opp Bhargava Street] [aftre 5 pm]
Bhagvan Das ka Bhalla [Ghiya Mandi, Opp Jain Street] [after 5 pm]
Brijwasi Chat Wala [Near Khadi Ashram, Tilak Dwar] [after 5 pm]
Om Pahlwan Kachori wala [Near Holi Gate, Opp Brijwasi Mithai wala] [8am -11am]
There are many other chat walas, it depends upon your taste. I advise you to taste these chat on the vendor who are situated from Holi Gate to Chowk bazaar.
'''Lunch / Dinner [Indian]'''
Radha Ashok Restaurant, [NH-2 and at Highway Plaza at NH-2]
Royal Brijwasi Restaurant [SBI crossing, near railways station]
Agrawal Dhaba on NH-2
Many other restaurants in city
For budgeted and hygienic food one can go to Sri Krishna Janma Bhoomi temple just a block away from the temple complex there a canteen run by the temple trust. Here once can try Thaali's with limited and unlimited version. Taste is good and one thing for sure its more clean than any other eateries.
'''Snacks / Pizza / Burger etc'''
McDonald on NH-2
Pizza Hut on Nh-2 Hiway Plaza
Domino_fs Pizz on Nh-2 Hiway Plaza
Cafe Coffee Day on Nh-2 Hiway Plaza
'''peda for someone you love'''
Mathura Paede (sweet made of milk and sugar)- Peda lovers can have the actual taste of Mathura Pede in Mathura from the few of the following famous sweet shops:
Gusai Pede Wala, near Vishram Ghat
Bharatpuria mithai wala, Chowk Bazar 0565-3293585
Brijwasi Misthan Bhandar, Chowk Bazar, Holi Gate, Sri Krishna Janam Sthan
Bhagwan Misthan Bhandar, Holi Gate
Shankar Misthan Bhandar, Holi Gate
Prabhudayal Misthan Bhandar, Chowk Bazar
The above are only few examples but still there are many more sweet shops preparing the actual taste of Mathura Peda. Tourists must enquire from local residents for buying good quality peda rather than cursing the taste of pedas later on. Tourists please avoid buying pede from hawkers / thelawalas.
Few other famous and tasty sweets item from Mathura are:
Rabadi
Khurchan
Raj Bhog
Khurchan Laddu
Drink
Lassi served in a clay glass
Sweetened hot milk served in a clay glass
Jaljeera - a digestive drink.
Milk Badam (almonds and other dryfruits minced in chilled milk)
Sleep
Best Western Radha Ashok. asani - Bypass Road, P.O : GTB, Mathura, India - 281001. 91 565 2530396 . ttp://www.bestwesternindia.com/region-north-india/bwindia-mathura/best-western-radha-ashok-home.aspx. Whether you are traveling to Mathura for business or a leisurely vacation through India, you'll find immaculate style and comfort at Best Western Radha Ashok. Guests at the boutique Best Western Radha Ashok enjoy personalized service and exceptional value in hotel lodging. Added amenities include meeting and banquet space, onsite dining, and close proximity to interesting things to do in Mathura.
Hotel Rahi [ITDC] Ph: +91 565 2407822
International Guest House, Krishna Janm Bhoomi Ph: +91 565 2405888
Hotel Madhuvan Ph: +91 565 2420064, 2420058, e-mail: madhuvanhotel@yahoo.co.in
Hotel Goverdhan Palace Ph: +91 565 2409919
Hotel Brijwasi Royal
Hotel Mukund Palace
Hotel Mansarovar Palace Ph: +91 565 2408686
Hotel Dwaper Resorts on NH-2
Country Inn, Kosi, NH-2 Ph: +91 566 2232445
Many small budget guest houses
Many good Motels are also available on NH-2
Get out
Vrindavan, the City of Temples
You can also visit the city of Ayodhya (the birth place of Lord Rama).There are many trains and buses for Ayodhya from Mathura(526km).