Shri Nathji Temple, Nathdwara :Introduction, How to reach, Major Attraction, Darshan timings, Aarti Video, Pictures

Shri Nathji Temple, Nathdwara :Introduction, How to reach, Major Attraction, Darshan timings, Aarti Video, Pictures

Introduction

Nathdwara, means the gate of God. It is the most renowned pilgrim of India. Nathdwara is located on the banks of Benas river just 48 kms ahead of Udaipur. Nathdwara is also famous for the Pichhwai paintings - the most famous Rajasthani art. This art portrays the Lord Shrinathji & their activities.

How to reach Nathdwara

Nathdwara is only 48 kms from Udaipur, which well connected to all major cities through buses, trains and flights.

• By Air : Indian Airlines and Jet Airways connects Udaipur with Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Mumbai. Dabok Airport is 52 km.
• By Rail : Western Railways connects Mavli Junction on the meter gauge with direct trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur and Khandwa. Mavli Junction is 38 km. and Chittorgarh is 110 Km.
• By Road: State Government and Deluxe buses connects Nathdwara with all major tourist station of Rajasthan. City Bus station is 1.5 km.

Distance from major cities

• Udaipur - New Delhi 597 Kms
• Udaipur - Mumbai 1051 Kms
• Udaipur - Jaipur 336 Kms
• Udaipur - Jodhpur 260 Kms
• Udaipur - Jaisalmer 285 Kms

Major Attraction

Shri Nathji Temple : This temple is the only major attraction Nathdwara. This 17th century temple house the original statue of Shrinathji or Lord Krishna. According to history, the statue was brought to Mewar kingdom for the sake of safety in the period of Aurangazeb the Moghul monarch. The chariot shipping the statue was jammed here, and consequently a shrine was established with the permission of the then Rana of Mewar at Nathdwara.

Darshans or glimpses of Srinathji can be sought 8 times in the day. individually known as Ashtaya, the 8 darshans are Mangala, Shrungar, Gwal, Rajbhog, Uthhapan, Bhog, Sandhaya Aarti and Shayan. In each of them the leelas (divine manifestations) of the Lord are described and harmonized with His daily routine. Millions of devotees come here every year, to make there wish and pray to the almighty Lord Krishna.

Lal Bagh : The Lag bagh is a beautiful garden outside the city. There you can find lot of rare plants & trees.

Shrinathji Temple Nathdwara

48 km from Udaipur, Shrinathji of Nathdwara is actually a temple of Lord Krishna with his image carved out of a single block of black marble. Set amidst idyllic hills, it is said to be the second richest temple in the world. The royalty of Udaipur pray at the temple and as the head of his clan, the Maharana is also called as Shriji among his people. As the legend goes, Goswami Dev fled from Mathura to escape from Aurangzeb and carried this particular idol in a chariot with an intention to take it to Udaipur. However, his chariot got stuck in Sinhad and finally, he took it as a token of the divine will and decided to consecrated it on the spot. This place is now known as Nathdwara. Glimpses of the idol situated in the inner sanctum of the temple are permitted only for short intervals eight times a day in different moods. Besides those intervals, the temple precincts is relatively free from crowds and people who are here to capture the beauty of art and architecture of the place, may move around at their leisure and enjoy the still-preserved royal splendor of the bygone era.

The temple is referred to as 'Haveli', commonly used in Rajasthan for the mansions of the wealthy merchants. Temple servants wear the clothes and costumes of the bygone era of kings and queens and serve the deity as the beloved prince and darling of Nandaraj and Yashoda maiya, the adoptive parents of Lord Krishna. At regular intervals, there is a live performance of classical music in its many fragrant marble halls and courtyards, to entertain Him. There are 'pankhwalas' who still pull on the large fans manually to cool the interiors. There are drums and trumpets to announce the 'Royal Darshan' in the noon just as the announcements that the kings entering their courts were once made. The temple is built around several split-level courtyards to keep it airy with a solid-white façade at its exteriors. There are paintings of elephants, horses, beautiful maidens and doorkeepers on all the doorways. It is said that famous pichwai paintings originated from the custom of painted curtain cloths behind the idol.

Darshan & Aarti Video

Darshan Timings

Official Website of Nathdwara Srinath Ji temple :

http://www.nathdwaratemple.org/