Importance of Kashi and Mathura temples to Hindus

Kashi Vishwanath temple was constructed adjacent to that mosque. Similarly, a mosque and a temple co-exist in Mathura. 
Shahi Idgah is situated opposite the Hindu temple in Krishna Janmabhoomi. Both Mathura and Varanasi are protected under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act of 1991.

The Kashi temple and mosque

Mathura is one of the seven holiest cities of Hindus, the other being Ujjain, Haridwar, Kashi, Kanchi, Puri and Dwaraka. 
Located on the banks of the river Yamuna, in the present day Uttar Pradesh, Mathura has a long history, a tradition associated with the life of Lord Krishna and the sanctity of a holy place rivaling that of Kashi. 
In its long and checkered history of 5000 years, it received the positive and negative attention of many kings and emperors who either built monuments of their own or destroyed those built by others.

Mathura is believed to be the birthplace of Krishna, which is located at the Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex. It is one of the Sapta Puri, the seven cities considered holy by Hindus. The Keshav Deo Temple was built in ancient times on the site of Krishna's birthplace (an underground prison). Mathura was the capital of the kingdom of Surasena, ruled by Kansa, the maternal uncle of Krishna.

The Mathura temple and the mosque adjoining it

Mathura has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India. 

THE SHRI KRISHNA JANMASTHAN COMPLEX in Mathura is an extremely important place of pilgrimage, not only for all Vaishnavites and devotees of Lord Krishna but for Hindus of other traditions as well. All come to see the sacred birthplace of the Lord in one of Hinduism’s seven holy cities. By some accounts, it is the most frequently visited temple in all of India.

Varanasi or Kashi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world.The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages.Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. 

Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.

Ganges is said to have its origins in the tresses of Lord Shiva and in Varanasi, it expands to the mighty river that we know of. The city is a center of learning and civilization for over 3000 years. With Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment, just 10 km away, Varanasi has been a symbol of Hindu renaissance. 

Knowledge, philosophy, culture, devotion to Gods, Indian arts and crafts have all flourished here for centuries. Also a pilgrimage place for Jains, Varanasi is believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar.

Vaishnavism and Shaivism have co-existed in Varanasi harmoniously. With a number of temples, Mrs. Annie Besant chose Varanasi as the home for her 'Theosophical Society' and Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, to institute 'Benares Hindu University, the biggest University in Asia. 

Ayurveda is said to be originated at Varanasi and is believed to be the basis of modern medical sciences such as Plastic surgery, Cataract and Calculus operations. Maharshi Patanjali, the preceptor of Ayurveda and Yoga, was also affiliated with Varanasi, the holy city. Varanasi is also famous for its trade and commerce, especially for the finest silks and gold and silver brocades, since the early days.

Varanasi has also been a great center of learning for ages. Varanasi is associated with promotion of spiritualism, mysticism, Sanskrit, yoga and Hindi language and honored authors such as the ever-famous novelist Prem Chand and Tulsi Das, the famous saint-poet who wrote Ram Charit Manas. 

Aptly called as the cultural capital of India, Varanasi has provided the right platform for all cultural activities to flourish. Many exponents of dance and music have come from Varanasi. Ravi Shankar, the internationally renowned Sitar maestro and Ustad Bismillah Khan, (the famous Shehnai player) are all sons of the blessed city or have lived here for major part of their lives.

Prominence of Kashi

• Apart from being one of the Sapta Puri, the city of Kashi comes with a mythological legacy as a residing place of Lord Shiva and hence, Kashi is also known as ‘AVIMUKTA’ - meaning ‘ Unliberated’ [ in the present context, unliberated from Lord Shiva’s presence where the God would never abandon it] .

What more one believing Hindu can ask for ? 

• In addition to this, Kashi has been prominent throughout the Indian cultural [r]evolution beginning from the Vedic age through Mahajanapadas to the time of Buddha and Mahavira to Adi Shankara and Gurunanak , who visited Varanasi during their times which is no coincidence along with many more philosophers and saints.
• The Ganga, the river of wisdom and epitome of the Indian Cultural thought flowing adjacent to Kashi offers ‘Moksha’ from the eternal life cycle and in the olden days, the Kashi pilgrimage was considered to be the ‘Final Pilgrimage.’
• Historically speaking, Kashi is amongst one of the List of oldest continuously inhabited cities and it certainly carries a historical significance in the minds of all Indians.

A combination of these factors have imprinted the cultural psyche of all the Indians, not just the South and hence, Varana+Asi is considered to be the most important of all pilgrimage centers.