Express Wanderlust: Here’s why March is a great time to visit Mathura

About the place: The land of colours, culture and religion, Mathura is on the must-visit list of almost every globetrotter. This city in Uttar Pradesh is celebrated, because it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Vishnu incarnate, Krishna. As such, you will find things of historical and mythological significance in every nook and corner of the city. This place particularly intrigues visitors because the prison/dungeon wherein Lord Krishna is believed to have taken birth at the stroke of midnight amid lashing rains and thunder, continues to exist and is open for tourists to come and visit. The city has many temples, big and small, and promises to satiate the soul of every religious and spiritual seeker. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

Also, Mathura is quite close to Vrindavan, so tourists mostly bunch the two places together and cover them on the same trip. Just like Mathura, Vrindavan is also celebrated for its association with the Blue God. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

How to reach: The nearest airport to Mathura is Agra, located some 50 km away. Trains run through the Mathura railway station, so railways is also an option. If you are travelling from Delhi, Mathura is a road trip away. Do not wait, pack your bags and plan an enriching trip this March. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

Best time to visit: March. The month of March holds great significance since it is in this month that the festival of Holi is celebrated with great joy and verve here. Although, the months between October and March enjoy a good tourist footfall, owing to the pleasant weather conditions. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

Things to see: You must have seen it in films: an elaborate Holi celebration, with songs and dances. The Lathmar Holi is celebrated with great pomp and show some four to five days prior to the actual celebration. If you are visiting Mathura in March, head over to Nandgaon and Barsana towns for the rather peculiar Holi tradition. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

Next, you must head over to the sacred Govardhan hill which, as per legends, was the very same hill that Lord Krishna had lifted on his little finger, so as to give refuge to villagers seeking respite from the deluge. This hill is located between Mathura and Vrindavan, and must feature on your itinerary. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

After this, you can check out the Dwarkadhish Temple, which is one of the holiest in the city. Built in the year 1814, the temple is highly revered, and is situated near the ghats of Yamuna. Devotees come here every day to worship. You must have seen it in some recent Bollywood releases. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

You must also include Vishram Ghat in your itinerary, even if it's a tight one. Pilgrims come here to enjoy boat rides and to take a dip in the holy water. In fact, your trip to Mathura is incomplete without visiting this ghat. Legends say that the places derives its name from when Lord Krishna had taken 'vishram' or 'rest', after slaying his evil uncle Kansa. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

The Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex is where you should head next, if you want to find out where the God was born. These temples are built around the prison cell which had held captive Lord Krishna's parents, Vasudev and Devaki. As mentioned earlier, you can visit the prison cell, and enjoy the peace and serenity of the place. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

Food: If all the walking and exploring make you feel famished, you can ask locals and head over to some food joints. Mathura is famous for its delectable delicacies, but you must definitely try some pede, a sweet dish, along with north Indian street foods of jalebi, chaat, panipuri, samosa, and kachori. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)