Shrinathji Temple is a well-known and highly revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna located in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. The temple is considered one of India’s 84 important Vaishnavite shrines. Nathdwara The Shrinathji temple for Lord Krishna is located in Nathdwara, 48 kilometres north of Udaipur. When Lord Shrinathji lifted the ‘Govardhana’ (a hill), he represented a form of Lord Krishna.

Nathdwara means “God’s Gate.” It is India’s most famous pilgrimage. Nathdwara is located on the banks of the Banas River. A beautiful black marble Lord Krishna Deity stands with his hand raised, lifting Govardhana Hill. The idol of Shrinathji was first installed by Jagatguru Sri Vallabhacharya at the Jatipura temple in Mathura (UP).

Story Behind Shrinathji Temple

Shrinathji’s Swarup, or divine form, is said to be self-manifested. According to legend, Lord Krishna manifested himself from stone and emerged from the Govardhan Hills. Historically, Shrinathji’s image was first worshipped on Govardhan hill, near Mathura. The image was initially moved from Mathura to Agra in 1672 CE along the Yamuna River in order to protect it from the Mughal Invader Aurangzeb, who wished to keep the prestigious deity with him in Agra. Following that, the image was transported further south on a chariot to a safer location to protect it from the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb’s barbaric destruction.

When the deity arrived at the village of Sihad or Sinhad, the wheels of the bullock cart in which he was being transported became axle-deep in mud and could no longer be moved. The accompanying priests recognized that the location was the Lord’s choice, and a temple was built there under the rule and protection of the then Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar. Shrinathji Temple is also referred to as the ‘Haveli of Shrinathji’ (mansion). Goswami Damodar Das Bairagi built the temple in 1672.

History of Shrinathji Temple

After being defeated by Daulat Rao Sindhia, Jaswant Rao Holkar moved to Mewar and advanced towards Nathdwara to plunder the town and temple. The news of Holkar’s march had already reached Nathdwara, and Goswamiji requested assistance from Maharana Bhim Singh. The Maharana dispatched an escort of Thakurs from Delwara, Kunthwa, Argya, Mohi, and Kothariya to accompany the deity to Udaipur. On January 29, 1802, Goswamiji arrived in Udaipur with the images of Shrinathji, NavinPriyaJi, and VitthalNathJi.

Thakur Vijay Singh of Kothariya and his men fought against Holkar’s army at Unawas and were killed in the battle. Holkar’s army arrived in Nathdwara quickly. Holkar’s men pillaged the town mercilessly before demanding ten lakh rupees. Seth Balachand’s mediation reduced the amount to an immediate payment of one lakh rupees. Singhvi Motichand was sent to negotiate further, but Holkar arrested him, broke the temple’s locks, and looted the treasure and valuables. Holkar’s army then pillaged not just Nathdwara but the entire district before marching to Banera.

Shrinathji temple in Ghasiyar was later built, and the deity was relocated from Udaipur. The deity was returned to Nathdwara after a few years. Shrinathji Temple in Ghasiyar is still open.

In 1934 an order was issued by the Udaipur King (Darbar), by which, inter alia, it was declared that according to the law of Udaipur, all the property dedicated or presented to or otherwise coming to the Deity Shrinathji was the property of the shrine, that the Tilkayat Maharaj for the time being was merely a custodian, Manager and Trustee of the said property and that the Udaipur Darbar had absolute right to supervise that the 562 property dedicated to the shrine was used for the legitimate purposes of the shrine.

The architecture of Shrinathji Temple

The temple was inspired by Nanda Maharaj’s (Krishna’s father) temple in Vrindavan. As a result, it is also known as Nanda Bhavan or Nandalaya (Nanda’s House).

A kalasha on the shikhara marks the top of the temple, where seven flags and the Sudarshana Chakra are flown. The seven flags represent the seven ‘houses’ of Pushti Marg, also known as Vallabh Sampradaya. The temple is also known as Shrinathji ki Haveli (Srinathji’s House). Because Shrinathji is not seen as an impersonal God in Pushti Marg, worship is not performed in the manner of a temple.

Shrinathji is seen as Thakorji or Lord of the House or Haveli and Sewa (service) is offered rather than worship. Like a regular household, it has a chariot for movement (In fact the original chariot in which Shrinathji was brought to Singhar), a storeroom for milk (Doodhghar), a storeroom for betel (Paanghar), a storeroom for sugar and sweetmeats (Mishrighar and Pedaghar), a storeroom for flowers (Phoolghar), a functional kitchen (Rasoighar), a jewellery chamber (Gahnaghar), a treasury (Kharcha bhandaar), a stable for horses of the chariot (Ashvashala), a drawing room (Baithak), a gold and silver grinding wheel (Chakki).

The Nathdwara temple has subsidiary temples dedicated to the deity Madan Mohanji and Navneet Priyaji, located in the main complex.

Facts about Shrinathji Temple

• Shrinathji Temple is a Hindu temple in Nathdwara dedicated to Shrinathji. Vaishnavas regard it as an important pilgrimage site.
• This temple is very important because it is where the royal kings of Udaipur pray, and the Maharana is known as Shriji among the people.
• There is a significant belief that Lord Krishna himself chose the temple site through his signs.
• Shrinathji’s image is worth seeing and experiencing God’s celestial beauty. The idol depicts two cows, a snake, a lion, two peacocks, and a parrot by the god’s head.
• People from the Vaishnava community flock to this holy pilgrimage in large numbers.
• The temple servants dress in the attire of kings and queens and serve Lord Krishna as the beloved prince.
• On all the doorways, there are large paintings of elephants, horses, maidens, and doorkeepers.
• The priests lavishly dress Shrinathji and feed him the purest and richest foods.
• The water he drinks is also from the Yamuna. Srinathji wears the best dresses and jewellery, which are rarely seen again.
• Janmashtami is the best time to visit the temple because it is one of Krishna’s most beloved festivals. The temple is beautifully decorated, and the entire city is cheerful and upbeat.
• The deity is treated as a living image and is attended to with daily normal functions, like bathing, dressing, meals called bhog, and resting times in regular intervals.
• Timings: 5.30 AM – 6.15 AM, 7.10 AM – 7.35 AM, 11.20 AM – 12.10 PM, 3.40 PM – 4 PM, 5.10 PM – 6 PM

Famous Festivals In Shrinathji Temple

• Krishna Janmashtami – Lord Krishna was born on Ashtami, the eighth day of the Hindu month of Bhadra. The celebrations at the Temple begin early in the morning and continue until late at night.
• Annakutta: Annakutta is a major festival that is celebrated with zeal and fervour in the temple.2500 kilo hill rice is offered to the Lord as part of the celebrations.
• Holi – This festival is celebrated in the month of  Phalgun (Feb – March). During the celebration, people celebrate with colours and also celebrate and enjoy in temples complex.

How to Reach Shrinathji Temple

Udaipur is one of the oldest tourist destinations, with easy access by train, flight, and road. The temple is in the Udaipur town of Nathdwara.

By Air: The nearest airport from Udaipur is Dabok Airport which is 24 km away.

By Rail: On the metre gauge, Western Railways connects Mavli Junction with trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur and Khandwa. Mavli Junction is 38 kilometres away.

By Road: Buses connect Nathdwara to all of Rajasthan’s major tourist destinations.

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