Mathura

Mathura (the forest of Madhu), an ancient city on the Yamuna and capital of the Shurasena country, is Krishna's birthplace, where He appeared to Devaki in Kamsa's prison. It is called 'Madhor vana' after the daitya Madhu. After slaying Kamsa, Krishna restored the kingdom to Ugrasena there; later, under Jarasandha's assaults, the Yadus moved to Dvaraka. At SB 1.10.26 the city women call it 'most holy', since the Lord graced it by His birth and His wanderings.

Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa 1.10.26 — Sanskrit Wikisource (pinned oldid=110181)