Question 1

What is Kans Qila in Mathura?

Accepted Answer

Kans Qila, also called Kans Kila, is a historic fort in Mathura, on the bank of the Yamuna, revered by tradition as the site of the castle of King Kansa, the tyrant uncle of Krishna whom Krishna slew. The earliest clear mention of it as Kansa's ruined castle is from the eighteenth century and the present structure was built by Man Singh I. In honesty, the fort today is largely in ruins and much encroached, so it is chiefly of interest for its legend and history. It is an open site, generally free to visit. We present the Kansa legend as the tradition of Braj holds it.

Question 2

Why is it called Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

It is called Kans Qila, the fort of Kansa, because it is revered by tradition as the site of the castle or palace of King Kansa, the tyrant ruler of Mathura and the maternal uncle of Krishna, whose story is central to the tale of Krishna's birth; qila means a fort or castle. So the name marks it as the fort of the legendary Kansa. So Kans Qila means, simply, the fort of Kansa. We present the legend of Kansa and the naming of the fort as the cherished belief and tradition of Braj, held with faith, the sacred story to which this historic Mathura fort is tied.

Question 3

Kans Qila Mathura mein kahan hai?

Accepted Answer

Kans Qila, Mathura ke purane shehar mein, Ratankund evam Chowk Bazar ke paas, Yamuna ke kinare hai (Uttar Pradesh 281001). Yah ek prachin durg hai, parampara ke anusaar Raja Kans (Krishna ke mama) ke kile ka sthal. Vartaman dhaancha Man Singh I ne banwaya tha; baad mein Sawai Jai Singh ne ek vedhshala jodi thi jo ab nahin rahi. Sacchai yeh hai ki aaj yah kila adhikaansh khandahar aur atikraman-grast hai, isliye yah mukhya roop se apni katha aur itihaas ke liye dekha jaata hai. Yah ek khula sthal hai, aam taur par nishulk. Mathura, Delhi se 150 km door hai.

Question 4

Why is Kans Qila famous?

Accepted Answer

Kans Qila is famous as the fort of Kansa, revered by tradition as the site of the castle of King Kansa, the tyrant uncle of Krishna, whose story of the prophecy, the imprisonment of Krishna's parents and his slaying by Krishna is central to the tale of Krishna's birth in Mathura; it is famous too for its layered history, built by Man Singh I with a later observatory by Sawai Jai Singh. So it is famous for its legend and its history. So it is a site of the Kansa legend on the Yamuna. We present the legend as the cherished tradition of Braj holds it, tied to the story of Krishna's birth.

Question 5

Who was Kansa?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, Kansa or Kans, was the cruel and powerful king of Mathura, the maternal uncle of Krishna, who, warned by a prophecy that the eighth child of his sister Devaki would slay him, imprisoned Devaki and her husband Vasudeva and sought to destroy their children; in the fullness of time, Krishna, the eighth child, returned and slew him, ending his tyranny. So Kansa was the tyrant uncle of Krishna, slain by him. We present the legend of Kansa as the cherished belief and tradition of Braj, held with faith and recounted with reverence, the story to which Kans Qila is tied at Mathura.

Question 6

Is Kans Qila worth visiting?

Accepted Answer

Kans Qila is worth visiting chiefly for those who care about the legend of Kansa and Krishna and the layered history of Mathura, for whom standing at the site of the tale is meaningful; but in honesty, as it is largely ruined and encroached today, it is not a grand monument, so sightseers after a maintained fort may be disappointed. So it is worth visiting for its legend and history, with realistic expectations, best paired with the Janmabhoomi and the old city. So come for the story rather than grand architecture. We present the site honestly, so you can decide what suits your interests on a Mathura visit.

Question 7

What does qila mean?

