Mathura
Mathura | |
|---|---|
City | |
Prem Mandir Clockwise from top: Vishram Ghat on banks of river Yamuna, Keshavdeva Temple, Mathura Museum, Kans Quila and Holi celebrations in Mathura | |
| Nickname(s): Krishnanagri; The City of Lord Krishna | |
| Coordinates: 27°29′33″N 77°40′25″E / 27.49250°N 77.67361°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| District | Mathura |
| Division | Agra |
| Settled | 1100 BCE |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Corporation |
| • Body | Mathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation |
| • Mayor | Vinod Agarwal (BJP) |
| • Member of Legislative Assembly | Shrikant Sharma (BJP) |
| • Member of Parliament | Hema Malini (BJP) |
| Area | |
• Total | 39 km2 (15 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 441,894 |
| • Density | 11,000/km2 (29,000/sq mi) |
| Language | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| • Additional official | Urdu |
| • Regional | Braj Bhasha |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 281001 |
| Telephone code | 0565 |
| Vehicle registration | UP-85 |
| Website | mathura |
| Pilgrimage to |
| Buddha's Holy Sites |
|---|
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 162 kilometres (101 mi) south-east of Delhi; and about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the town of Vrindavan. In ancient times, Mathura 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 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 the heritage cities for the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.