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Mathura Museum
Mathura museum is one of the leading museums in Uttar Pradesh, which is an archaeological museum established at Mathura City by the then District collector of Sir F.S Growse in the year 1874. The museum has in its collections wonderful and ancient sculptures belonging to the Mathura school which dates back in 3rd century B.C. through 12th century A.D.
Mathura Museum is situated in Dampier Park and it is today one of the well spoken place exhibiting archaeological items of this region.
Mathura City, which is famous and respected as the birth place of Lord Krishna, a Deity of Hindu religion, is much sought after pilgrimage centre of this part of India. Likewise, it is also a place where Buddhists make pilgrimage tours, thus the exhibits of Mathura Museum are of importance not only for those having archaeological interests but also for Hindu and Buddhist devotees.
History
Until 1836 Mathura was only a place of pilgrimage associated with the faith that it was the birth place of Lord Krishna, avatar of Lord Vishnu and at which point of time Col L R Stacy accidentally found a mound which was an antiquarian material called Silenus and a Yakshi. This gave a break, to consider this place an archaeological treasure. The famous archaeologist Alexander Cunningham did lot of studies between 1853 and 1882 excavating a number of mounds, after which experience, the archaeological administrator of the District, who was the District Collector of Mathura, F S Growse took right efforts to establish this museum in 1874. The Centenary celebrations of the museum was commemorated by the release of a postage stamp on 9th October 1974.
Collections
Mathura museum has wonderful collection of rare sculptures pertaining to the historical periods of Maurya,Kushana, Sunga, and Gupta , while the Kushana artistic material is spoken high of its value. The stone sculptures, terra cotta material, coins of gold, that of silver apart from copper coins, would excite every onlooker because of their antiquity. Besides these, lot of clay seals, pottery belonging to ancient times, rare paintings and icons made in bronze are all within the collections of Mathura museum.
Thus the museum has fine collection of material depicting Indian Art and Iconography, drapery of ancient times, ornaments and various items of domestic use of medieval periods.
Exhibitions
The museum displacys ancient sculptures of Mathura school which belonged to the 12th to 3rd centuries of the previous era.
The venue of the museum is in an octagonal shape building constructed in red sandstone, presenting
- the Splendid sculpture of Kushana
- Coins of Copper, silver and Gold
- Terracotta items, besides ancient pottery
- Bronze icons
- ancient clay seals and
- various other antique items
Kanishka’s headless figure is the most striking preserve of the museum, while the archaic mother goddess statues and Sunga period plaques are also deserving special mention.
How to Reach
Mathura city is located at 145 km from Delhi and 58 km from Agra, right on the Delhi Agra highways, enabling travel by road the most pleasant ride, with a couple of Motels providing facility for the road traveller. The State Roadways Corporations and a number of Private operators ply a number of buses connecting Mathura with these two cities, apart from other cities in the nearby States.
Rail route also connects both Delhi and Agra with Mathura City. Also, Mathura Rail Station lying in the main passage of all long distance trains from various parts of the country, likewise to reach Mathura, an air traveller can choose either of these Cities having airports. However, there are plans to establish an airport at Mathura itself, while Pawan Hans Helicopter services now provides travel services for travellers to Mathura.
Timings and Ticket Prices
Museum is open to public on all days except Mondays, second Sundays and Public Holidays,
- between 10.30 am and 4.30 pm from July to April months and
- between 7.30 am to 12.30 pm in the months of May and June.
Photo Gallery