Accepted Answer

Qila or kila, means a fort or castle in Hindi and Urdu; so Kans Qila means the fort of Kansa, the historic Mathura fort revered by tradition as the site of the castle of King Kansa, the uncle of Krishna. So the name simply means Kansa's fort. So Kans Qila is the fort of the legendary Kansa on the Yamuna at Mathura. We present the meaning and the legend as the cherished tradition of Braj holds them, the sacred story to which this historic and now largely ruined fort of the holy city is tied.

Question 8

Is Kans Qila a temple?

Accepted Answer

No; Kans Qila is not a temple but a historic fort, revered by tradition as the site of the castle of King Kansa, the uncle of Krishna; it is a heritage and legend site rather than a place of worship and today it is largely in ruins. So it is a fort and a place of legend and history, not a shrine. So a visit is to a historic site, not for darshan. So Kans Qila differs from the temples of Mathura, being a fort of the Kansa legend; for temple darshan, visit the Krishna Janmabhoomi and the great shrines of the holy city nearby, to which the Kansa story truly belongs.

Question 9

What is the legend of Kansa and Krishna?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, Kansa was the cruel king of Mathura, warned by a prophecy that the eighth child of his sister Devaki would slay him; in fear, he imprisoned Devaki and her husband Vasudeva and sought to destroy their children. On the night of the birth of the divine child Krishna, the eighth child, the miracle of his birth and his carrying across the Yamuna to safety at Gokul took place; and in time Krishna returned and slew the tyrant Kansa. So the legend is the tale of the prophecy, the tyranny and Krishna's triumph. We present it as the cherished belief and tradition of Braj, held with faith and recounted with reverence.

Question 10

Why did Kansa imprison Devaki and Vasudeva?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, Kansa imprisoned his sister Devaki and her husband Vasudeva because it had been foretold that the eighth child of Devaki would be his slayer; in fear of the prophecy, he confined them and sought to destroy their children to escape his fate. So Kansa imprisoned them out of fear of the prophecy of his death. So the imprisonment is a central part of the legend of Kansa and the birth of Krishna. We present it as the cherished belief and tradition of Braj, held with faith and recounted with reverence, the dark backdrop of the story of Krishna's birth in Mathura, to which Kans Qila is tied.

Question 11

How is Kans Qila connected to Krishna's birth?

Accepted Answer

Kans Qila is connected to Krishna's birth as the fort of Kansa, the tyrant whose fear of the prophecy led him to imprison Krishna's parents, in whose captivity Krishna was born and whom Krishna in time slew; so the fort belongs to the same legend as the Krishna Janmabhoomi, the birthplace, where the miracle of the birth unfolds. So Kans Qila and the Janmabhoomi are two sites of the one great story of Kansa and Krishna. So a visit to Kans Qila complements the Janmabhoomi. We present the legend as the cherished tradition of Braj holds it, the sacred story of Krishna's birth in Mathura.

Question 12

Did Krishna kill Kansa at Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, Krishna returned to Mathura and slew the tyrant Kansa, ending his cruel reign and freeing his imprisoned parents and the city, fulfilling the prophecy; the tale is set in Mathura, of which Kans Qila is revered as Kansa's fort, though the tradition places the slaying at Kansa's court or arena in the city. So Krishna slew Kansa at Mathura, the city of the fort. So the slaying of Kansa is the climax of the legend to which Kans Qila belongs. We present it as the cherished belief and tradition of Braj, held with faith and recounted with reverence, the triumph of Krishna over the tyrant of Mathura.

Question 13

Where was Krishna born in the Kansa legend?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, Krishna was born in the prison of Mathura where Kansa had confined Devaki and Vasudeva, the eighth child destined to slay the tyrant; the site of this birth is revered as the Krishna Janmabhoomi, the birthplace, in Mathura and the newborn was carried across the Yamuna to safety at Gokul that very night. So Krishna was born in the prison of Mathura, at the Janmabhoomi. So the birth and the Kansa legend are bound together at Mathura. We present the birthplace and the legend as the cherished belief and tradition of Braj, held with faith, the sacred story of the holy city.

