Mathura

Mathura (Hindi: मथुरा, Mathura ) is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh with around 350,000 inhabitants ( 2011 census ). In connection with the worship of Krishna, it is an important pilgrimage of Hinduism. The city is located 140 km south of Delhi and 50 km north of Agra and east of the Yamuna, which flows into the Ganges.

Braj Bhoomi, the land of the eternal love only existed in the collective consciousness of the faithful Hindus, until it was rediscovered by scholars in the 16th century in the reality in and around Mathura. With the entries in the early Hindu texts Mathura and its surroundings including Vrindavan were identified as those places where being born Krishna and his youth to have spent. Today the city is an important center of Hinduism. The numerous temples are goals of many pilgrims who come here especially during the months of August and September for the birth of Krishna Janmashtami festival.

History

Around 500 BC Mathura became the capital of the kingdom of Shurasena compartment, then from 320 BC the Mauryan empire from 185 BC and the Shunga dynasty, which was followed by the so-called Datta and Mitra. End of the 1st century BC took over Kshatrapas from the Panjab under Rajuvula the rule, which in turn have been from about 70 AD by Vima Takto, alias Soter Megas, detached. This conquest by the second king of the Kushans ushered in the heyday of the city in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. During this period, Mathura was a Buddhist center with 20 monasteries and 3000 monks.

In the 8th century, Buddhism had to give way under the influence of Islamic conquerors. In 1017 most of the Buddhist temples and the shrines of Hindus were destroyed and plundered by the Afghan warlord Mahmud of Ghazni. Further destruction followed in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The Keshav Dev temple was partially destroyed and erected in its place, using the obtained Bauelememte, a large mosque.

The modern city

Mathura is located at a still very important road: The road crosses Delhi -Agra Mathura; from where a old way to Rajasthan, and the train service is an important element of the transport system. But the boat ride on the Yamuna has completely lost its importance.

Mathura has a technologically located on the state oil refinery, owned by the Indian Oil Corporation and one of the largest oil refineries in Asia at all. From an industrial point of view Mathura is in possession of a thriving silver and Sari- printing industry and has water tap factories.

Tourism in the city is located organizationally still in development stage.