Mathura

Travel to Mathura: History, Climate, Culture and Shopping

History of Mathura

The earliest references to Mathura date back around 2,500 years. According to tradition, Buddha visited the city and established monasteries in the region. Mathura later became an important principality under the Kushan Empire, particularly during the reign of Kanishka.

The Chinese traveller Fa Hien, who visited Mathura around 400 AD, described numerous flourishing Buddhist monasteries in the city. Its strategic location along important trade routes helped Mathura develop into a prosperous commercial and religious centre.

Over the centuries, Mathura faced attacks from several rulers. Mahmud of Ghazni raided the city in 1017, followed later by Sikandar Lodi and the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. During these conflicts, several Buddhist and Hindu places of worship were destroyed.

Mathura regained importance during the Bhakti revival movement. Hindu rulers, wealthy merchants and local patrons built temples, ghats and other structures to revive the traditions associated with Lord Krishna.

During British rule, Mathura also had a cantonment known as the Civil Lines. Today, the city is an important pilgrimage and tourism centre, supported by small industries. Its proximity to Agra and Vrindavan also makes it an important stop on the Uttar Pradesh tourism circuit.

Climate of Mathura

Mathura experiences a typical North Indian climate with significant temperature variations throughout the year.

• Summer: temperatures can rise above 44 °C and days are generally very hot.
• Monsoon: the city receives moderate rainfall, with annual precipitation of around 600 mm.
• Winter: temperatures can occasionally fall to 2-3 °C, although they generally remain between 7 and 8 °C.
• Best time to visit: winter months, when the weather is more comfortable for sightseeing.

How to Reach Mathura

By Air

The nearest airport to Mathura is Agra Airport, located at Kheria.

By Train

Mathura is situated on important railway routes and is well connected with cities such as Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Jaipur, Gwalior, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Lucknow.

By Road

Mathura is connected to major cities in the region through national highways. Regular bus services are also available from different cities in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Shopping in Mathura

As an important pilgrimage city, shopping in Mathura is mainly associated with religious items, traditional sweets and dairy products.

One of the city's most famous products is Peda, a traditional sweet made mainly from milk. Among its varieties, Kesharia Peda is particularly popular for its distinctive flavour and saffron.

You can also try Khurchan, another traditional milk-based sweet. Mathura is also known for its dairy products and traditional ghee.

Religious markets offer small Ashtadhatu idols of Hindu deities, prayer beads, bronze statues and items used for religious rituals. Popular shopping areas include Bengali Ghats, Chatta Bazar and Chowk.

Culture of Mathura

The culture of Mathura holds an important place in the religious and artistic history of India. For centuries, the city has been an important centre of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

One of its best-known cultural traditions is Sanjhee, a colourful form of artistic decoration made with flowers. Another important tradition is Raaslila, a dramatic dance performance based on the stories of Lord Krishna and the gopis associated with the Yamuna River and Vrindavan.

The traditional Braj dance is also an important part of local celebrations. During certain festivals, performers dance while balancing lit lamps on their heads.

Rasiya songs, celebrating the divine love of Radha and Krishna, are especially popular during Holi and other festivals across the Braj region.

Hotels in Mathura

• Hotel Gaurav, Mathura
• Hotel Madhuvan, Mathura
• Hotel Sheetal Regency, Mathura

Why Visit Mathura?

A trip to Mathura offers an opportunity to experience a city deeply connected with India's history, spirituality and cultural traditions. Its temples, Braj traditions, festivals, markets and proximity to Vrindavan make Mathura an essential destination for travellers interested in Indian culture.