Mathura Yatra | The Advent Place of Lord Sri Krishna | Vraja Mandala Parikrama
Important places to visit in Mathura:
1. Sri Krishna Janmasthana
2. Sri Lal Varaha and 3. Sri Sveta Varaha Temples
(Useful information: Sveta Varaha temple can be reached by taking the left-side lane just besides the famous Dvarakadisa temple towards the Manik Chowk. At the chowk there is a signboard for the temple. Along the same street, on top of the hill is the Sri Lal Varaha Temple.)
4. Sri Kaliya Mardana, Sri Dauji Ki Haveli and Sri Laxmi Narayana Temples
(Useful information: They are situated adjacent to Sri Lal Varaha Temple at Manik chowk.)
5. Sri Padmanabha Ji Temple
(Useful information: This temple is located on the Inner Parikrama Marg of Mathura, which is locally known as Sri Mathura-puri Antargrahi Parikrama Marg. Take the Papad Wali Gali and walk towards Gopal Mandir on a narrow side road and climb further up. The exact location is: 808 Ratan Kund, Mathura. Satrughna Temple and Padmanabha Ji Temple are located nearby.)
6. Kubja Bhavan - The House of Kubja
(Useful information: Kubja’s House is at a short distance from Rangesvara Mahadeva Temple and can be reached by taking a path going from just behind. Alternatively, one can also visit here by coming from Vraja Mandala Parikrama Marg. The exact location is: House No- 1698, Holi Gate, Krishna Puri Colony, Antapara. Located in Sri Rangesvara Mahadeva Bagichi.)
7. Kamsa Tila and Rangabhumi - The Wrestling arena of Kamsa
(Useful information: This is located a short walk from the famous Sri Rangesvara Mahadeva temple.)
8. Sri Rangesvara Mahadeva Temple
9. Visrama Ghata and Yamuna-Yamaraja Temple
10. Sri Kapila Varaha Temple
(Useful information: This temple is on the banks of Ashkunda ghata near famous Dwarkadisa temple and close to Visrama-ghata.)
11. Satrughna Temple
(Useful information: This temple is located on Papad Wali Gali near Gopal Mandir in downtown Mathura. It is a short walk from the famous Dwarkadisa temple. There is a big signboard in front of the temple.)
12. Dhruva Ghata
(Useful information: It is situated to the south of the Bengali ghata in Mathura on the banks of Yamuna River. It is on Vraja Mandala Parikrama Marg.)
13. Sapta Rsi Mandira - Rsi Tirtha
(Useful information: It is a 5 mins walk from Dhruva-ghata to the north of Bengali-ghata on Vraja Mandala Parikrama Marg.)
14. Bali Tila
(Useful information: It is on a small hillock near Surya-ghata, 200 meters walk from Sapta Rsi Mandira, while going towards Kubja’s House through the back road leading to the famous Rangesvara Mahadeva temple.)
15. Ambarisa Tila, Cakra Tirtha and Durvasa Muni Asrama
(Useful information: It is not easy to locate Ambarisa-tila as there is no signboard, and not many locals know the significance of this important tirtha. Entrance is through Sri Baba Jaharveer Mandir. On top of this board, "Taposthali of Maharaja Ambarish" is engraved in a black stone. The nearest landmark is RCA College, Kacchi Sadak, Vrindavan Road.)
16. Lord Nrsimhadeva Temple
(Useful information: This is located directly across the main lane that goes to Sri Bhutesvara Mahadeva Temple.)
17. Sri Adi Varaha, Balabhadra Kunda, Uddhava Ji Temple, Baldeo Ji Temple and Gaudiya Matha
(Useful information: It is located near the Bhuteswara Mahadeva temple at Panchayati Halwai Bagichi, directly opposite to Balabhadra Kunda on the lane that goes besides Lord Nrsimhadeva temple.)
