Mathura
| Mathura मथुरा |
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| State : |
 India
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| State : | Uttar Pradesh | ||
| District : | Mathura | ||
| Location : | 27 ° 30 ′ N , 77 ° 41 ′ E | ||
| Height : | 175 m | ||
| Residents : | 349,909 (2011) | ||
| Website : | Mathura | ||
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Mathura ( Hindi : मथुरा , Mathurā ) is a large city ( Nagar Palika Parishad ) in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh with around 360,000 inhabitants. In connection with the worship of Krishna , it is an important place of pilgrimage for Hinduism .
location
Mathura is located on the west bank of the Yamuna River at an altitude of about 180 m above sea level. d. M. The Indian capital New Delhi is about 160 km (driving distance) north; the city of Agra is about 60 km to the south-west. The historically significant city of Vrindavan is only about 12 km north. The border with the state of Rajasthan is about 25 km to the west. Mathura has a train station on the Delhi - Agra route. The climate is warm to hot; Rain falls almost exclusively in the summer monsoon months .
population
Official population statistics have only been kept and published since 1991.
| year | 1991 | 2001 | 2011 |
| Residents | 226,691 | 302.770 | 349.909 |
The majority of the mostly immigrant urban population are Hindus (approx. 81.5%) and Muslims (approx. 17%); the rest is attributable to other religions ( Jains , Sikhs , Buddhists and Christians ). As is common in censuses in northern India, the male population is around 15% higher than the female population, mainly due to the widespread practice of female fetal abortion .
economy
All major road connections from Delhi to Agra lead via Mathura and train traffic is an important element of the infrastructure. From here an old trade route leads to Rajasthan; on the other hand, shipping on the Yamuna, which was so important in earlier times, has completely lost its importance. The textile industry traditionally plays a major role in the city's economic life. The Mathura Refinery of the Indian Oil Corporation opened in 1982 and was one of the largest in Asia at the time. In addition, other chemical and metalworking industrial companies have settled here.
myth
The Braj Bhoomi (German: "Land of Shepherds") mentioned in the Bhagavatapurana by Krishna to his stepfather only existed in the collective consciousness of the devout Hindus until it was rediscovered by scholars in and around Mathura in the 16th century; for many it is synonymous with earthly paradise. Through the information in the early Hindu texts, Mathura and his surroundings (including Vrindavan ) were identified as the places where Krishna was born and said to have spent his youth. Today the city is one of the most important centers of Hinduism. The numerous temples are the destinations of many pilgrims who come here, especially in August and September, for Krishna's Janmashtami birth festival .
history
Around 500 BC Mathura became the capital of the Shurasena empire , followed by around 320 BC. The Maurya empire and from 185 BC. The Shunga dynasty , which was followed by the so-called Dattas and Mitras. End of the 1st century BC Chr. Took Kshatrapas from the Punjab under Rajuvula the rule, which in turn from about 70 n. Chr. Of Vima Takto , also known as Soter Megas were detached. This conquest by the 2nd king of the Kushanas ushered in the heyday of the city in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. During this time Mathura was a Buddhist center with 20 monasteries and 3000 monks.
In the 8th century, Buddhism had to give way under increasing pressure from Islamic conquerors. In 1017, most of the Buddhist temples and shrines of the Hindus were looted and destroyed by the Afghan warlord Mahmud of Ghazni . Further destruction followed in the 17th century by the governor of the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, who was rather intolerant in religious matters . The Keshava Deo temple was only partially destroyed and a large Friday mosque ( Jama Masjid ) was built in its place, using the remaining structural elements , which is now beset by the surrounding new temples of the 1950s and 1960s.
Attractions
Despite its long history, Mathura has few historical sights; therefore international tourism is still in the organizational development stage. However, the city is of enormous importance for Hindu pilgrims.
- The Keshava Deo temple is in Vrindavan and not in Mathura! Although it has a long history, it also includes its complete destruction during the time of the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb - the current building dates from the 1950s and 1960s.
- The Shri Krishna Janambhoomi temple rises in the immediate vicinity above the (alleged) place of birth of the Hindu god Krishna and is one of the most important shrines of Hinduism.
- The step-well-like Potra Kund located in the immediate vicinity is a Hindu temple pond as it occurs elsewhere (e.g. in Khajuraho , Modhera or Sravanabelgola ).
- The Friday Mosque ( Jama Masjid or Shahi-Eidgah-Mosque ), built between 1661–1669 under the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, is very close to the two Hindu temples.
- The Government Museum in Dampier Park with its extensive collection of works from the Kuschana period (2nd / 3rd century) is of interest to Europeans . In addition, prehistoric small figures made of copper or clay as well as medieval stone sculptures are shown.
- The Birla family of industrialists also donated a Hindu temple ( Gita Mandir ) in Mathura .
- The Chaurasi-Jain Mandir is the most important shrine of the Jains in Mathura.
- The religiously and politically controversial but architecturally imposing new building of the Jai Gurudev Ashram is located on the outskirts.
- The Vishram Ghat on the Yamuna bank is both a sacred and popular place for Hindus; every evening small oil lights are handed over to the river here. In total there are more than 20 ghats on the riverside.
Web links
- Krishna Janambhoomi Temple etc. - Photos + information (English)
- Potra Kund temple pond - Photos and information (English)
- Friday Mosque (Jamaa Masjid) - Photo + Info (English)
- Government Museum - Photos and information (English)
- Birla Temple (Gita Mandir) - Photos + Information (English)
- Chaurasi-Jain Temple - Photos and information (English)
- Vishram Ghat - Photos + Info (English)