A Quick Solo Trip to Mathura

Tripoto
13th Mar 2016
Photo of A Quick Solo Trip to Mathura 1/8 by pragyac90
The quintessential breakfast ite of mathura, Bedai and kachauri with aloo ka jho
Photo of A Quick Solo Trip to Mathura 2/8 by pragyac90
There is a whole array of shops all over Mathura, selling idols of Bal Gopal and
Photo of A Quick Solo Trip to Mathura 3/8 by pragyac90
Colours everywhere :)
Photo of A Quick Solo Trip to Mathura 4/8 by pragyac90
As so many devotees of Bhagwan Krishna hail from Gujrat, the Gujrati influence c
Photo of A Quick Solo Trip to Mathura 5/8 by pragyac90
This Yummy Khurchan was unlike any other I have eaten in Delhi
Photo of A Quick Solo Trip to Mathura 6/8 by pragyac90
Boating in River Yamuna, the boatman Hari Om Kevat was really polite and helpful
Photo of A Quick Solo Trip to Mathura 7/8 by pragyac90
Fried Bati and Stuffed Bati on display
Photo of A Quick Solo Trip to Mathura 8/8 by pragyac90
Dhokla Stall near Janmabhoomi temple

After passing by Mathura so many times on my way to my hometown in Rajasthan and fighting the impulse to jump out and explore this historic town whenever the train halted at Mathura, last weekend I just decided to go on a one day trip to Mathura.

I booked my ticket to Mathura as well as my return ticket to Delhi in Taj Express. I love travelling in trains and this train is really good. It started from Hazrat Nizamuddin  at 07:05 and at 08:50 I was at Mathura Junction.

As soon as you step out of the station, rickshaw wallahs and auto drivers will flock you, asking where you want to go. Bargaining is a must; otherwise they will charge an unsuspecting person 4 times the usual fare!!

I took a rickshaw to Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, which is around 4 km from the station. I explored the rest of the city on foot. In my opinion the best way to explore the soul of the city and also a great way to burn all the delicious food this city has to offer.

A list of foods that I tried during the day:

  • Bedai and Kachori: The quintessential breakfast of Mathura; at Hari Mohan Mishthan Bhandar, Chowk Bazaar. They serve piping hot Bedai Puri and Kachori with aloo ka jhol and kaddu ki sabji. Absolutely scrumptious! I had 2 servings and still wanted more. What is better, they make all their stuff with desi ghee and not those harmful refined oils.
  • Dhokla: At any roadside stall. The city streets are replete with them. It was just ordinary. Can be skipped.
  • Khurchan: At Brijwasi Sweets, Holi Gate. Just the right amount of sweet and deliciously fragrant. Divine J
  • Fried Baati and Tikona Parantha: Again at Hari Mohan Mishthan Bhandar, Chowk Bazaar. The Baati is quite different than the one we make at our home in Rajasthan. The Baati and the Parantha are made with mixed grain flour and deep fried in ghee. Baati is served with daal mixed with lemon juice and green chutney and paranthas with a dry sabji and a gravy based one. Both Baati and Parantha are crispy and taste more like Kachori, but without the filling. Must try for the unique flavour and texture.
  • Golgappas: You cannot go to a place in the land of chaats, Uttar Pradesh and not eat golgappas. Shops selling golgappas, tikkis and puri-kachori are literally in every nook and corner of the city. I had spinach golgappas and they were yum!

After thoroughly enjoying my day visiting temples, shopping colorful costumes for Bal Gopal (there is a whole array of shops selling costumes in every size, colour and fabric possible),  boating in the Yamuna and quietly sitting at the Vishram Ghat for a few hours, I started my walk back to the station. Missed the evening aarti as my return train was at 7:30 and the aarti is held at 7:00. All in all, a day well spent!

Everyone close to me was really concerned about my safety as I was going alone and UP is notorious for its crime rate. However, I did not encounter anything unpleasant on this trip. I had to ask so many people for directions, for the best shops to eat and everyone was extremely helpful and courteous, although a little curious as to why I was travelling alone.

As for safety, I have found that a pepper spray and a Swiss knife go a long way in ensuring that you are able to defend yourself if the need arises :)

They make absolutely scrumptious stuff, I had two servings of their bedai puri and kachori and would have had more if I wasn't so full. Especially loved the kaddu ki sabji they serve with the puri and kachori

Fried Bati and Stuffed Bati on display

Photo of Hari Mohan Mishthan Bhandar, Chowk Bazaar, Mathura by pragyac90

The quintessential breakfast ite of mathura, Bedai and kachauri with aloo ka jho

Photo of Hari Mohan Misthan Bhandar, Chowk Bazaar, Mathura by pragyac90
If you want to try out the famed Khurchan of Mathura, this is the place to do so. It was just slightly sweet and fragrant with rose water and kewra essence. Heavenly.

This Yummy Khurchan was unlike any other I have eaten in Delhi

Photo of Brijwasi Mishthan Bhandhar, Holi Gate, Mathura by pragyac90
Situated around 4 kms from Mathura Junction, this temple is said to be built on the same spot Bhagwan Krishna was born. The paintings on the ceiling depicting different scenes of his life are magnificent.

Because of the Gujrati influence, dhokla stalls like this one can be seen all ov

Photo of Near Krishna Janm Bhumi, Agrasen Nagar Rd, Azad Nagar, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh 281001, India by pragyac90

There is a whole array of shops all over Mathura, selling idols of Bal Gopal and

Photo of Mathura, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh 281001, India by pragyac90

As so many devotees of Bhagwan Krishna hail from Gujrat, the Gujrati influence c

Photo of Near Dwarakadheesh Temple, Mathura by pragyac90
I just sat here for a coupe of hours and felt strangely calm even amidst the crowd and the chaos

Colours everywhere :)

Photo of Vishram Ghat, Gol Pada, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh 281001, India by pragyac90

Boating in River Yamuna, the boatman Hari Om Kevat was really polite and helpful

Photo of Yamuna River, Mathura by pragyac90