Aligarh Situated at a distance of 91 km from Agra, Aligarh is
famous for being the home to the Aligarh Muslim University.
The university was founded by Sir Syad Ahmad Khan in the 19th
century. The city is also known for its locks.
Bhandirvan Thirty-one kilometres from Mathura lies Bhandirvan where,
it is believed, Radha and Krishna were married under a banyan
tree (Bhandirvat) while Brahma presided as an officiating
priest. The ceremony was supposed to have been attended by
other gods also.
Fatehpur Sikri Thirty-nine kilometres from
Agra stands Fatehpur Sikri, the red sandstone city of
yesteryears. The city was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in
AD 1564 in honour of the Muslim saint Sheikh Salim Chisthi.
Fatehpur Sikri was intended to be the capital city but the
shortage of water and unrest in the north-west made Akbar
abandon it. One of the major attractions of this city is the
marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisthi. Other places of interest
include Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Buland Darwaza, Panch
Mahal, Jodha Bai’s Palace and Birbal Bhavan.
Ferozabad For those interested in glass products, a visit to
Ferozabad becomes necessary. Situated about 44 km away from
Agra, this industrial city is famous for its glassware. You
can buy products such as glass bangles and chandeliers in
abundance here. Gokul It is in Gokul that Lord Krishna was supposed to be
secretly raised. The town is about 16 km south of Mathura. One
of the most notable structures here is the Chaurasi Khamba (84
pillars), also known as Nand Maharaja’s house. Most of the the
temples and structures here are built around the legends. The
mud temples on the side of the hill mark the places where
Krishna is supposed to have killed the demons Putana,
Trinavarta, and Shakatasura. A little distance away is Utkhal
where Yashoda is believed to have tied Krishna to a grinding
mortar as a punishment for breaking her pitcher and stealing
butter. At Brahmand Ghat, she is supposed to have witnessed
the entire universe in Krishna’s mouth while chastising him
for having eaten mud.
Govardhan Hill Legend has it that Krishna lifted this hill in order to
protect the villagers from the torrential downpour caused by
the wrath of God Indra. It is believed that for seven days, he
held the hill on his little finger while his disc generated
enough heat to evaporate the excess rainwater. Govardhan is
situated 25 km west of Mathura on the road to
Deeg.
Keetham Lake Also known as Sur Sarovar, the Keetham Lake is situated at
about 23 kilometres from Agra within the Surdas Reserved
Forest. One can witness a wide variety of fish and water birds
in the lake. The tranquil surroundings present an ideal
relaxing place.
Mathura Located about 47 km from Agra,
Mathura is famous as the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Besides
being an important pilgrim place of the Hindus, it is one of
the seven most sacred cities in India. Mathura is also an
important crafts centre.
Visiting Mathura gives one a
chance to trace the early years of the life of Lord Krishna.
Among the foundations of the Kesava Deo Temple, one comes
across a small room designed as a prison cell. In the cell is
a stone slab on which, it is believed, Lord Krishna was born
some 3,500 years ago. Adjacent to the temple stands the mosque
built by Aurangzeb. The place, referred to as Sri Krishna
Janambhoomi, has been a subject of dispute between the Hindus
and Muslims.
Vrindavan Ten kilometres from Mathura
lies the town of Vrindavan. The place is associated with the
childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. Vrindavan has scores of
temples, shrines, and memorial stones and hermitages of the
saints and Krishna’s followers. One of the most impressive
buildings that greets the visitor in Vrindavan is the Govind
Dev Temple. This red sandstone structure is supposed to be
architecturally one of the most advanced Hindu temples in
northern India.
One can also have a look at the
150-year-old Ranganathan Temple, popularly known as the
Rangaji Temple, which is located in a beautiful complex.
Around 4000 other temples are said to exist in Virndavan. The
town is also the seat of ISKCON (International Society for
Krishna Consciousness) which has built a magnificent temple
here.
Thirty-nine kilometres from
Agra stands Fatehpur Sikri, the red sandstone city of
yesteryears. The city was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in
AD 1564 in honour of the Muslim saint Sheikh Salim Chisthi.
Fatehpur Sikri was intended to be the capital city but the
shortage of water and unrest in the north-west made Akbar
abandon it. One of the major attractions of this city is the
marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisthi. Other places of interest
include Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Buland Darwaza, Panch
Mahal, Jodha Bai’s Palace and Birbal Bhavan. 
Located about 47 km from Agra,
Mathura is famous as the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Besides
being an important pilgrim place of the Hindus, it is one of
the seven most sacred cities in India. Mathura is also an
important crafts centre. 
Ten kilometres from Mathura
lies the town of Vrindavan. The place is associated with the
childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. Vrindavan has scores of
temples, shrines, and memorial stones and hermitages of the
saints and Krishna’s followers. One of the most impressive
buildings that greets the visitor in Vrindavan is the Govind
Dev Temple. This red sandstone structure is supposed to be
architecturally one of the most advanced Hindu temples in
northern India.
