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
Shrinathji is a deity form of Krishna situated in the temple town of Nathdwara near Udaipur in Rajasthan, and is the presiding central deity of the Vaishnava sect known as Pushti Marg or Suddhadvaita, established by Shri Vallabhacharya.
Shrinathji specifically refers to the story in the Bhagavata Purana wherein Krishna lifts Govardhan hill to protect the inhabitants of Vrindavana from a downpour of rain sent by Indra, king of the celestial beings. Krishna in his form of Shri Nathji is also worshipped throughout India by followers of Bhakti Yoga and the Vaishnava traditions, especially within Gujarat. The town of Nathdwara itself is often referred to as “Shrinathji’.
There are 2 hear-say related to Shrinathji i.e.
1) Nathdwara enshrines Shrinathji which was originally enshrined at Govardhana in Vrindavana. According to local tradition, the deity was discovered by Madhavendra Puri in the forests of Govardhan. It is believed that a sage Madhavendra Puri discovered this Gopala deity near its first location at Govardhana in Vrindavana, but known now as Shrinathji. This form of Gopala was later worshiped in Mathura by Vallabhacharya, follower of Vishnu swami of the Rudra sampradaya, who in turn was influenced by the devotional mood of Madhavendra Puri or madhurya. Krishna had appeared to him in a dream and asked him to install the deity of Shrinathji who had been originally installed by Vajranabha, the great grandson of Lord Krishna Himself.
2) The followers of Pushtimarg, the sampradaya (lineage) which now maintains the worship of Shrinathji in Nathdwara, believe that the deity’s arm and face first emerged out of the Govardhan Hill, at which time the local inhabitants (Vrajavasis) and others, including the above mentioned Madhavendra Puri, carried out the worship of the deity’s upraised arm and later, his face. In the Hindu Samvat year 1549, according to Pushtimarg literature, Shrinathji appeared to Shri Vallabhacharya, root guru and founding philosopher of the Pushtimarg (Path of Grace), and requested the Acharya to proceed to the Govardhan Hill to meet him and begin his (Shrinathji’s) worship, beginning the Pushtimarg’s current spiritual stewardship of Shrinathji.
Shrinathji was brought to Mewar, Rajasthan during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, for the sake of protection from widespread destruction of Hindu temples. The chariot carrying the image is said to have become stuck in Mewar while traveling, and hence a temple was established with the permission of the then Rana of Mewar at Nathdwara. According to local worshipers, the Shrinathji deity is believed to have originally self manifested from stone and emerged from the Govardhan Hill. Shrinathji was originally worshipped in a humble shrine and then moved to a larger temple on top of the Govardhan Hill. Vallabhacharya made arrangements for the worship of this deity, and this tradition was continued by his son, Vitthalnathji. It is believed that Taj Bibi, a wife of the Emperor Akbar, had visited this temple. It was during the 17th century that this image was shifted to Rajasthan.
Now since there r 2 stories in air we should follow to whatever is said in our sect by Shri Mahaprabhuji and Aapshri’s lineage (Goswami Balaks).
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. Phone : +91 2953 233066
* 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
thanks
regards
vaidehi