Question 14

Who were Devaki and Vasudeva?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, Devaki was the sister of Kansa and the mother of Krishna and Vasudeva her husband and Krishna's father; imprisoned by Kansa in fear of the prophecy that their eighth child would slay him, they were the parents in whose captivity Krishna was born and whom Krishna in time freed by slaying Kansa. So Devaki and Vasudeva are the parents of Krishna in the Kansa legend. We present them and the legend as the cherished belief and tradition of Braj, held with faith and recounted with reverence, central figures of the story of Krishna's birth to which Kans Qila is tied at Mathura.

Question 15

What was the prophecy about Kansa?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, it was foretold to Kansa that the eighth child of his sister Devaki would be the cause of his death, his slayer; it was in fear of this prophecy that Kansa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva and sought to destroy their children and it was fulfilled when Krishna, the eighth child, in time slew him. So the prophecy of his death at the hands of Devaki's eighth child drives the whole legend of Kansa. We present it as the cherished belief and tradition of Braj, held with faith and recounted with reverence, the fateful prophecy of the story of Krishna's birth in Mathura.

Question 16

Why is the Kansa legend important to Mathura?

Accepted Answer

The Kansa legend is important to Mathura because it is the very story of Krishna's birth in the holy city: the tyranny of Kansa, the prophecy, the imprisonment of Krishna's parents, the miraculous birth and Krishna's triumph over the tyrant, which mark Mathura as the birthplace of Krishna and the stage of his early leelas. So the legend is central to Mathura's identity as Krishna's birthplace. So sites like Kans Qila and the Janmabhoomi embody this story. We present the legend as the cherished belief and tradition of Braj, held with faith, the sacred heart of Mathura's greatness as the city of Krishna's birth.

Question 17

Is the Kansa legend history or tradition?

Accepted Answer

The legend of Kansa, of the prophecy, the imprisonment, Krishna's birth and the slaying of the tyrant, is cherished in the Puranas and the living tradition of Braj, held with deep faith by devotees; we present it as the sacred belief and tradition rather than adjudicating it as documented history. The fort of Kans Qila is revered by tradition as Kansa's castle and has its own later recorded history. So the legend is honoured as the profound tradition of Braj. We present it with reverence, without adjudicating it as history, the sacred story to which the historic fort of Kans Qila is tied at Mathura.

Question 18

Is Kans Qila where Kansa's palace stood?

Accepted Answer

By tradition, Kans Qila is revered as the site of the castle or palace of King Kansa and it was first clearly recorded as the ruins of Kansa's castle in the eighteenth century; the structure seen in later times, however, was built long after, by Man Singh I. So by tradition the fort marks the site of Kansa's palace, though what stands is of later construction. So Kans Qila is revered as Kansa's palace-site, its later fort now largely ruined. We present the tradition of Kansa's castle as the cherished belief of Braj, held with faith and the later building as the record of the place.

Question 19

Who built the present Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

The present structure of Kans Qila was built by Man Singh I, the great Rajput noble, long after the age of the legendary Kansa whose castle-site the fort is revered to mark; a later observatory was added to the complex by Sawai Jai Singh, though it has since been demolished. So the fort seen in later times was built by Man Singh I. So the standing structure is of Rajput and Mughal-era construction, not of Kansa's own age. We present this history as the record of the place, a layered story on the site revered by tradition as Kansa's castle at Mathura.

Question 20

Who was Man Singh I?

Accepted Answer

Man Singh I was a great Rajput noble, a prominent figure of the Mughal era, who built the present structure of Kans Qila at Mathura; he is remembered as a builder and general of his age. So Man Singh I is the builder of the fort seen in later times at the site of Kansa's legendary castle. So the standing Kans Qila is his construction, long after the age of Kansa. We present this history as the record of the place, honouring the builder whose fort rose on the site revered by tradition as Kansa's castle on the Yamuna at Mathura.

