Shri Nathji located in Shri 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 District, 48
kilometres north-east of Udaipur. This town is famous for its temple of Krishna
which houses the idol of Shrinathji, a 14th century, 7-year old
"infant" incarnation of Krishna, is an absolutely beautiful black
marble Deity of Lord Krishna, standing with his hand upraised lifting
Govardhana hill. The idol was originally worshipped at Mathura and was shifted
in the 1672 from Govardhan hill, near Mathura along holy river Yamuna after
being retained at Agra for almost six months, in order to protect it from anti-
Hindu fanatic policies of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb’s. The word Nathdwara is made
up of two terms, one being Nath that means the Lord and the other is Dwara,
which suggests gate. Thus, Nathdwara implies the gate of the lord. Shrinathji
forms an important pilgrimage site for the Vaishnavites. Nathdwara is a
significant Vaishnavite shrine pertaining to the Pushti Marg or the Vallabh
Sampradaya or the Shuddha Advaita founded by Vallabh Acharya, revered mainly by
people of Gujarat and Rajasthan, among others. Vitthal Nathju, son of
Vallabhacharya institutionalised the worship of Shrinathji at Nathdwara.
Nathdwara town itself is popularly referred to as ‘Shrinathji’, after the
presiding deity. Initially, the child Krishna deity was referred to as Devdaman
(The conqueror of Gods – Referring to over-powering of Indra by Krishna in the
lifting of Govardhan hill). Shri Vallabhacharya named him as Gopala and the
place of his worship as ‘Gopalpur’. Later, Vitthal Nathji named the deity as
Shrinathji. Many devotees who visit Nathdwara do service for the Deity, such as
carry wood, cut vegetables, sweep the temple, or make garlands.
Shrinathji
Temple
According
to myths, the Srinathji deity self-manifested from stone and emerged from the
Govardhan Hills. Historically, the idol of Shrinathji was first worshipped at
Govardhan hill, near Mathura. As per the religious myths, the shrine at
Nathdwara was built in the 17th century at the spot as exactly ordained by
Shrinathji himself. The legend is that the idol of the Lord Krishna was being
transferred to a safer place from Vrindaban to protect it from the anti- Hindu,
iconoclastic and barbarian destruction of the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. When the
idol reached the spot at village Sihad or Sinhad, the wheels of bullock cart in
which the idol was being transported sank axle-deep in mud and could not be
moved any farther. The accompanying priests realised that the particular place
was the Lord's chosen spot and accordingly, a temple was built there under the
rule and protection of the then Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar. Shrinathji Temple
is also known as 'Haveli of Shrinathji’ (mansion) because like a regular
household it has a chariot for movement (In fact the original chariot in which
Shrinathji was brought to Singhar), a store room for milk (Doodhghar), a store
room for betel (Paanghar), a store room for sugar and sweetmeats (Mishrighar
and Pedaghar), a store room for flowers (Phoolghar), a functional kitchen
(Rasoighar), a jewellery chamber (Gahnaghar), a treasury (Kharcha bhandaar), a
stable for horses of chariot (Ashvashala), a drawing room (Baithak), a gold and
silver grinding wheel (Chakki). There are several prominent temples around the
world that play homage to Shrinathji.
The Image
of Shrinathji at Nathdwara (The Haveli)
The
icon of Shrinathji is specific as the deity symbolizes that form of Krishna,
when he lifted the Govardhan hill. The striking idol of Shrinathji gets the
major attraction and is actually worth seeing. A glimpse of Lord makes one to
feel the aesthetic world. Shrinathji represents the form of Lord Krishna, when
he raised the Govardhana (a hill). Made out in black stone, the image of the
Lord appears majestic with his left hand raised and the right hand confined in
a fist. The Lords chin is adorned with a dazzling diamond, which is visible
from a distance.
The
idol is carved in Bas-relief out of a monolithic black marble 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 idol of Shrinathji wears exquisitely
worked jewels, some dating back to pre-Mughal period. Shinathji is adorned with
intricately woven shaneels and silk clothe having original zari and embroidery
works. The Nathdwara temple is referred to as the Haveli, term used for the
temple because it was situated in a fortified mansion, or Haveli, once a royal
palace of the sesodiaRajput rulers of Mewar. Accordingly, Shrinathji is
referred to with the honorific Thakurji in local area and customarily the name
Shrinathji is not uttered as a matter of respect and reverence. The religious
tradition holds that Shrinathji would return to Govardhan some day.