18. Sri Bhutesvara Mahadeva Temple
19. Sri Dirgha Vishnu Temple
(Useful information: It is situated near Bharatpura Gate on the Ghiya Mandi Road. From Mathura Railway Junction head towards west and turn right towards Hathras-Mathura Road then turn right at Chandra Software technologies, pass the Mathura Roadways Bus workshop and take first left towards Junction road. Turn left at SR Computer Annexe onto Junction Road. Pass by Bagh Bahadur Chowki. On the left is Dirgha Vishnu Temple at Kotwali Road, Chowk Bazaar, Mathura.)
20. Sri Kesava Ji Gaudiya Matha – Where A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada accepted Sannyasa
(Useful information: It is situated close to Sri Rangesvara Mahadeva Temple and a short walk from Kamsa-tila.)
21. Sri Dwarkadisa Temple
22. Sri Vijaya Govind Ji and Sri Govardhana Nathji Maharaja Temples
(Useful information: Sri Vijaya Govind Ji temple is located at Chatta Bazar. Sri Govardhana Nathji Maharaja Temple is located near Sri Dwarakadhisa Mandira.)
23. Kamsa Qila - Residence of Kamsa
24. Sri Gaura Govinda Gaudiya Matha
(Useful information: It is situated close to Potra Kunda and Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi.)
The glorious city of Mathura, the advent place of Lord Sri Krishna, is situated 10 km from Vrindavana and is one of the seven most sacred cities (sapta-puris). Srila Rupa Gosvami describes in Upadesamrta (Nectar of Instructions), Mathura as superior even to Vaikuntha. Mathura is shaped like a half-moon. When Lord Caitanya travelled to Vrindavana, He came to Mathura first. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 17.156 describes, "When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu entered the city of Mathura, He took His bath at Visrama-ghata. He then visited the birthplace of Krishna and saw the Deity named Kesavaji. He offered His respectful obeisances to this Deity."
Mathura-puri is endowed with unique temples and ancient deities. Apart from Sri Krishna Janmasthana, the Advent place of Lord Krishna, there are several important places worth visiting as per the list above. Mathura is situated on seven hills and surrounded by various forests (vanas) and kundas. In the Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 12, the glories of Mathura are described as follows: In the Varaha Purana there is a statement praising the residential quarters of Mathura. Lord Varaha tells the men of earth, "Any person who becomes attracted to places other than Mathura will certainly be captivated by the illusory energy." In the Brahmanda Purana it is said that all the results of traveling on all the pilgrimages within the three worlds can be achieved simply by touching the holy land of Mathura.
Visrama Ghata is at the centre of Mathura city. Along its edge are 25 ghatas, 12 on either side. ‘Visrama’ means “rest”. Lord Krishna rested here on the banks of Yamuna River after killing Kamsa. Lord Varaha also rested here after His victory over Hiranyaksa. Bhakti-ratnakara describes the glories of Visrama-ghata and Mathura. Lord Varaha is known as Dharani-dhara because He held the earth on His tusk. At Visrama-ghata, He is still holding the earth, highlighting the fact that Mathura is spiritual and not part of the earth. On 9 October 1932, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura initiated the first Vraja Mandala Parikrama from Visrama-ghata.
Mathura is ordained by four ancient and exquisitely beautiful deities of Lord Varaha, namely Sri Sveta Varaha, Sri Lal Varaha, Sri Kapila Varaha and Sri Adi Varaha. Sri Sveta Varaha Temple is a very important temple in Mathura and is home of the white (sveta) deity of Lord Varaha. It can be reached by taking the left-side lane beside the famous Dwarakadisa temple towards the Manik Chowk. Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.11.35 states, “The Sveta-varaha appearance of the Lord is the first birthday of Brahma. The birth date of Brahma is in the month of March, according to Hindu astronomical calculation. This statement is reproduced from the explanation of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. In the beginning of the first half of Brahma’s life, there was a millennium called Brahma-kalpa, wherein Lord Brahma appeared. The birth of the Vedas was simultaneous with Brahma’s birth.”