Question 21

Was there an observatory at Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

Yes; by the record, an observatory is said to have been added to the Kans Qila complex by Sawai Jai Singh, the astronomer-king who built the famous observatories, the Jantar Mantars, of Jaipur, Delhi and elsewhere; however, this observatory at Kans Qila has since been demolished and no longer stands. So there was once an observatory, added by Jai Singh, now gone. So the fort once held an astronomical observatory, part of its layered history. We present this as the record of the place, a lost feature of the historic fort of Kans Qila at Mathura.

Question 22

Who was Sawai Jai Singh?

Accepted Answer

Sawai Jai Singh, who lived from 1699 to 1743, was the astronomer-king of Amber and Jaipur, famous for building the great masonry observatories, the Jantar Mantars, of Jaipur, Delhi, Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura; by the record, he added an observatory to the Kans Qila complex, though it has since been demolished. So Sawai Jai Singh was the astronomer-king who added the lost observatory at Kans Qila. We present this as the record of the place, part of the layered history of the fort, honouring the astronomer-king whose work once graced Kans Qila at Mathura.

Question 23

Who used Kans Qila over the years?

Accepted Answer

By the record, over the centuries Kans Qila passed through many hands: built in its later form by Man Singh I, with an observatory added by Sawai Jai Singh, it was used by the Jats and the Marathas in the turbulent times of the region and under British rule it was neglected and fell into decay. So the fort was used by Rajputs, Jats, Marathas and others through its history. So Kans Qila carries a layered history of many ages and rulers. We present this history as the record of the place, the many chapters of the historic fort on the Yamuna at Mathura.

Question 24

What happened to Kans Qila under the British?

Accepted Answer

By the record, under British rule Kans Qila was neglected and fell further into decay and was somewhat demolished, continuing the decline that had reduced the fort over the ages; much of its walls had crumbled and the site been encroached upon. So under the British the fort was neglected and decayed. So the fort's ruin owes much to this later neglect. We present this history as the record of the place, part of the long decline of the historic fort of Kans Qila, once a grand structure on the Yamuna and now largely in ruins at Mathura.

Question 25

Did Kans Qila have red sandstone pillars?

Accepted Answer

Yes; by the record, the fort of Kans Qila had an audience hall surrounded by red sandstone pillars, a mark of its Mughal-era architecture, the red sandstone being the classic material of the great buildings of northern India of that age. So the fort once had a red sandstone audience hall. So this hall was among its notable features, though much of the fort is now ruined. We present this as the record of the place, a feature of the historic architecture of Kans Qila, on the Yamuna at Mathura, from the age of its later building.

Question 26

Was Kans Qila used against floods?

Accepted Answer

Yes; by the record, standing on the bank of the Yamuna, Kans Qila was at one time used as a barrier against the floods of the river, its riverside position serving to hold back the waters. So the fort once served as a flood barrier on the Yamuna. So this was one of the practical uses of the riverside fort in its history. We present this as the record of the place, part of the layered story of Kans Qila, the historic fort on the bank of the sacred Yamuna at Mathura, revered by tradition as Kansa's castle.

Question 27

When was Kans Qila first recorded as Kansa's castle?

Accepted Answer

By the record, the earliest clear mention of the site as the ruins of Kansa's castle comes from the eighteenth century, from the writer Narahara Chakravarti, who described it as such; since then the walls have largely crumbled and the site been encroached upon. So the site was first clearly recorded as Kansa's castle in the eighteenth century. So the tradition of the fort as Kansa's castle is documented from that time. We present this as the record of the place, the historical mention of Kans Qila as the fort of the legendary Kansa at Mathura, revered by the older living tradition.

Question 28

What does Kans Qila look like today?

Accepted Answer

In honesty, Kans Qila today is largely in ruins and much encroached upon; over the ages its walls have crumbled, later structures like the observatory have been demolished and the surroundings have been built up, so that relatively little of a grand fort remains to see. So it is a ruined and encroached site, not a maintained monument. So do not expect grand standing architecture. We present the site honestly, so you visit with realistic expectations, as a place of legend and history rather than a grand fort, on the Yamuna at Mathura.