Festivals
and Rituals at the Temple
The
Shrinathji temple at Nathdwar celebrates, on an average, three festivals in a
week. As regards to daily routine, the inner sanctum is opened 8 times a day
for the devotees undertake sacred darshan of the deity. Very elaborate and
complex rituals have emerged around the worship of Shrinathji due to confluence
and inter-mixing of cult of Krishna as well as that of Pushti Margi Shri
Vallabhacharya. The main attractions of Shrinathji are the Aartis and the
Shringar, i.e. the dressing and beautifying of the idol of Shrinathji, treating
it as a living child, adorning it with the appropriate dresses commensurate to
the time of day or night. The formal prayers are offered with diya, flowers,
fruit and other offerings, with local instruments and devotional songs of the
Shrinathji, according to the demand of the time and occasion. The view of the
idol after the parda (curtain) is removed is called jhakhi.
The
priests in the Havelis of Shrinathji are believed to be from the kul
(descendants) of Vallabhacharya, the founder of this deity's idol at Govardhan
hill, near Mathura. Presently, Shrinathji is worshiped by priests from this kul
(genealogical descendants) of Vallabh Acharya, in all Havelis around the world,
which have also been established exclusively by them. Devotees throng to the
shrine in large numbers during occasions of Janmashtami and other festivals,
like Holi and Diwali. The deity is treated like a living image, and is attended
with daily normal functions, like bathing, dressing, meals called
"Prasad" and the resting times in regular intervals. Since, the deity
is believed to be a child form of Krishna, special care is taken and attention
is given to the deity.
Daily
ritual of 8 darshans a day
The
gopies of Vraj used to love the Lord so much, they would be at Yashoda’s door
at all hours, finding any excuse to see their beloved Nanda Gopal. Mother
Yashoda was very protective of her darling child. Concerned that with all these
adoring gopies, hanging around her house at all hours of the day, her darling
child will never get any time to rest or play properly with his friends. So she
decided that all those who wish to visit her beloved Bala Gopal, could do so
after he had finished a snack or a meal, and was resting before going out
again.
Taking
this as his cue, MahaPrabhu Shri Vallabhacharyaji decided to open the haveli,
his own version of the Nandalay (House / Palace of Nanda, foster father of Lord
Krshna), at specific times of the day only. The great Acharya set aside eight
times of the day when the doors of the inner sanctum would be left open for the
people to catch a glimpse ("jakhi") of the Lord. Rest of the time,
the Lord was allowed to go out and play with his friends - gpoas and gopies of
Vraj.
The Nathdwara
Town
Nathdwara
town is also famous as the Apollo of Mewar. In the town of Nathdwara,
Shrinathji temple is the centre of attraction, but the town is also famous for
its 'pichhwai' paintings, handmade terracottas, ivory articles and milk-made
sweets. 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 (Linked to Krishna lifting Govardhana Hill) is a major
festival that is celebrated in the temple with full gusto and fervor. Nathdwara
is known for Pichwais (Large paintings on cloth depicting legends from the life
of Lord Krishna ) and Haweli music (devotional music, akin to dhrupad singing
with composition meant for various seasons, festivals and sections of the day).
Nathdwara
has a small, but throbbing township around the temple. Its shopping in the
by-lanes is a great revelation. It is famous for its ‘Pichwari Paintings’, with
Krishna in the centre of various raas-lila (pictures depicting godly acts,
instances and dances) and is recognised for profuse use of pure gold color.
A
steady stream of pilgrims has ensured a plentiful supply of transport and
accommodation at Nathdwara. It is set amid idyllic hills. The temple town is
also connected to nearest rail head Mavli Junction which is 28 km from
Nathdwara. Mavli Jn is located on Udaipur City- Chittaurgarh Section of NWR.
Recently, BG line has been extended from Mavli Jn to Maniana a village located
between Mavli Jn and Nathdwara. However, there is no daily trains on mavli Jn-
Maniana (Nathdwara Road section). The nearest Airport is Maharana Pratap
Airport, Dabok (Udaipur) located at a distance of 56 km via Mavli Jn.
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.
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.
