Mathura, India: travel guide
Birthplace of Krishna, with temples, ghats and a Braj countryside of its own
Birthplace of Lord Krishna and one of India's seven sacred cities, filled with over 1,000 temples and alive with Holi and Janmashtami celebrations.
About Mathura
Mathura is the traditional birthplace of Krishna, and the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple complex stands at the centre of that tradition. The Yamuna runs along the town, and its ghats fill with pilgrims each day.
The wider Braj region, which includes Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon and Radha Kund, is dotted with temples and sacred pools linked to Krishna's stories. Holi in Braj is known across India, and Janmashtami is another large celebration, so the town is busy at those times.
Mathura suits pilgrims and travellers curious about Hindu devotion, and it is an easy stop between Delhi and Agra. October to March is the most comfortable time for a visit.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Last updated
Top places to visit in Mathura
Krishna Janmabhoomi
temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The sacred birthplace of Lord Krishna, a major temple complex built around the prison cell where he is believed to have been born, drawing pilgrims year-round.
Dwarkadhish Temple
temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Mathura's principal and most visited temple (1814), dedicated to Krishna as Dwarkadhish, famed for its ornate carving, swings festival and lively Holi celebrations.
Govardhan Hill
sacred-hill · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The sacred hill Krishna is said to have lifted on his finger to shelter villagers; pilgrims perform the 21 km parikrama around it, often barefoot.
Vishram Ghat
ghat · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The principal and holiest of Mathura's Yamuna ghats, where Krishna is said to have rested after slaying Kansa; the focus of the evening Yamuna aarti and boat rides.
Barsana (Radha Rani Temple)
temple · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The hilltop birthplace of Radha, crowned by the Radha Rani temple, world-famous for its riotous Lathmar Holi when women playfully beat men with sticks.
Kusum Sarovar
sacred-tank · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A serene sandstone bathing tank with elegant ghats and chhatris near Govardhan, associated with Radha and beautiful at sunset.
Government Museum Mathura
archaeology · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A renowned archaeological museum housing the celebrated red-sandstone Mathura School of art — Kushan and Gupta-era Buddhist, Jain and Hindu sculptures.
Radha Kund
sacred-tank · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A pair of sacred ponds near Govardhan, among the holiest sites for Radha-Krishna devotees, believed to bestow great spiritual merit on bathers.
Gita Mandir (Birla Mandir)
temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
A serene marble temple on the Mathura-Vrindavan road built by the Birlas, with the entire Bhagavad Gita inscribed on a red-sandstone pillar (Gita Stambh).
Nandgaon
temple-village · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The village where Krishna spent his childhood with foster-father Nanda, centred on the hilltop Nand Bhavan temple and linked to Barsana's Holi festivities.
Kans Qila
ruins · 4.0 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The ruined riverside fort of the tyrant king Kansa, Krishna's uncle, offering atmospheric crumbling ramparts and Yamuna views in the old city.
Potara Kund
sacred-tank · 4.2 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A restored ancient stepped sacred tank near Janmabhoomi, traditionally where the infant Krishna's clothes were washed, lined with sandstone steps.
Things to do
- Vrindavan Temples Day Trip Day Trip · 5 h · from INR 1,500 per person
- Krishna Temples Darshan Tour Sightseeing Tour · 3 h · from INR 1,000 per person
- Yamuna Aarti Boat at Vishram Ghat Cultural · 1 h · from INR 500 per person
- Govardhan Parikrama Tour Cultural · 5 h · from INR 1,200 per person
- Barsana & Nandgaon Tour Cultural · 6 h · from INR 1,800 per person
- Braj Food & Pedha Walk Food Tour · 2.5 h · from INR 800 per person
- Braj Holi Experience Cultural · 4 h · from INR 2,000 per person
- Mathura Heritage & Museum Tour Sightseeing Tour · 3 h · from INR 800 per person
Day trips and tours
- Mathura-Vrindavan Krishna Pilgrimage Day 9 h · from INR 2,200
- Govardhan & Barsana Braj Day 9 h · from INR 2,400
- Mathura City Temples & Ghats Half-Day 5 h · from INR 1,500
Where to stay in Mathura
- Temple Area about INR 1,500 per night
Sacred town near Krishna temples with pilgrimage accommodation
Hotels
- Radha Madhavam Luxurious Boutique Hotel 3-star · INR 1,039 to INR 1,500 per night
- RADHA Homestay 2-star · INR 1,044 to INR 1,500 per night
- Dwarkapuri Paras guest house 2-star · INR 810 to INR 1,200 per night
- Goverdhan Sarovar Portico 4-star · INR 4,500 to INR 8,000 per night
- Radha Ashok Hotel 4-star · INR 4,000 to INR 7,000 per night
- The Grand Mandir Brijwasi 4-star · INR 4,000 to INR 7,000 per night
Where to eat
- Brijwasi Mithaiwala North Indian, Desserts, Street Food · about INR 200 per person
- Govardhan Misthan Bhandar (GMB) North Indian, Desserts, Vegetarian · about INR 350 per person
- Shankar Mishthan Bhandar North Indian, Street Food, Desserts · about INR 150 per person
- Kwality Restaurant North Indian, Chinese, South Indian · about INR 400 per person
- Holi Gate Chaat Stalls Street Food, Chaat · about INR 120 per person
- Brijwasi Royal North Indian, Desserts, Vegetarian · about INR 450 per person
- Om Restaurant North Indian, South Indian, Vegetarian · about INR 250 per person
- Radhika Restaurant North Indian, Continental, Vegetarian · about INR 400 per person
Getting to Mathura
Nearest airport: Delhi (DEL), about 131 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Mathura
- Train to Mathura Junction By train from Delhi · common
Mathura is a major junction with many trains from Delhi, Agra and beyond. Source: mathura.nic.in
- Bus or road via Noida-Agra Expressway By road from Delhi · common
Regular buses link Mathura with major cities; the expressway connects it with Delhi. Source: mathura.nic.in
- Fly to Delhi or Agra Kheria, then road By air from Agra · possible
Kheria and Delhi airports are the nearest; arrive overland. Source: mathura.nic.in
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Cycle Rickshaw
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"
Airports, train stations, popular squares
Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.
How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.
Best time to visit Mathura
- Jan 21°C
- Feb 24°C
- Mar 30°C
- Apr 37°C
- May 41°C
- Jun 41°C
- Jul 36°C
- Aug 35°C
- Sep 34°C
- Oct 33°C
- Nov 29°C
- Dec 23°C
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Frequently asked questions about Mathura
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Mathura?
- The highest-rated places in our Mathura guide are Krishna Janmabhoomi, Govardhan Hill, Dwarkadhish Temple, Vishram Ghat, Barsana (Radha Rani Temple).
- Where should I stay in Mathura?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Mathura: Temple Area.
- How do I get around Mathura?
- Ways to get around Mathura covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Mathura?
- Scams reported to us for Mathura include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Mathura?
- Average daytime highs in Mathura run from 21°C in Jan to 41°C in May.