Question 29

Is Kans Qila in ruins?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in honesty; Kans Qila is largely in ruins today, its walls having crumbled over the ages, its later observatory demolished and the site much encroached upon by later building, so that little of a grand fort remains. So it is a ruined and encroached site. So come for its legend and history rather than grand architecture, with realistic expectations. We present this honestly, so you can decide what suits your interests; those who care about the story of Kansa and Krishna and the history of the fort find it meaningful, while sightseers after a grand monument may be disappointed.

Question 30

Is Kans Qila well maintained?

Accepted Answer

In honesty, no; Kans Qila is not a well-maintained, curated monument like the great forts of Rajasthan, but a largely ruined and encroached site that has suffered neglect over the ages. So it is not well kept and visitors should come with realistic expectations. So it rewards those interested in its legend and history rather than sightseers after a grand, maintained fort. We present the state of the site honestly, out of care for your visit, so you know what to expect at Kans Qila, a place of legend and layered history rather than a grand monument at Mathura.

Question 31

Should I expect a grand fort at Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

No; in honesty, you should not expect a grand, well-kept fort at Kans Qila, for it is largely in ruins and much encroached today. So come for its legend and its layered history and for the sense of the place where the tale of Kansa and Krishna is set on the Yamuna, rather than for grand architecture. So set your expectations accordingly and it rewards the interested pilgrim and history-lover. We present this honestly so your visit is not a disappointment; the story of Kansa truly comes alive at the Krishna Janmabhoomi nearby, which is well worth pairing with it.

Question 32

Who will enjoy visiting Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

Those who will most enjoy Kans Qila are pilgrims and history-lovers who care about the legend of Kansa and Krishna and the layered history of Mathura, for whom standing at the site of the tale, ruined though it is, is meaningful. Casual sightseers after a grand, maintained monument may be disappointed by its ruined state. So it suits the interested rather than those seeking grand architecture. We present this honestly so you can decide; if the story and history draw you, Kans Qila is a meaningful, if modest, stop on a Mathura pilgrimage, best paired with the Janmabhoomi.

Question 33

Is it safe to visit Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

Kans Qila can be visited with reasonable care; being a ruined and uneven site, take care of the broken ground and any unstable structures, wear sturdy shoes and visit in the daylight; mind your belongings and the state of the Yamuna nearby, as at any old riverside site. So visit with sensible care, in the daylight and it is manageable. So take the usual precautions of a ruined historic site. We present this practically, out of care for your visit, so you can see Kans Qila safely, as a stop of legend and history on a fuller tour of old Mathura.

Question 34

What are the Kans Qila timings?

Accepted Answer

Kans Qila, being an open historic site rather than a gated monument or temple, is generally open and accessible, without fixed gated hours, but it is best visited in the daylight, roughly from around 6 AM in the morning to around 8 PM in the early evening, for safety and the best light. So plan a daytime visit. It is an open site, generally free. So come to Kans Qila in the daylight hours, ideally the morning to early evening, for the best and safest visit and confirm any current access locally, as the state of such open sites can change.

Question 35

What is the entry fee for Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

Kans Qila is an open historic site, generally free to visit, with no formal entry fee, being a ruined and open fort rather than a ticketed, curated monument. So a visit generally costs nothing but your time, apart from your transport. So come freely to Kans Qila in the daylight hours. So it is an open, generally free site; confirm any current arrangements locally, as access to such sites can change. So the main thing to plan for is not a ticket but realistic expectations of the ruined state and sensible care among the ruins on the Yamuna at Mathura.

