I am very sure that everyone has heard of Mathura at least once. I vividly remember the tales that my grandmother used to concoct around Mathura, which also is the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The stories used to fascinate me, and I always used to say how she and I will end up visiting Mathura someday. I never thought that this childhood fervor would still find a place in my adult self. It’s been years since my grandmother departed for her heavenly abode, but her stories still linger in my mind. That’s how I carry a part of her essence, alive and breathing in my memories. So, I decided to honor Grandma and her memories by visiting Mathura.
Why Choose Mathura?
The decision wasn’t in haste but rather a culmination of the severe introspection that I had put myself through. I finally could settle on the fact Mathura should be the place I need to visit because I wanted to revisit myself and my inner child once again. The job in Noida has been thorough, and it has left a daunting impact of existential dread in me. Mathura was my only chance to reclaim myself and relive the fascination of being a child. I miss my grandmother.
Finding myself at Mathura
The trip was decided, and so was my mode of transport. I had booked a comfortable tempo traveler in Noida that would drive me around the place. I wanted to make this trip comfortable, too, which is why I chose the tempo traveler service. Plus, I thought it’d be practical to make stops if I needed to while driving around Mathura.
Mathura is one of the seven holy cities, according to the Hindus. My grandmother used to narrate the incident of how Krishna was brought into this world. It’s almost as if I had listened to her yesterday. But Mathura has progressed further than mythology and my nostalgia. Small trivia about Mathura: It has been elected as one of the heritage cities for Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of India.
Reaching Mathura from Noida
Given the religious importance Mathura holds, it’s a place that can be accessed easily. I could’ve booked with a reliable taxi service in Noida, which would’ve worked as an alternative. You can choose either if you ever concur upon coming here.
I decided to leave early so that I can have more time in the hands. It roughly took me two and a half hours to reach Mathura from Noida via the Taj Express Highway. I could’ve gone for the NH19/NH 44, too, but my driver suggested that the former takes up less time.
What did I do during my visit to Mathura?
I am sure you have heard of the story associated with Govardhan Hill, where Krishna had lifted the entire mountain on one finger to save his village from Indra’s wrath. The Hill is considered holy, which is why Govardhan puja is a ritual that takes place after Diwali. The next place that I visited was the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple that is known to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. But the next place that I am about to mention holds a special place in my heart. Vrindavan and the stories of naughty Krishna still feel like a freshly woven memory in mind. While I stepped into Vrindavan, I thought of my grandmother and how she would’ve reacted if she were alive and with me. I could have visited Vrindavan in the beginning since it comes 15 km before the city. But you ought to keep the best things for the last. With that, I bid adieu to Mathura and hopefully find some closure.
Mathura helped me find the closure that I had looked for after Grandma passed away. This trip wasn’t just deeply personal, but it was to resolve the labyrinth of hurt that had engulfed me. So, if you ever feel that you have a connection like I did with Mathura, then do the honors and visit the magical lands of it. You will surely not be disappointed. I was despondent as I wasn’t a huge fan of returning. But I had to; all good things must come to an end after all.