Sri Lal Varaha Temple is adjacent to Sveta Varaha, on top of the hill. This exquisitely beautiful Sri Lal Varaha is reddish in color. In Varaha Purana, chapter 163, verses 15-69, Lord Varaha personally narrates the appearance and history of the Sri Lal-Varaha murti. There was a great brahmana by name Kapila who was devoted to Lord Varaha. He made by his mind an image of Varaha and was worshiping it every day. Kapila was propitiated by Indra, and pleased at this, he gave him this deity. Indra worshiped this deity with devotion and delight. When the demon Ravana conquered Indra-loka, he saw this deity in the splendid palace of Indra. He prostrated before the Lord. Ravana then went near and attempted to raise the deity to put it in his Puspaka vimana, but he could not. Surprised at this, he profusely offered his prayers to the deity. The Lord then assumed a little form, and so he was able to lift him and place him in his Puspaka. Ravana installed this deity in Lanka. When Lord Ramacandra slayed Ravana in the battle, Vibhisana offered everything to Rama. Lord Rama said, "O Vibhisana, I shall not have anything to do with all this. You may give Me that deity of Varaha alone which was taken from the city of Indra. I shall take it to Ayodhya and worship it every day". Vibhisana then gave Rama the Lord Varaha deity and Sri Rama installed it at Ayodhya and worshipped it there for 110 years. Ramayana describes that when the demon Lavanasura was creating disturbances in Mathura, Lord Rama sent Satrughna to Madhuvana to kill him. Lord Rama gave Satrughna this deity of Lord Varaha for His protection. When Lavanasura was slayed, Satrughna installed the deity of Lord Varaha in this old temple. In the 1930s, when Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura took his parikrama party to this temple, he certified the history of this ancient Deity. The pujari here has the signature of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Being requested by Lord Rama, Satrughna ruled Mathura after slaying Lavanasura.
Adjacent to Sri Lal Varaha temple are the exquisitely beautiful and unique deities of Sri Kaliya Mardana, Sri Dauji Ki Haveli and Sri Laxmi Narayana. Sri Kapila Varaha Temple is on the banks of Ashkunda ghata near the famous Sri Dwarkadisa temple. Lord Varaha washed His hair here after slaying the demon Hiranyaksa. Sri Adi Varaha Temple is opposite Balabhadra Kunda near Sri Bhutesvara Mahadeva temple. Ancient Satrughna Temple is located on Papad Wali Gali near Gopal Mandir in downtown Mathura. Satrughna ruled Mathura after He slayed Lavanasura. This temple stands as a testimony of this pastime. Sri Padmanabha Ji Temple is the abode of the two magnificent deities of Lord Vishnu. It is located on the Inner Parikrama Marg of Mathura and was also visited by Lord Caitanya.
Kubja Bhavan is the house of Kubja, the hunchback maidservant of Kamsa. Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.42 describes that when Krishna and Balarama were walking on the streets of Mathura, Kubja gave Them the fine ointments that she was carrying for Kamsa. In return, Krishna stepped on her toes with His lotus feet, took hold of her chin and lifted it, thus straightening her spine, transforming her into a beautiful woman. Lord Krishna also reciprocated by visiting her house sometime after killing Kamsa as described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.48. Kubja’s house is a short walk by taking the backroad from Rangesvara Mahadeva temple and has beautiful Krishna-Kubja deities.
Dhruva Ghata is where Narada Muni told Dhruva to go to Madhuvana to worship the Supreme Lord. Situated to the south of the Bengali ghata on the banks of Yamuna River, there is an ancient temple here on a small hillock, where we can have the unique and rare darsana of Dhruva Maharaja. At Sapta Rsi Mandira, the sapta rsis, namely Kasyapa, Atri, Vasistha, Visvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni and Bharadvaja performed the yajnas. It is a 5 mins walk from Dhruva-ghata. Bali Tila is the sacrificial arena of Bali Maharaja and where the astonishing pastime of offering three steps of land to Lord Vamana took place. It is a 200-meter walk from Sapta Rsi Mandira.
