Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, Mathura

Located in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, Shri Krishna Janmabhumi temple or Krishna Janmasthan is regarded as one of the holiest pilgrimage destinations in India. Believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, this temple is of great significance for the Hindus and visited by lakhs of tourists across the world throughout the year.

Traveler tips:

• Summers are extremely hot in Mathura, try to avoid visiting this place between April and September.

• Leather items like wallets, belts and electronic gadgets including mobile phones are not allowed inside the complex. Before entering the temple, you have to deposit them in the locker.

• Visitors are not allowed to take food items inside the temple premises.

• Photography is restricted inside the complex

• Popular for: Mythology, religious tour, spirituality

Timings-

Summer (April to November)

5:00 AM to 12:00 PM

4:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Garbha Griha Darshan: 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM

Winter (November to April)

5:30 AM to 12:00 PM

3:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Garbha Griha Darshan: 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM

Entry fee: Free

Visit duration: 1 hour

History:

Built around the prison cell where Lord Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva, Shri Krishna Janmabhumi temple is thronged by devotees around the globe to seek blessings. Considered as the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, Krishna was born to destroy his evil maternal uncle Kansa who was also the king of Mathura. As per legends, the temple was first constructed by Vajranabha, the great-grandson of Krishna approximately 5000 years ago. This famous temple has been rebuilt and underwent modifications several times over the centuries. It was also destroyed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1669 AD who erected a masjid there. When Mathura came under British reign, the temple area was auctioned by the British East India Company in 1815. Finally, in the 20th century, Late Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya took the initiative to build the temple complex with the financial help from industrialist Jugal Kishore ji Birla. With combined and rigorous efforts of many people, the construction of the Shri Krishna Janmabhumi temple was finally completed in February 1982.

Archeology:

The Shri Krishna Janmasthan temple complex houses a series of Hindu temples namely Keshavdeva temple, Garbha Griha shrine, Bhagavata Bhavan, and Potra Kund.

The porch covering the main entrance of the temple is surrounded by carved pillars. The walls, pillars, and ceiling of this beautiful temple are decorated with stunning frescoes and colorful depicting life of Lord Krishna. The walls of the temple also feature the significant text of Bhagavad Gita inscribed on copper plates. Featuring many statues of deities and sculptures of the bygone era, this auspicious place is a must-visit place in Mathura.

Sri Krishna Janmasthan temples complex includes a series of shrines namely Keshavdeva temple, Garbha Griha shrine, Bhagavata Bhavan and Potra Kund.

• Keshavdeva Temple: Located south of the Shahi Eidgah, this temple built by Ramkrishna Dalmia in memory of his mother Jadiadevi Dalmia.

• Garbha griha: Believed to be the very spot of the prison cell where Lord Krishan was born, it consists of a marble pavilion and underground prison cell with spacious veranda.

• Bhagavata Bhavan: Dedicated to Shrimad Bhagavata, this popular structure of this temple includes five temples. The main shrine houses a magnificent statue of Radha and Krishna measuring 6 feet. Other deities that have their dedicated shrines inside the complex are Balarama, Subhadra and Jagannath, Rama, Lakshman and Sita, Garuda Stambha, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Hanuman, and Goddess Durga. It also has a Shiva temple where Keshveshwar (Lord Shiva) resides in the form of a mercury Linga.

• Potra Kund: Located close to this temple, there is a deep and large water tank is said to be the first bath place of Bhagwan Krishna.

Things to do

• Take a tour of the temple complex and the other shrines nearby to know about their mythological significance.

• Enjoy the sandhya aarti and soak in the spirituality of the ambiance.

• Taste local street foods from the stalls nearby the temple complex

How to reach

• By air: Located at a distance of 49 km, Kheria airport, Agra is the nearest airport to Mathura. Taxis are easily available for a day trip to the city from the airport.

• By rail: Mathura Junction railway station is well connected with major cities in India.

• By road: A good Network of Private and government buses connect Mathura with major cities like Delhi, Agra, Chandigarh, and Jaipur, etc. Located in the heart of the city, this temple complex can be easily reached by rickshaw.

Best time to visit

With a pleasant climate and beautiful scenic view, the best time to visit Mathura is September-December. With the temperature reaching over 40 degrees Celsius, summer is extremely hot in this region and not a good time to plan a visit to Mathura. To witness the spiritual and colorful vibes of this city full grandeur, plan a visit during festivals like Krishna Janmashtami, Holi, Govardhan Puja.

Nearby attraction

Apart from Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, the holy city Mathura has many other famous places and shrines to visit. Some of these are mentioned below.

• Mathura Museum

• Kans Kila

• Dwarkadheesh Temple

• Gita Mandir

• Prem Mandir

• Rangji temple

• Jama Masjid

• Nidhi van

Holding great religious and mythological significance, Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, Mathura is indeed one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations in the country. Plan a visit to this holy place and soak yourself in its divine spirituality.