Tears of Mathura

"Tears of Mathura" is a richly sensory novella that weaves together myth, history, and contemporary struggles surrounding the sacred site of Lord Krishna's birthplace in Mathura, India. Spanning centuries, the story begins with the divine birth of Krishna, experienced through the eyes of Arjun, a cowherd who witnesses the Yamuna River's miraculous parting amid ethereal scents, sounds, and lights. It then shifts to the traumatic destruction of the Keshav Dev temple in 1670 under Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, as seen by Hari, a priest who endures the acrid smells of fire and ruin while clinging to the site's spiritual essence. The narrative emphasizes how Mathura's identity is rooted in its "veins"—the Yamuna River and the earth itself—where memories persist through vivid sensory details like the scent of jasmine-limestone and the flute's haunting melody, symbolizing enduring faith amid conquest and loss. In the modern era, the novella follows Raj, an engineer tasked with enforcing a 1968 compromise that divides the site between a temple and mosque, resulting in a sterile, concrete boundary that fails to heal deep wounds. Enter Lila, a pragmatic Delhi lawyer defending the status quo in a Supreme Court case, whose perspective shifts upon immersing herself in Mathura's sensory world. Collaborating with Aisha, a Muslim schoolteacher envisioning unity, they initiate the "Rasta-e-Muhabbat" (Path of Love)—a neutral heritage corridor promoting shared history through exhibits, architecture, and communal spaces. Amid political resistance, floods, and archival discoveries, the characters confront sensory aggressions like clashing colors, amplified sounds, and invasive smells, ultimately fostering dialogue over division. The story culminates in a profound realization that true divinity lies not in contested stones but in the Yamuna's flowing waters, which carry the city's tears—transformed from grief to resilience. Through explorations of subterranean tunnels preserving ancient scents and ethereal flute sounds, the novella meditates on empathy, neutrality, and coexistence, arguing that Mathura's spirit endures in shared sensory experiences rather than legal verdicts or rigid boundaries. It ends on a note of unfinished harmony, inviting ongoing human effort to sustain the city's complex, living tapestry.