Question 36

What is the best time to visit Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

The best time to visit Kans Qila is in the daylight, roughly from around 6 AM to around 8 PM, ideally the cooler morning or the early evening, for safety, comfort and the best light among the ruins; the best season is the cool months, roughly October to March, as the summers are very hot. So come in the daylight and the cool season. So plan a daytime visit in the cooler months for the best experience. Our best-time guide covers the seasons of Braj. So visit Kans Qila by day, in the cool season, as a stop of legend and history on a Mathura tour.

Question 37

How long does a visit to Kans Qila take?

Accepted Answer

A visit to Kans Qila does not take long; being a ruined and encroached site, a short while, perhaps twenty to thirty minutes, suffices to take in the site, its river setting and its atmosphere and to reflect on its legend and history. So allow a short visit, best paired with the nearby sites of old Mathura. So it is a brief stop rather than a lengthy sightseeing visit. So plan a short visit to Kans Qila within a fuller tour of the old city, taking in the Janmabhoomi, the Vishram Ghat and the Dwarkadhish temple, to which its story truly belongs at Mathura.

Question 38

Do I need a ticket for Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

Kans Qila is generally an open, free site, not a ticketed monument, so you generally do not need a ticket to visit; it is a ruined and open fort rather than a curated, gated attraction. So no ticket is generally needed. So you can visit freely in the daylight hours. So confirm any current arrangements locally, as access to such open sites can change, but generally a visit to Kans Qila is free and open, needing only your time, sensible care among the ruins and realistic expectations of the site's ruined state at Mathura.

Question 39

What should I wear and bring to Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

For Kans Qila, wear sturdy, comfortable shoes for the uneven, ruined ground and dress modestly, as everywhere in the holy city; carry water, especially in the warmer months and take care of your belongings. As it is a ruined site by the river, mind the broken ground and the state of the Yamuna nearby. So come practically dressed and shod, with water and care. So dress modestly, wear sturdy shoes and bring water for a comfortable, safe visit. So a little practical preparation makes a visit to the ruined riverside fort of Kans Qila easy and pleasant at Mathura.

Question 40

Is Kans Qila suitable for elderly visitors?

Accepted Answer

Kans Qila needs some care for elderly visitors, being a ruined site with uneven, broken ground; those who are frail or have limited mobility should take care or view the site from the more accessible parts, with help. It is a short visit, so it need not be tiring, but the uneven ground calls for caution. Our guide to visiting with elderly parents covers making a Mathura trip comfortable. So elderly visitors can see Kans Qila with care or take it gently, best paired with the more accessible temples and ghats of the old city on a Mathura pilgrimage.

Question 41

What is near Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

Near Kans Qila, in old Mathura by the Yamuna, are the great sites of the city: the Krishna Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Krishna, where the Kansa legend unfolds; the Vishram Ghat, the chief ghat with its evening aarti, where Krishna is said to have rested after slaying Kansa; the Dwarkadhish temple; and the lanes, bazaars and ghats of the old city. So Kans Qila sits amid the great sites of old Mathura. So combine it with these for a fuller pilgrimage. Our Mathura guides cover these sites, the stage of the story of Krishna and Kansa in the holy city.

Question 42

Can I combine Kans Qila with the Krishna Janmabhoomi?

Accepted Answer

Yes and it is fitting; Kans Qila, the fort of Kansa and the Krishna Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Krishna, are two sites of the one great legend of Kansa and Krishna, both in old Mathura, so they are naturally combined for a meaningful pilgrimage of the story of Krishna's birth. So combine Kans Qila with the Janmabhoomi to follow the legend. So the two belong together on a Mathura tour. Our Krishna Janmabhoomi guide covers the birthplace. So see Kans Qila and the Janmabhoomi together, the fort of the tyrant and the birthplace of the divine child who slew him.

Question 43

Is Kans Qila near Vishram Ghat?

Accepted Answer

Yes; Kans Qila is near the Vishram Ghat, the chief ghat of Mathura on the Yamuna, both in the old city by the river; by the tradition, Krishna rested at the Vishram Ghat after slaying Kansa, so the two sites are linked in the legend as well as in place. So Kans Qila and the Vishram Ghat are close and connected. So combine them on a tour of old Mathura, along with the Janmabhoomi and the Dwarkadhish temple. Our Vishram Ghat guide covers the ghat and its beautiful evening aarti, a lovely pairing with the fort of Kansa nearby.

