Nathdwara

Nathdwara Nathdwara
city
Population  (2001)
• Total	37,007
Website	www.nathdwaratemple.org

Nathdwara is a city in Rajasthan state of western India. It is located in the Aravalli hills[1], on the banks of the Banas River in Rajsamand District, just north of Udaipur. This holy town is famous for its temple of Krishna which houses the Shrinathji, a 12th century "infant" incarnation idol (murti) of Krishna. The idol was moved in the 17th century from Govardhan hill, near Mathura along holy river Yamuna, to protect it from the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's campaign against Hindu worship in his empire.

Shrinathji Temple

Nathdwara Shrinathji at the autumn Annakuta Festival. Pichvai-style background. late 18th century.

Vallabhacharya discovers Shrinathji, at Mount Govardhan

Shri Nathdwara (a pathway to Lord Shri Krishna) lies 48 km from Udaipur and literally means the gateway to the Shrinathji. This great Vaishnavite shrine was built in the 17th century on a spot exactly identified by the Lord himself. The legends have it that the idol of the Lord Krishna was being transferred to a safer place from Vrindaban to protect it from the destructive wrath of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. When the idol reached this spot, the wheels of bullock cart it was traveling in sank axle-deep in mud and refused to move any farther. The accompanying priest realised that this was Lord's chosen spot and the Lord did not want to travel any farther. Accordingly, a Temple was built there. This is a temple and place of pilgrimage amongst its believers.

Devotees throng to the shrine in large numbers during occasions of "Janmashtami", the day of Lord's birth, and other festivals, like Holi and Diwali. The priests treat it like a living deity, and they tend to the Lord with daily normal functions, like bathing, dressing, meals called "Prasad" and the resting times in regular intervals. This deity is believed to be the infant Lord Krishna, and, 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 Lord, treating it as a person, adorning it with the most 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 tonnes of real precious jewels. The formal prayers are offered with diya, incense sticks, flowers, fruit and other offerings, with local instruments and devotional songs of the Lord Shrinathji, according to the demand of the time and occasion. The view of the idol, called jhakhi, after the parda (curtain) is removed, is a spectacular sight, that is simply mesmerizing, leading to a melee (gully) of visitors crowding to have a glimpse (jhakhi) of the divine Lord.

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 Shri 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. Also, devotees prefer to buy specially-made frames of Shri Nath ji, depicting various practices of dressing and rituals of the Lord for prayers at their house, made by local artists, as photographs of the idol are strictly prohibited.

Geography and transport

Nathdwara is located at 24.93°N 73.82°E / 24.93; 73.82. It has an average elevation of 585 metres (1919 ft). Located just 48 km north 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. Set amid idyllic hills, it provides a welcome respite from the scorching heat of Rajasthan.

History

Shri Vallabh Acharya, the founder of Pushti Sect of Vaishnavite, along with the help of Vraj Vasi (people of Vraj), located the Lord Shrinathji on the top of Govardhan hills of Vraj bhoomi. Shri Vallabh and his disciples constructed a huge temple on the Govardhan hill and installed the murti (idol) for Vaishnavs who follow the Pushti-marg. The installation was accompanied by an Annakuta ceremony, a huge feast offered to the Lord.

The Holy Gate

. Today, Shrinathji is worshiped by priests from this kul (genealogical descendants) of Shri Vallabh, in all Havelis around the world, which have also been established exclusively by them. The town is often called Shrinathji, rather than its original name, Nathdwara. During any major Hindu festival, it is common to see enormous crowds packing into the entire town and the temple complex.

Life in this town revolves around the Haveli, the term used for all the temples of the Pushtimarg Vaishnavism. This is probably because this temple was situated in a small fortress, or Haveli, once a royal palace of the Sesodia Rajput rulers of Mewar when it was shifted here from Mathura, to protect it from obvious danger during the time of the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb's campaign against Hindu worship in his empire.

Interestingly, this is one of the most colorful sects within the devotional side of Hinduism, which also happens to be one of the few that does not advocate renunciation for spiritual growth. It is this worldly, practical and realistic view of life that lends itself to the colorfulness of this sect. This modest temple attracts Krishna devotees from all over the world including various parts of India, but is especially important to the Gujarati people of India. A notable majority of the Gujarati community is well-known for their trade and entrepreneurial spirit and leading business tycoons (viz. Ambanis), thereby making it one of the wealthiest temples of India.

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 he will one day return to Govardhan.

There are many dharmashalas as well as hotels to stay in Nathdwara. The dharmashalas are run by the "Mandir Mandal Trust". Main Reservation you can contact direct Temple Board Office : 02953-232482, 230082 Other well-known dharmashalas are following

1. Daya Bhawan – Tel.: 02953-233677
2. Delhi wali – Tel.: 02953-231443
3. New Cottage – Tel.: 02953-233485
4. Dhiraj Dham – Tel.: 02953-233066

# M/s. K.K.Hospitality – Mobile : 9413026791 ( All Hospitality Services and Accommodation Reservation in Nathdwara )

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

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.

Notable Citizens

1. Shri Ghasiram (1869–1931), the town's most famous painter
2. Kundanlal (c.1860-c.1930) studied for three years at the Slade School in London, worked in a style influenced by European art.
3. Mahatma Bhuri Bai "Alakh" was a great pious saint; most of the time she remained in dhyana, bhajana, kirtana, prabhu-smarana, though she was illiterate, but she was elevated and illuminated soul, she had great wisdom, she was the idol of love and knowledge. Her philosophy was complete surrender to God, "chup" means complete silence,the only word which is written in front of her ashram and she was a disciple of the great saint of Mewar Baoji Chatur Singh ji . At Bai's house "Alakh-ashram" in Kumarwada, every Sunday Ramayan-path and sat-sang are organized from her lifetime. She left this mortal world in 1979. Kali-pothi is her very interesting and famous book; it is completely black with the single word "Ram" on its cover. Osho Rajnish also gave great honour to bai for her devotion to God.
4. Sumanji Late Sh. Bhagwan Das Sharma "Suman", poet and Adhikari of Shrinathji Mandir
5. Munimji Late Sh. Sundar Lal Paliwal, famous Munim of Shri Krishna Bhandar, Shrinathji Temple
6. B. G. Sharma, famous miniature painter, was born in Nathdwara on 5 August 1924. The Shri B.G. Sharma Art Gallery is located 50 km away in Udaipur.
7. Dr. Girija Vyas, political leader (Chairperson of National Women Commission)
8. Shri Ragunath ji Paliwal, famous freedom fighter of India, who served the nation for many years
9. Shri Sohan Lal Ji Kothari, Nagarseth, financial backbone of the town
10. Shri Manohar lal Ji kothari, 2 times MLA
11. Dr. C.P. Joshi, eminent politician and current national cabinet member heading national rural development department; recently elected as RCA[Rajasthan Cricket Association] president.

See also

• Shrisudharshannathji

• Krishna as Shrinathji: Rajasthani paintings from Nathdvara, by Amit Ambalal. Publisher: Mapin, 1987.
• The artists of Nathadwara: the practice of painting in Rajasthan, by Tryna Lyons. Indiana University Press, 2004. ISBN 0253344174.

External links

• Official website of Nathdwara Temple
• Nathdwara Temple Informations
• ShriNathji.com
• Nathdwara Temple Information
• Sudarshan Hotel, Nathdwara
• All About Shrinathji & Nathdwara Business Listing
• [2]
• [3]
• Hospitality and Tourism by KK Hospitality
• Shrinathji Nathdwara
• Haldighati, Nathdwara