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General
Information
Location:
48-km From Udaipur,
Rajasthan
Tourist Attractions:
Srinathji Temple.
Best Time To Visit: September-February
Nathdwara is
a popular Hindu pilgrimage site. This is one of the most celebrated
pilgrimage shrines of India, enshrining Krishna as Govardhana
Giridhari. Nathdwara is situated 48-km northeast 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.The
name Nathdwara means 'Gate of the Lord'. The image was brought to
Mewar, for the sake of protection during the period of Aurangazeb,
the Mughal monarch.
The chariot carrying the image is said to have gotten stuck here,
and hence a temple was established with the permission of the then
Rana of Mewar, at Nathdwara. Nathdwara is very closely associated
with the Vallabha Sampradaya of Vaishnavism. Prior to his visiting
the Shrinathji shrine, Vallabhacharya is said to have described Puri,
Pandharpur, Srirangam and Tirupati as four great centres of
Vaishnavism, in his work 'Tatvartha Deepa Nibhandha'.The town is an
agricultural market and has a government college affiliated with the
University of Rajasthan.
PRIME
ATTRACTIONS
TEMPLES
The Srinathji Temple: Shrinathji
represents the form of Krishna, in which he lifted the Govardhana
Hill and subdued Indra, the king of Devas who was sending an
incessant downpour of rain, causing immense hardship to the cowherds
of Gokul. The image of Srinathji is believed to have been a self
manifested one. It was originally worshipped in a humble shrine and
then moved to a larger temple in its vicinity. Vallabhacharya made
arrangements for the worship of this deity and this tradition was
continued by his son, Vitthalesh Goswami.
It is believed that Taj Bibi, a wife of Akbar had visited this
temple. It was during the 17th century that this image was shifted
to Rajasthan. Nathdwara is a place of Hindu pilgrimage; it contains
a 17th-century Vaishnavite shrine that is one of the most famous in
India. Within the temple is a celebrated image of Lord Krishna,
popularly said to date to the 12th century BC.
EXCURSIONS
LAKES
Rajsamand Lake (66-km): Close to
Kankroli, is the dam, built by Maharana Raj Singh in 1660 AD. Many
ornamental arches and 'chhatris' adorn the embankment.
OTHERS
Nav Chowki: On the banks of the
lake is this pillared edifice, which is paved with marble and has
beautifully carved arches and 'chhatris'.
HOW
TO GET THERE
Air:
Dabok Airport in Udaipur is the nearest airport from where taxis and
buses can be hired.
Rail: Mavli rail junction is the
closest to Nathdwara.
Road: Nathdwara is well
connected by road with Udaipur.
PLACES
TO STAY
RTDC's Hotel
and certain other good hotels are available for accommodation in
Nathdwara.
SHOPPING
Nathdwara
abounds in souvenir shops and it is also possible to see the pichwai
being painted. One can even pick up good silver items from here
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