At Ambarisa Tila, Maharaja Ambarisa observed the Ekadasi fast for an entire year, and the pastime with Durvasa Muni took place when he arrived as an unexpected guest at the time of breaking the fast, as described in Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 9 chapters 4-5. Nearby is Cakra-tirtha where Maharaja Ambarisa pacified the Sudarsana cakra by offering various prayers. Durvasa Muni Asrama is just across the Yamuna River from here. At Sri Kesava Ji Gaudiya Matha, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada accepted sannyasa in 1959 from Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja. Sri Sri Radha-Vinoda-bihari are the presiding deities. It is near Sri Rangesvara Mahadeva temple. Ancient Lord Nrsimhadeva Temple is directly across the main lane that goes to Bhutesvara Mahadeva Temple. The rare and unique Sri Uddhava Ji and Baldeo Ji Temples are located next to Balabhadra kunda near Bhutesvara Mahadeva temple. Sri Bhutesvara Mahadeva is a dik-pala, protector of Mathura. He is also one of the four kseta-palas, protectors, of Vrajabhumi.
Sri Dirgha Vishnu Temple is the oldest temple in Mathura, established by Vajranabha, the grandson of Lord Krishna. Exquisitely beautiful, Sri Dirgha Vishnu with Lakshmi Ji standing behind with folded hands grace the altar. Lord Caitanya visited this temple as mentioned in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 17.191. At Sri Dvarkadisa Temple one can have the blessed darshans of Lord Dvarakadisa. Sri Vijaya Govind Ji Temple, Sri Govardhana Nathji Maharaja Temple, Kamsa Qila - the residence of Kamsa is nearby. Under a tree near Sri Gaura Govinda Gaudiya Matha, Lord Caitanya chanted His japa, gazing at Sri Krishna Janmasthana which is nearby.
Lord Caitanya’s Visit to Mathura: Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila chapter 17 verses 154 to 191 describes Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes in Mathura. When He visited the birthplace of Krishna and saw Kesavaji, He chanted, danced and made loud vibrations. Everyone was astonished to see His ecstatic love. Simply by seeing Him, everyone was maddened with love for Krishna. Everyone began to chant, “Hari Hari” and there was a great uproar. He met a Sanodiya brahmana who was a disciple of Srila Madhavendra Puri. Although he belonged to a lower class, seeing his pure unalloyed devotion to Lord Krishna, Lord Caitanya bestowed His blessings upon him by accepting lunch at his place. The Lord visited all the places of pilgrimage in Mathura. Thereafter, He visited the twelve forests of Vrindavana and was filled with great ecstatic love. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila chapter 18 verses 35 to 48 describes that the famous Gopala Deity that was worshiped by Sri Madhavendra Puri at Govardhana came to Mathura for a month at the house of Viththalesvara to bestow His audience to Srila Rupa Gosvami when he became old.
Lord Krishna and Balarama in Mathura: Krishna has three-fold pastimes - the Vraja-lila, Mathura-lila and Dwarka-lila. Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 10 chapters 1 to 3 and 41 to 51 describe the pastimes of Lord Krishna in Mathura. Hearing about Krishna-lila is the boat by which to achieve the ultimate goal of life. Except for an animal killer or one who is following a policy of suicide, every intelligent person must strive to understand Krishna and His activities. Sankarsana appears in order to increase the love of Krishna. He is known as Baladeva. One may take auspicious strength from Him to become a devotee of the Lord. Therefore, He is also known as Balabhadra. (Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 10 chapter 1)
Reaching Mathura: Mathura is located between the golden triangle of Delhi,
Jaipur and Agra and can be reached from all three cities via roadways, railways
or by air. It is 10 km from Vrindavana, 145 km to the south of Delhi and 50 km
to the north of Agra. All the major express trains stop at Mathura.
3. Sri Sveta Varaha Temple