My photo from Mathura

Durvasa Muni ashrama  I  Keshavaji Gaudiya Math

The two main places to visit here are Krishna Janmasthan (the appearance place of Krishna) and Vishram Ghata. Many pastimes from the Srimad Bhagavatam and other Puranas took place in Mathura.

Ambarish Maharaja waited at Ambarish-tila for Durvasa Muni to return, from being chased across the universe by Lord Vishnu’s disc (cakra).

At Bali-tila, Bali Maharaja performed his great sacrifice to take over the universe. Lord Vamanadeva begged three steps of land from Bali Maharaja at this place. Narada Muni instructed Dhruva Maharaja in Mathura. Ravana performed austerities to acquire his mystic powers here.

About 350m north of Visrama Ghata, on the bank of the Yamuna, is the old Kamsa Tila Fort.

The Dwarkadish Temple, built in 1814, is a popular temple in the center of town. This is the most visited temple in Mathura.

This temple is managed by followers of Vallabhacarya, by the Pusti-marg Gosvamis. In this temple there is a Deity of a four-armed form of Krishna known as Dwarkadhish or Dwarikanathaji (Lord of Dwarka), with a Deity of Rukmini by his side. Dwarka is located at the westernmost end of Gujarat and is where Krishna ruled as the king. It is fairly interesting architecturally and there is a lot of activity inside. The walls and ceiling are beautifully painted with pastimes of Krishna.

The most important ghata is Visrama Ghat, which is where Krishna rested after killing King Kamsa and his eight brothers. Visrama means, “to rest.” Before pilgrims begin Braja Mandala parikrama they take bath in Visrama Ghata. Lord Caitanya bathed here when he came to Mathura.

Vallabha also first visited this place when he first visited Mathura. It is said that Lord Varaha, Vishnu in His boar incarnation, also rested here after killing Hiranyaksa. While resting here, Lord Varaha spoke the Adi Varaha Purana to Mother Earth and Vyasadeva recorded it. Every evening there is a sunset arati offered to the Yamuna River. Many people come for this arati. You can get a good view of this arati on a sunset boat ride. This ghata was reconstructed in 1814.

Sweta Varaha Temple In this temple is a beautiful white Deity of Varahadeva (Vishnu in His boar incarnation). Varaha is the second incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Varaha appeared as a giant boar to save the earth planet and to kill the demon Hiranyaksa, who was terrifying the universe.

Varaha is often seen as a half-man, with the face of a boar engaged in picking up the earth (Bhu). After lifting the earth, Lord Varaha rested at Visrama Ghata. The Deity of Sweta Varaha is in a house, which the owner does not normally allow “non-Hindus” to enter. I was invited into this temple. Down the same street that this temple is located on, there is the Adi Varaha temple, a Balarama Temple and a few other temples.