Question 44

What is a good Mathura itinerary with Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

A good old-Mathura itinerary with Kans Qila is: the Krishna Janmabhoomi, the birthplace, where the Kansa legend unfolds; Kans Qila, the fort of Kansa, a short stop for its legend and history; the Dwarkadhish temple; and the Vishram Ghat for the evening aarti, where Krishna rested after slaying Kansa. This follows the story of Krishna and Kansa through the old city. So build Kans Qila into a fuller Mathura tour. Our Mathura guides set out the plans. So see Kans Qila within a day of old Mathura, following the legend of Krishna's birth and triumph in the holy city.

Question 45

Is Kans Qila part of a Mathura Vrindavan tour?

Accepted Answer

Kans Qila can be included on a Mathura Vrindavan tour for those interested in its legend and history, as a short stop in old Mathura alongside the Janmabhoomi, the Vishram Ghat and the Dwarkadhish temple; being a ruined site, it is a brief, optional addition rather than a major stop. So it can be part of a fuller tour, for the interested. So include Kans Qila if its story draws you, on a Mathura and twin-city pilgrimage. We arrange such tours and can include Kans Qila and the legend-sites of old Mathura for those who wish, with a knowledgeable local guide to bring the story alive.

Question 46

Where is Kans Qila located?

Accepted Answer

Kans Qila is located near Ratankund and Chowk Bazar, in the old city of Mathura, on the bank of the Yamuna, at Uttar Pradesh 281001. So it stands in old Mathura by the river, among the great sites of the city. So look for Kans Qila near Ratankund and Chowk Bazar in the old city. So its location in the old-city core, by the Yamuna, places it near the Krishna Janmabhoomi, the Vishram Ghat and the Dwarkadhish temple, the sites of the legend of Krishna and Kansa, with which it is best combined on a Mathura pilgrimage.

Question 47

How do I reach Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

Reach Mathura first, about 150 km from Delhi and 55 to 60 km from Agra, by road or by train to Mathura Junction; then reach Kans Qila, near Ratankund and Chowk Bazar in the old city by the Yamuna, by cycle-rickshaw, e-rickshaw, auto and on foot in the old-city lanes. The nearest airports are Agra and Delhi. So reach Mathura, then Kans Qila in the old city by local transport. A local guide makes finding it easy. Our how-to-reach guide covers arriving in Mathura in full. So Kans Qila is easily reached within old Mathura, by the sacred Yamuna.

Question 48

How far is Kans Qila from Mathura Junction?

Accepted Answer

Kans Qila, in the old city of Mathura by the Yamuna, is a few kilometres from Mathura Junction railway station, reached by auto-rickshaw, e-rickshaw or taxi through the city. So it is a short trip from the station into the old city. So from Mathura Junction, reach Kans Qila easily by local transport. So the fort is conveniently placed for those arriving by train, in the old-city core near the Janmabhoomi and the ghats. So plan a short local trip from the station to Kans Qila, best combined with the nearby sites of old Mathura on a pilgrimage.

Question 49

How do I get around old Mathura to see Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

To see Kans Qila and the sites of old Mathura, get around by cycle-rickshaw, e-rickshaw, auto and on foot, which suit the narrow old-city lanes near the river; a hired car or a tour with a driver is comfortable for reaching the area, then explore on foot and by rickshaw. So get around the old city by rickshaw and on foot. Our commuting guide covers getting around Braj. So use local transport and your feet to see Kans Qila and the nearby Janmabhoomi, Vishram Ghat and Dwarkadhish temple, following the legend of Krishna and Kansa through old Mathura.

Question 50

Can you arrange a visit to Kans Qila?

