Shrinathji Temple,Nathdwara,Rajasthan

Nathdwara is a small town in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Situated at a distance of 48kms in the north-east of Udaipur, Nathdwara is sited on the right bank of Banas River. Nathdwara is famous for its 17th century temple that is dedicated to Lord Shrinathji (Lord Krishna). The term ‘Nathdwara’ suggests the ‘gate of the lord’. Shrinathji Temple is also known as ‘Haveli of Shrinathji’ and makes a prominent pilgrimage of the Hindus / Vaishnavas.

ABOUTTHE TEMPLE
HISTORY
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Shrinathji Temple is a hindu temple dedicated to Shrinathji in Nathdwara. It is considered an important pilgrimage centre byVaishnavs.Shrinathji symbolizes a form of Krishna, when he lifted the Govardhan hill, with one arm raised.The image in the form of a single black marble, where the lord is revealed with his left hand raised and the right hand made into a fist resting at the waist, with a large diamond placed beneath the lips. The idol is carved in Bas-relief out of a monolithic blackmarble stone, with images of two cows, one lion, one snake, two peacocks and one parrot engraved on it and three sages placed near it.

The iconography at the temple has given birth to Nathdwara Paintings.

The Shrinathji Temple has a story behind its establishment. According to the legend, the image of Lord Shrinathji was enshrined in Vrindavan (land of Lord Krishna), but to protect the idol from the destructive rage of Aurangzeb. In 1672, Rana Raj Singh was the only gallant, who made an effort to rescue the idol from the domain of Aurangzeb. It is said that when the image was being shifted to an impervious place then at a particular place, the wheel of vehicle sank deep down in mud. The image refused to move further, so the escorting priest apprehended that this was Lord’s chosen spot. Thus, a temple was built on the same spot.

It is believed Shrinathji used to travel to Mewar to play dice with a Princess by the name of Ajab Kauri. She was upset whenever her beloved Shrinathji would go back to Vraj and asked him to stay with her in the palace. Lord Shrinathji said that one day He would make her palace His home. This palace is the current temple of Shrinathji.

Presently, Shrinathji is worshiped by priests from this kul (genealogical descendants) of Vallabhacharya, in all Havelis around the world, which have also been established exclusively by them.Economy and livelihoods in Nathdwara town revolve around the Haveli, the term used for the temple probably because it was situated in a fortified mansion, or Haveli, once a royal palace of the Sesodia Rajput rulers of Mewar.

Shrinathji was quite popular with other medieval devotees, as well, as there were preachers who founded Shrinathji temples in present-dayPakistan (Dera Ghazi Khan). This was done by Shri LaljiMaharaj and his deity of Shri Gopinathji and Shri Dauji of Dera Ghazi Khan, earlier a part of undivided India and not far from here. Shrinathji was even worshiped as far away as Russia and other places on the Central Asian trade routes. Tradition holds that Shrinathji would return to Govardhansomeday with a new temple at Puchri in Govardhan.

The structure of this temple is simple, but the aesthetic appeal of this temple is ceaseless. The image of Shrinathji is worth seeing and feeling the celestial beauty of the God. Lord Shrinathji symbolizes a form of Lord Krishna, when he lifted the ‘Govardhana’ (a hill). In the image, the lord is revealed with his left hand raised and the right is bunged in a fist. The idol is carved out of a large black stone. Images of two cows, a snake, a lion, two peacocks and a parrot by the god’s head are imprinted on the idol.

The Shrinathji Temple opens at 5:30 in the morning and is closed at 10:00 AM and once again re-opens at 4:00 PM and closes at 9:00 PM. Archana, Abhishekam and Arathi are the daily rituals performed in the temple.
Darshan Timings:

Type
Mangala	Morning 5:30 – 6:15
Shringar	8:15 AM to 7:45 AM
Gwala	9:10 AM to 9:40 AM
Raj Bhog	11:15 AM to 12:00 noon
Uthpan	3:40 PM to 4:10 PM
Aarti	5:15 to 6:15

During the times of Holi, Diwali and Janmashtmi, people throng in large numbers and the place gets overcrowded. Apart from festivals like Holi and Janmashtmi, Annakutta is a major festival that is celebrated in the temple with full gusto and fervor. A visit to this temple must be avoided during these days. Shrinathji Temple can be visited by only Hindus with an exception of foreigners.

By Road:

Nathdwara can be accessed by state owned buses from neighboring cities including Udaipur. Rajasthan Roadways operates public bus services between Udaipur and other major cities in Rajasthan. Volvo super deluxe buses are available from Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad to Udaipur.

By Rail:

The nearest Railway Station is Mavli Jn. which is 30 kms. far from Nathdwara and Udaipur City Railway Station is 50 kmsfar from Nathdwara Town. Regular Trains from Udaipur City and Mavli Jn. are available for Ahmedabad, Gwalior and Jaipur and also available alternate day for Mumbai & New Delhi. The Udaipur -Bandra (Mumbai) and Udaipur New Delhi Trains are proposed to be six days in a week.

By Air:

Nearest airport to Nathdwara is Udaipur, which is at a distance of about 60 km away. Regular buses and taxis ply to Nathdwara from Udaipur. Many domestic airlines connect the city to most of the major cities in India including Kolkata, Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai. Regular flight services are available from Udaipur to Delhi and Mumbai. Taxi services are offered at a rate of Rs 700 from airport to Nathdwara city.

You can find complete information about the temple at http://www.nathdwaratemple.org/default.aspx. You can book your accommodation and also know about the darshan timings by using the given website.