'..And when the Lord Krishna himself sets himself up for pranks and petulance, what can a mother do?
The line quoted above is taken from the Krishna Purana, an all-encompassing epic covering the life and times of Lord Krishna, an important incarnation of Lord Vishnu. A major part of the Purana is based about the birth and childhood of Krishna in Mathura.
As the birth place of the Lord Krishna himself, Mathura has come to be known for centuries as a very holy place for the Hindus and an equally enchanting tourism hub for tourists. It is known as the city of love and mischief, as these are the two traits that define Krishna's childhood quite aptly. Hundreds of temples can be found within city limits of Mathura, with various gods and goddesses being worshipped in a variety of ways.
Located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Mathura is also known as a central hub of religion, from where important holy places in North India can be accessed easily via railway. Varanasi, Ayodhya, Gaya and Prayag are among popular tourist destinations around Mathura.
Other than being a city famous for romantic escapades of Lord Krishna, Mathura is also an important industrial town and a major producer of various crops and commodities. It attracts a large number of residents from the heartlands of northern India, with its factories and mills creating jobs of numerous kinds.
Mathura is believed to have been inhabited for over 3 millennia. Its strategic position along the banks of Yamuna River is reason enough to believe that claim, along with various excavated artefacts.
To make your trip to Mathura a truly memorable outing, you need to plan quite diligently, because India can throw up a lot of surprises at the unplanned and the unprepared!
This quick and short guide to hotels in Mathura might, at any rate, come in handy while planning out your itinerary.
Cheap Lodging in Mathura
In India, as frequent visitors would surely know, it is quite possible to get a good hotel at rock bottom prices. However, the major criterion to be applied here should be hygiene and safety, rather than comfort and luxury.
Although Mathura is relatively safe for visitors, it's always the best idea to keep in preparation. Hence, we would strongly advise potential tourists who wish to visit Mathura not to fall for dirt-cheap prices that some shabby and cheap hotels with questionable motives offer.
Hotel Heera Celebration is one such hotel that defies all expectations of rates and amenities but still comes out strong at the other end. Average nightly prices as low as $10 can be availed of, if you plan well in advance. It is located nearby many important sites as well, making it easier for guests to get around in the city.
Hotel Mukund Palace “ contrary to its grand name “ is our next pick in the budget category of hotels in Mathura. It provides a comfortable and safe stay without any hassles at very low prices.
Luxury Hotels in Mathura
To be fair and clear, to go to Mathura with high expectations of luxury would only lead to a disappointment. Despite being a major tourism hub (over 1.2 million tourists visit Mathura each year), Mathura has not been developed as a city as much as it should have been. As a direct result of that, one would struggle to find truly luxury Mathura hotels.
Brijwasi Lands Inn is the only hotel here that comes anywhere close to being call extravagant and luxurious. Located along the national highway that leads to Delhi, this is easily accessible by road or railway. The building of the hotel clearly stands out from other buildings of the region, making it a sort of landmark in the area. Although the hotel calls itself an ˜inn', it really is a semi-luxury resort (the only of its kind among Mathura hotels) where you can find a good deal of comfort and peace from the utter chaos and hullabaloo of Mathura.
Sightseeing in Mathura
Sightseeing in Mathura can be an overwhelming experience if you don't manage your itinerary well enough. It is very common to find travelers stuck up in a situation where they know they have a lot left to see, but too little time to see it in. This eventually leads to frustration, making your whole trip a sour experience.
Dwarakadheesh Temple and Krishna Janma Bhoomi are two of the most famous sites here in Mathura. It is a large precinct that includes the birthplace of Lord Krishna (Holy Dungeon) and the stylish temple erected in the early years of the 19th century.
Govardhan Parvata (Govardhan Mountain) is a mid-sized mountain located just outside the city limits of Mathura. It has great significance in Hindu scriptures, prompting thousands of devotees to scale it in order to pray.
Banke Bihari Temple is another beautifully chaotic place here. It is also called as Vrindavan, and is believed to be the wooing ground where Lord Krishna's flirtations with the gopis of Mathura would ensue as the dusk would fall.
Things Tourists Need to Know Before Sightseeing in Mathura
- Tourists need to be aware of the fact that without properly stamped and signed passport/visa copies, it would be very difficult to arrange for a room in Mathura.
- Hundreds of monkeys can be found throughout the city, and it's advised not to attract their attention with food or gestures.
- Being a holy land, it is rather difficult to find anything but vegetarian food in Mathura.
- Overly cheap hotels should not be considered for lodging.
Best Time to Visit Mathura
The best time of the year to visit Mathura is the month of September. In September, the weather around these parts of India is quite pleasant, with temperatures of summer brought down by rains.
Also, by visiting in September, one can witness the amazing ambiance that prevails in Mathura on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami (Birth Event of Lord Krishna). The entire city draped in flowers and scents, with thousands of devotees dancing without a care in the world to the tune of divine flue of Krishna himself is a sight you will never want etched off your memory!