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GATE OF THE LORD
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.
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.
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'.
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.
RTDC's Hotel and certain other good hotels are available for accommodation in Nathdwara.
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
Udaipur: 48-km
Nagda: 68-km (approx.)
Ranakpur: 108-km (approx.)
Rajsamand: 113-km (approx.)
| Population : | 30,855 | |||
| Clothing : | Summer | Winter | ||
| Light Tropical | Light Woollen | |||
| Climate : | Summer | Winter | ||
| Max. | Min. | Max. | Min. | |
| 38.3°C | 28.8°C | 28.3°C | 11.6°C | |