Mathura, the headquarters of Mathura-Vrindavan district, is held sacred in Hinduism as the birthplace of Krishna (Krishna Janmasthan).
Official history of the district, citing the Archaeological Survey of India's museum plaque, dates references to the Ramayana and the transformation to Madhuvan from Mathura.
The archaeological richness of the area is evident in large protected areas and ASI-monuments throughout the district and the old Mathura–Delhi road.
The contemporary city serves as a gateway to the Braj circuit, connecting Vrindavan, Govardhan, Gokul, Barsana and Nandgaon.
Administration is managed by the Mathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation, with concurrent roles for the Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority in urban planning.
In 2025, Uttar Pradesh declared additional budgetary support to enhance civic infrastructure in Mathura and other newly upgradable municipal corporations, focusing on roads, drainage and planned maintenance through project-based approvals.
Mathura has also been making national news with the prolonged Krishna Janmabhoomi–Shahi Idgah case.
Recent judgments have been the Supreme Court's interim orders and the Allahabad High Court's rulings on procedures (e.g., denying a request to declare the Shahi Idgah a "disputed structure"), making it clear that the matter is still pending in the higher judiciary.
Alongside legal proceedings, state tourism also continues to market pilgrimage routes and heritage sites, while environmental authorities monitor the Yamuna stretch between Agra–Mathura–Vrindavan for compliance regarding sewage and industrial effluent.
Ayodhya is set to celebrate a record-breaking Deepotsav with plans to light over 30 lakh earthen lamps across Ram Ki Paidi and 56 ghats along the Sarayu river in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Vice President of India.
A political confrontation has emerged between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, triggered by campaign posters featuring party chief Akhilesh Yadav alongside Lord Krishna with the slogan '27 Mein Krishna Aayenge'.
India marks Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, honouring his role in the political integration of the country. Dignitaries, including the Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister of Delhi, flagged off the Run for Unity from the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. The route proceeds through India Gate towards the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, with traffic regulations reported along Bhagwan Das Road, Purana Qila Road, and Mathura Road. Organised across multiple cities nationwide under the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, the event sees thousands of participants taking part. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens, especially the youth, to participate from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Kutch to Kamakhya, and is scheduled to lead the Ekta Parv at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat.
On Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced his government's resolve to develop a grand temple complex in Mathura and Vrindavan on the lines of Ayodhya's Ram Temple and Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Dham.
On Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced his government's resolve to develop a grand temple complex in Mathura and Vrindavan on the lines of Ayodhya's Ram Temple and Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Dham. Speaking during celebrations at the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the Chief Minister stated that efforts are underway to create grandiose premises to ensure devotees face no hurdles. The announcement sparked discussions around the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and the long-standing Krishna Janmabhoomi dispute involving 13.37 acres of land. In a debate on India First, petitioner's counsel Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain detailed the legal maintainability and historical documentary evidence regarding the temple's demolition in 1670. Representatives from the Bharatiya Janata Party, Samajwadi Party, and the All India Imam Association presented contrasting viewpoints on the legal proceedings, civilisational faith, historical records, and the broader political narrative surrounding Mathura.
A television news debate examines the political and civilisational dispute surrounding the Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura following remarks made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sri Krishna Janmashtami. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Anila Singh asserts that reclaiming the temple site is a constitutional and civilisational right for Sanatanis, declaring, 'The issue of Shri Krishan Janmabhoomi is not an ordinary land dispute but a matter of faith, identity and a resolve of liberation.' Samajwadi Party spokesperson Anurag Bhadouria accuses the ruling party of invoking religious issues near elections to distract the public from core governance topics such as civic infrastructure, schools, employment, and alleged financial mismanagement at temple trusts. Maulana Sajid Rashidi questions the statements made by political leaders ahead of court verdicts, invoking the Places of Worship Act of 1991 and past Supreme Court observations. The debate centers on historical claims regarding Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's 1670 demolition order and ongoing legal adjudication.
In an interview with India Today, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, counsel representing the Hindu petitioner in the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi case, discussed the legal status of the Mathura title suit. Jain asserted that out-of-court dialogue is untenable, stating, "Dialogue is not possible at all and the only resolution is by a judgement of the Honourable Court." He highlighted that the Allahabad High Court ruled the suits are maintainable and not barred by the Places of Worship Act or the Waqf Act. Jain detailed historical evidence regarding the 13.37-acre disputed land, citing the demolition ordered by Aurangzeb in 1670 as recorded in Maasir-i-Alamgiri, the 1770 Battle of Govardhan, British auction records from 1815, and prior legal rulings. He expressed confidence that a court-appointed Advocate Commission survey will establish that the prison cell of Kansa is located at the site.
