Shreenathaji Darshan

Shreenathaji [ Nathdwara ]

Meaning the 'Gate of the Lord', Nathdwara, one of the biggest Hindu pilgrimage sites in India, houses Lord Krishna as Govardhan Giridhari. Originally enshrined at the Mount Govardhana in Vraja Bhoomi, Mathura, this image of Krishna is known as Shrinathji. Nathdwara is situated 48 km north east of Udaipur in Rajasthan, on the banks of the Banas River. Nathdwara enshrines Shrinathji - an image of Krishna, which was originally, enshrined at the Vraja Bhoomi at Mount Govardhana near Mathura. During the rule of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, this image was brought to Mewar for the sake of protection. It is believed, the chariot carrying the image got stuck here. Hence, with due permission from the Rana of Mewar, this temple was established here. The Vallabha Sampradaya of Vaishnavism also rates this place very highly.

Nathdwara is a town in Rajasthan state of western India. It is located in the Aravalli hills, on the banks of the Banas River in Rajsamand District, just north of Udaipur. This holy town is famous for its temple of Krishna which houses the Shrinathji, a 12th century image (murti) of Krishna. The image was moved in the 17th century from Govardhan hill, near Mathura, to protect it from the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's campaign against Hindu worship in his empire. The Haveli of Shrinathji (as the temple is called), was once a royal palace of the Sesodia Rajput rulers of Mewar.

Nathdwara - BASIC INFORMATION

Area 75.50 sq. km.

Population 30,885

Altitude 230 meters

Languages Hindi,English,Rajasthani

Best Time to Visit September to February

STD Code 02953

Climate (Tentative)

Summer: 42.2 degrees Celsius 27.3 degrees Celsius

Winter: 27.0 degrees Celsius 9.7 degrees Celsius

Rainfall: 31 cm

How to reach Shreenathaji (Nathdwara)

It is well connected by Road network.

Rail : You can get train frequency up to Udaipur from Ahmedabad. From Udaipur you will get private as well at Stat Transport Vehicles to Reach Shreenathaji (Nathdwara)

Road : It is very well connected by Road. You will get good frequency from all major town of Rajasthan as well as from Ahmedabad.

Air : Nearest Airport is Udaipur or you can use Ahmedabad / Jaipur airport as well. From Airport you will find private vehicles / State Transport Buses to reach Shreenathaji.

History

Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya 4 narrates the story of Gaudiya Vaishnava sannyasi Madhavendra Puri who was visited by Shri Gopalji (original name of Shri Nathji) in Vrindavan and given a pot of milk. Later He appeared to him in a dream and instructed him to excavate His image from a jungle and install it in a temple on Govardhan hill. The installation was accompanied by Annakuta ceremony, a huge feast offered to the Lord. His worship was taken over by devotees in the Vallabha sampradaya shortly after Srila Madhavendra Puri's disappearance.

This modest temple attracts Krishna devotees from all over the world including various parts of India, but is significantly important to the Gujarati people of India, thereby making it one of the wealthiest temples of India. The town is often called Shrinathji rather than its original name, Nathdwara. During any major Hindu festival it is common to see enormous crowds packing the entire town and the temple complex.

Life in this town revolves around the Haveli, the term used for all the temples of the Pushtimarg Vaishnavism. Interestingly, this is one of the most colorful sects within the devotional side of Hinduism which also happens to be one of the few that do not advocate renunciation for spiritual growth. It is this worldly, practical and realistic view of life that lends itself to the colorfulness of the sect.

Shrinathji was evidently quite popular with other medieval devotees as well as there were Gaudiya preachers who founded Shrinathaji temples in present-day Pakistan (Dera Ghazi Khan). Shrinathji was even worshiped as far away as Russia (in the lower Volga region) and other places on the Central Asian trade routes. Tradition holds that he will one day return to Govardhana.

Where to Stay

The Nathdwara Temple Board are having dharmashals for the devotees around the temple. The famous and good places to stay are as follows:

* Dhiraj Dham-Located in the Market.

* New Cottages-Located in the Market.

* Chitalwala and Balasinor -Located in vegetable Market.

* Vallabh Cottages-Very near to Temple.

ATM at Nathdwara (Shreenathaji)

* ICICI Bank ATM

* Bank Of Baroda ATM