Mathurā

Birthplace of Śrī Kṛṣṇa · Yamunā river, Uttar Pradesh

Mathurā is revered as the birthplace of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and with nearby Vṛndāvana, Gokula, Govardhana and Barsānā it forms Braja, the land of Kṛṣṇa’s childhood. The Kṛṣṇa Janmabhūmi complex marks the traditional site of his birth.

Pilgrims bathe at Viśrām Ghāṭ on the Yamunā and attend its evening āratī, then visit the many temples of Vṛndāvana. Janmāṣṭamī and the Holī celebrations of Braja, which run for many days, are unforgettable. October to March is the best season.

Tradition says Kṛṣṇa was born at midnight in King Kaṃsa’s prison, where his parents Devakī and Vasudeva were held. Vasudeva carried the newborn across the flooded Yamunā to Gokula, where he grew up with Nanda and Yaśodā. Later Kṛṣṇa returned to Mathurā and freed it from Kaṃsa; after killing him he rested at Viśrām Ghāṭ.

Uttar Pradesh · Braja · Janmāṣṭamī · Holī

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