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, 48 kilometers 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. 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 iconoclastic Islamic policies of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb’s. Literally, Nathdwara means ‘Gateway to Shrinathji’. Nathdwara is a significant Vaishnavite shrine pertaining to the Pushti Marg or the Vallabh Sampradaya or the Shuddha Advaita founded by Vallabha Acharya, revered mainly by people of Gujarat and Rajasthan, among others. Vitthal Nathji, son of Vallabhacharya institutionalised the worship of Shrinathji at Nathdwara. Nathdwara town itself is popularly referred to as ‘Shrinathji’, after the presiding deity. Shrinathji Temple The Legend of Location Nathdwara Shrinathji at the autumn Annakuta Festival. Pichvai-style background. late 18th century. Vallabhacharya discovers Shrinathji, at Mount Govardhan 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 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’. Structure and Design of the Temple The temple has been designed in the lines of temple of Nanda Maharaj (Krishna’s father), in Vrindavan. Therefore, it is also known as Nanda Bhavan or Nandalaya (the House of Nanda). Structurally, a kalasha on the sikhara marks the top of the temple, on which seven flags are flown along with the Sudarshana Chakra. The seven flags represent the clothes of the seven sakhis (Companions) of Krishna. The temple is also popularly called Shrinathji ki Haveli (House of Shrinathji)
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) . The Nathdwara temple has subsidiary temples dedicated to deity Madan Mohan and Naveet Priya, located in the main complex. The Image of Shrinathji Shrinathji symbolizes a form of Krishna, when he lifted the Govardhan hill. In the image, the lord is revealed with his left hand raised and the right hand made into a fist resting at the waist, with a large diamond placed beneath the lips. 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. Festivals and Rituals at the Temple 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 the infant Krishna, accordingly, special care is taken. The priests in all Havelis are believed to be from the kul (descendants) of Vallabhacharya, the founder of this deity’s idol at Govardhan hill, near Mathura. The main attractions are the Aartis and the Shringar, i.e. the dressing and beautifying of the idol of Shrinathji, treating it as a living person, adorning it with the appropriate dresses for the time of day or night. The intricately-woven shaneels and silk clothe have original zari and embroidery work on them, along with large quantities of real precious jewellery. The formal prayers are offered with diya, incense sticks, 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. History The Holy Gate 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. Economy and livelihoods in Nathdwara town revolve around the Haveli, the term used for the temple probably because it was situated in a fortified mansion, or Haveli, once a royal palace of the Sesodia Rajput rulers of Mewar. Shrinathji was quite popular with other medieval devotees, as well, as there were Gaudiya preachers who founded Shrinathji temples in present-day Pakistan (Dera Ghazi Khan), earlier a part of undivided India and not far from here. Shrinathji was even worshiped as far away as Russia (in the lower Volga region) and other places on the Central Asian trade routes. Tradition holds that Shrinathji would return to Govardhan some day. This modest temple attracts Krishna devotees from all over the world including various parts of India, but is especially important to the bania people of India. Geography and Transport Nathdwara is located at 24.93°N 73.82°E. It has an average elevation of 585 metres (1919 ft). Located just 48 km north- east of Udaipur in Rajasthan, this town is easily reached by air, road or nearest rail-head. 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. The 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 ‘Pichwai Paintings’, with Krishna in the centre of various raas-lila (pictures depicting godly acts, instances and dances) and is recognized for profuse use of pure gold color. Demographics As of the 2001 India census, Nathdwara had a population of 37,007. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Nathdwara has an average literacy rate of 73.0%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 65%. In Nathdwara, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. Artists of Nathdwara Main article: Nathdwara Painting A painter at work, Nathdwara. Nathdwara Artists are a group of artists working around the precincts of the famous Nathdwara temple in Rajasthan. They are renowned for splendid Rajasthani-style paintings, called “Pichwai Paintings”, belonging to the Mewar School. The paintings revolve around the image of Shrinathji, the enigmatic black- faced figure of Krishna, who is shown holding up Mount Govardhan. Over the centuries, these artists have produced a work of gorgeous illustrations. Several authoritative books have been published on this subject. Apart from Pichwai Paintings, the artists also produce small-scale paintings on paper. Themes from Krishna legend predominate. Mentioned under notable citizens are some of the famous artists who have won accolades/awards in the past.