Accepted Answer

Yes; we arrange Mathura and twin-city tours that can take in Kans Qila, the fort of Kansa, for those interested in its legend and history, along with the great sites of the old city, the Krishna Janmabhoomi, the Vishram Ghat and the Dwarkadhish temple, with the transport, the routing, the timing and a knowledgeable local guide to bring the story of Kansa and Krishna and the history of the fort alive. A shared day tour starts from around ₹1,499 per person, with darshan free at the temples throughout. Message us on WhatsApp at +91-7302265809 with your dates to plan a visit to Kans Qila and the legend-sites of old Mathura.

What it is	A historic riverside fort in Mathura
By tradition	The site of the castle of King Kansa
Present structure by	Man Singh I
Later addition	An observatory by Sawai Jai Singh, now demolished
Today	Largely in ruins and encroached
Where	Near Chowk Bazar, on the Yamuna, Mathura

Detail	Information
What it is	A historic riverside fort in Mathura
By tradition	The site of the castle of King Kansa, uncle of Krishna
First clearly recorded	As Kansa's ruined castle in the eighteenth century
Present structure by	Man Singh I
Later addition	An observatory by Sawai Jai Singh, now demolished
Today	Largely in ruins and much encroached
Location	Near Ratankund and Chowk Bazar, on the Yamuna, Mathura
Entry	An open site, generally free

Temple	Summer Morning	Summer Evening	Winter Morning	Winter Evening	Key Note
Banke Bihari Temple	07:45 AM - 12:00 PM	05:30 PM - 09:30 PM	08:45 AM - 01:00 PM	04:30 PM - 08:30 PM	Curtain shifts every 30-45 sec; no phones inside
Prem Mandir	07:30 AM - 12:00 PM	04:30 PM - 08:30 PM	08:30 AM - 12:00 PM	04:30 PM - 08:00 PM	Musical Fountain: 7:30 PM summer / 7:00 PM winter
ISKCON Krishna Balram	04:10 AM - 12:45 PM	04:30 PM - 08:30 PM	04:10 AM - 12:45 PM	04:30 PM - 08:30 PM	Mangala Aarti at 05:00 AM daily
Radha Raman Temple	05:00 AM - 12:30 PM	06:00 PM - 09:00 PM	05:30 AM - 12:30 PM	06:00 PM - 09:00 PM	Self-manifested Shaligram deity; 1542 CE
Sri Rangji Mandir	05:30 AM - 10:30 AM	04:00 PM - 09:00 PM	06:00 AM - 11:00 AM	04:00 PM - 09:00 PM	South Indian architecture; gold pillar
Nidhivan Temple	05:00 AM - 08:00 PM	Closed after sunset	06:00 AM - 07:00 PM	Closed after sunset	No entry after evening aarti strictly enforced
Krishna Janmasthan	05:00 AM - 12:00 PM	04:00 PM - 09:30 PM	05:30 AM - 12:00 PM	03:00 PM - 08:30 PM	Photo ID required; no cameras/phones in sanctum
Dwarkadhish Temple	06:30 AM - 10:30 AM	04:00 PM - 07:00 PM	06:30 AM - 10:30 AM	03:30 PM - 06:00 PM	Near ghats; early evening close plan morning
Gita Mandir	05:00 AM - 12:00 PM	02:00 PM - 09:00 PM	05:30 AM - 12:00 PM	02:00 PM - 08:30 PM	700 Gita shlokas carved on pillars
Vishram Ghat Aarti	Open 24 hrs	Aarti: 06:45 PM	Open 24 hrs	Aarti: 06:45 PM	Fixed timing year-round; arrive 6:30 PM

Kans Qila, Mathura: The Fort of Kansa, its Legend, History and Visitor Guide

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Kans Qila: an overview

The fort at a glance

What is Kans Qila?

The legend of Kansa

The history of the fort

Kans Qila today: what to expect

Timings, entry and how to visit

What to see nearby

How to reach Kans Qila

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