Nathdwara Temple is a town located in India’s Rajasthan state. Nathdwara is located 48 kilometers northeast of Udaipur on the right bank of the Banas River. Nathdwara is renowned for its 17th-century Lord Shrinathji temple (Lord Krishna). The name ‘Nathdwara’ refers to the lord’s gate. Shrinathji Temple, also known as the ‘Haveli of Shrinathji,’ is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus and Vaishnavas.
Nathdwara Temple History:
There are two significant stories that are believed to have played a role in the temple’s construction: (The stories were told by the priests of Shrinathji Temple.)
The first story goes like this-
It is believed that in 1672, in order to save the whole Krishna idol from the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Rana Raj Singh took the idol from Vrindavan and decided to take it far away from the Mughal Emperor’s reach.
The idol was positioned in a bullock cart, which became stuck somewhere in Nathdwara; the priests accompanying the idol deduced from this incident that Lord Krishna wanted to stay in the same place where the bullock cart had become stuck. As a result, a massive shrine was built where the idol of Lord Krishna was and still is worshipped.
The second story goes like this-
Meera Bai, a well-known deity of Lord Krishna, once requested that Lord Krishna accompany her to her birthplace of Chittor. Lord Krishna agreed to accompany her, but with one condition: he said he’d stroll behind her but asked her not to look back until she reached Chittor. It is said that when Meera Bai arrived in Nathdwara, she lost her patience and looked behind her to see if Lord Krishna was following her. Krishna Ji turned himself into a statue and declared, “I’ll rest here until there is purity in the world, as soon as I sense intense Sins in Kalyuga; I’ll disappear from this land.”
Architecture of the Temple:
The architecture of this temple is simple, but its aesthetic appeal is endless. Shrinathji’s image is worth seeing and experiencing God’s celestial beauty. When Lord Shrinathji lifted the ‘Govardhana,’ he represented a form of Lord Krishna (a hill). The image depicts the lord with his left hand raised and his right hand fisted. The idol is carved with a large black stone.
The idol bears imprints of 2 cows, a snake, a lion, 2 peacocks, and a parrot by the deity’s head. The temple authorities own at least 500 cows, one of which is known as Shrinathji’s cow. This cow is considered to be descended from a line of cattle that has served the lord for centuries. Wagon Loads of food used to arrive here are said to be consigned by and consigned to Shrinathji. The holy shrine of Shrinathji is very well all across Rajasthan and India.People from the Vaishnava community flock to this holy pilgrimage in large numbers.
Festivals celebrated: People flock in large numbers during the holidays of Holi, Diwali, and Janmashtmi, and the place becomes overcrowded. Aside from Holi and Janmashtmi, Annakutta is a major festival that is celebrated in the temple with zeal and fervor. Only Hindus, with the exception of foreigners, are permitted to visit Shrinathji Temple.
Nathdwara is also known as the “Apollo of Mewar.” The Shrinathji temple is the main attraction in Nathdwara, but the town is also known for its ‘pichhwai’ drawings, ivory articles, and mouth-watering sweets. You can buy items here as a souvenir of your pilgrimage to Shrinathji. One must visit this temple to experience spiritual ecstasy and to receive Lord Shrinathji’s blessings.
Timing of Temples:
The timings of the temple are mentioned below:
Mangla: 5:45 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Shringar: 7:25 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Gwal: 9:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Rajbhog: 11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
Uthapan: 3:50 p.m. to 4:10 p.m.
Offerings: 4:50 p.m. to 5:05 p.m.
Aarti: 5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Nathdwara is during the winter season, which lasts from September to February. The weather is delightful at this time of year, making it ideal for freely roaming and exploring the wonderful city. The rest of the year, the climate is extreme. Summers are excruciatingly hot, with temperatures reaching 42 degrees Celsius. Winters are relatively mild, with average daily temperatures of 26 degrees Celsius and nights as low as 9 degrees Celsius. The months of September to February are ideal for visiting this location.
How to reach:
Udaipur is very well connected, so getting there is never an issue. Udaipur is one of the world’s oldest tourist destinations, and it is easily accessible by train, flight, and road. The temple is in the Udaipur town of Nathdwara.
Udaipur’s Dabok airport is approximately 41 kilometers from Nathdwara. Another Jodhpur Airport is about 201 kilometers away from the temple. For those who are pressed for time, a flight is the best option.
There are no direct trains to the Nathdwara district from Udaipur City Railway Station; however, you can take a fast train from Malvi Junction, which is 30 kilometers away from Udaipur City Railway Station. Although Malvi Junction is not a major railway station, it is close to the Shrinathji temple. The Udaipur City Railway Station is about 50 kilometers away in the town of Nathdwara.
Public transportation- Public transportation is readily available to quickly travel into the interiors of Nathdwara town. To get to the temple quickly, you can take private taxis, cabs, auto-rickshaws, or buses.
More to Explore:
Shrinathji’s location provides numerous sightseeing opportunities, including historical and religious sites. Haldighati, Maharana Pratap Memorial, Dwarkadheesh temple, and Charbhuja temple are a few examples. Haldighati is perhaps the most infamous battleground in Indian history. Maharana Pratap fought the Mughal Emperor, Akbar, on this battlefield. This land’s turmeric-colored soil is a sight to behold. The Maharana Pratap Memorial is a repository of critical historical materials associated with the bravery and courage of Mewar’s most innocent and inspiring ruler. The items give you a glimpse into the ruler’s exciting life.
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