A development plan has been outlined to build grand temple complexes in Mathura and Vrindavan on the lines of Ayodhya and Varanasi. The initiative aims to ensure devotees face no difficulties while boosting spiritual tourism across Uttar Pradesh. The announcement comes amid the ongoing legal dispute over the Krishna Janmabhoomi land in the sacred city, ahead of the 2027 state assembly elections.
Delhi Police have detained right-wing activist Swatantra Bharat Bhardwaj from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, following a viral video and podcast where he claimed to have assaulted Sanjay Kumar, the father of influencer Nishu Azad, during protests at Jantar Mantar.
During Janmashtami celebrations, plans were highlighted regarding the development of grand temple complexes in Mathura and Vrindavan, on the lines of the developments in Ayodhya and Kashi. The objective is to ensure that devotees face no difficulties and their religious faith encounters no hurdles. The administration emphasised the responsibility of the government to protect, support, and encourage public celebrations conducted within the framework of law, including events held across police stations and correctional facilities. It was stated that previous regimes failed to respect the sentiments of the public and insulted the cultural heritage of Ayodhya, Kashi, and the Braj region. Furthermore, it was noted that the state has transformed into a curfew-free and riot-free environment, where citizens are experiencing peace and stability under the current governance.
A news report outlines the governance and development milestones of Uttar Pradesh, highlighting a transformation in law and order, economic growth, and infrastructure.
A news report outlines the governance and development milestones of Uttar Pradesh, highlighting a transformation in law and order, economic growth, and infrastructure. The administration has focused on maintaining peace, eradicating curfews, and ensuring security for cultural and religious events across the state. Significant progress has been made in connectivity, with the expansion of expressways, domestic and international airports, metro networks in seven cities, rapid rail systems, and inland waterways. Strict action under a zero-tolerance policy has been enforced against crime and examination paper leaks, including asset confiscation and stringent prison sentences. The state has shifted from past economic challenges to becoming one of the top state economies in the country, providing government jobs to 9.5 lakh youth and fostering skill development zones in emerging technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence. The report highlights progress across micro, small, and medium enterprises, geographical indication tagging, and youth employment initiatives.
Speaking at the Panchayat Aaj Tak event in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted his administration's strict measures against recruitment paper leaks, stating that offenders face life imprisonment, jail time, and seizure of ancestral properties. Comparing Uttar Pradesh pre-2017 and post-2017, he stated that the state is now free from curfews and riots. He criticised previous administrations, particularly the Samajwadi Party, accusing them of undermining Hindu faith and imposing restrictions on festivals like Krishna Janmashtami and the Kanwar Yatra. Adityanath noted that under his government, Kanwar Yatra arrangements were restored with security and facilities, witnessing participation from over five crore pilgrims along the Ghaziabad to Haridwar route without unrest. Highlighting employment and industrial growth, he stated that nine and a half lakh youth received government jobs, 65 lakh youths secured private employment through investments, and over 3.25 crore people were connected through the MSME and One District One Product initiatives.
Speaking at the Panchayat Aaj Tak conclave in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the structural transformation of the state across law and order, tourism, agriculture, enterprise, and primary education. In 2025, over 156 crore tourists visited the state, the CM said.
The Supreme Court's attempt to encourage an out-of-court settlement in three temple-mosque disputes has failed as both Hindu and Muslim parties have rejected the mediation proposal.
Eight individuals have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody following an investigation into alleged donation theft and financial irregularities at the Ayodhya temple trust.
A 23-year-old woman lost her leg after a speeding Thar SUV rammed into her scooter in Mathura's Chandanvan Colony on Saturday evening, with the driver fleeing the scene immediately after. The crash was captured on CCTV cameras in the area. Khushbu Singh was sitting on her parked scooter outside her home at around 5 PM when the SUV struck the vehicle and overturned it. Her brother Rajkumar, 20, who was standing beside her, sustained a shoulder injury. Due to the severity of her injuries, doctors at the hospital were forced to amputate Khushbu's right leg. She also sustained serious injuries to her left leg and head. Police arrived at the scene, seized the damaged SUV and scooter, and transported them to the police station. Police official Shailendra Singh said the accused driver has been identified and a manhunt is underway.
In this episode of News Today, the focus is on the high-stakes peace negotiations between the United States and Iran, which will be held in Islamabad on Saturday.
A video from Mathura has gone viral showing a 17-year-old girl crying for help on the road after accusing a local “baba” of r*pe.
That’s Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS chief, seen moving in an e-cart at Mathura Junction.
