Nathdwara

The principal seat of Pushtimarg in Rajasthan, where Shrinathji, the lifter of Govardhan, is served as a divine child.

Nathdwara is the foremost pilgrimage centre of Pushtimarg, the path of grace taught by Shri Vallabhacharya. The deity here, Shrinathji, is the form of Shri Krishna as the lifter of Govardhan, his left hand raised as though holding up the hill. According to Pushtimarg tradition, this form appeared on Govardhan hill in Braj, and Shri Vallabhacharya began his loving service there.

In the seventeenth century, during the reign of Aurangzeb, when temples and deities faced danger, Shrinathji was carried out of Braj for protection. After passing through several places, the chariot reached Mewar, where at the village of Sinhad its wheel sank into the mud and would not move. Taking this as Shrinathji's own wish, his service was established there under the protection of Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar, and the place became known as "Nathdwara", the doorway of Shrinathji.

The temple is called a "haveli", a home, because Shrinathji is served like a cherished child of the household. Through the day several darshans open, such as Mangala, Shringar, Gwal, Rajbhog, Utthapan, Bhog, Sandhya Aarti and Shayan. The painted cloth hung behind the deity is called a "pichhwai"; it is changed according to the season and festival, and the pichhwai painting tradition of Nathdwara is admired worldwide. Janmashtami, Nandotsav, Diwali, Annakut and Holi are the main festivals, and the grand Annakut darshan is especially famous.

Practical note: Nathdwara is in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. The nearest large city is Udaipur, which has an airport and a major railway station. It is a dearly loved pilgrimage for the Vaishnavas of Gujarat.

State

Rajasthan

Nearest City

Udaipur

Main Temples

Shrinathji Haveli

Associated Leela

Shrinathji, Krishna as the lifter of Govardhan