Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, Mathura

The famous Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple or Krishna Janmasthan is one of India’s most sacred places of worship for the Hindus. Within the temple complex, there is a small prison like structure, and it is believed that the lord was born here. The temple is believed to have been built by Raja Vir Singh Bundela of Orchha, in the reign of Jahangir.

However, going back further, there is another version that has it that the first temple here was constructed almost 5000 years ago by the great-grandson of Lord Krishna. In its heyday, it was said that its glory could not be described in words or paintings. The original temple was, however, destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1017 AD along with several other temples and Buddhist monuments.

The temple has undergone several architectural changes over the years. The present day complex is a representation of typical Hindu style architecture. During the reign of Aurangzeb, a magnificent mosque was built next to the temple in an attempt to deflect attention from it.