Nathdwara – A Town That Revolves Around Shrinathji

Nathdwara and Shrinathji are used interchangeably for this small town situated towards the northeast of Udaipur in Rajasthan, on the banks of River Banas. The whole town revolves around the ‘Thakur Ji Ki Haveli’ or what tourists call Nathdwara temple. Dedicated to the Shrinathji Swaroop of Krishna Avatar of Vishnu.

This town re-creates the Braj Bhumi in this town. Is a smaller version of Braj Bhumi – the land that belongs to Krishna and his Krishna Leela.

Shrinathji Avatar of Krishna

The Shrinathji idols and paintings are always seen holding the Govardhan Parvat or the mount Govardhan on the tip of the left-hand little finger with the right hand firmly placed on his waist. This image commemorates the event when Krishna broke Indra’s pride by giving shelter to the people of Braj by lifting the mountain with his left hand. The event gives him the name Govardhan Giridhari – the one who holds the mountain in his hand.

At Nathdwara, Shrinathji is treated as a child and all the activities of the Haveli of Thakurji revolve around the activity of say a 7-year-old child. He is given a treatment – be it for Shringar or for food just like a mother would treat her child. For the people of the town, it is not a temple but the home of Shrinathji. They call it Thakurji ki Haveli and not the temple.

The only sign that shows it is a temple is the Kalasha and Vishnu’s Chakra on top of the house.

Legends of Shrinathji in Nathdwara

The legend goes that in late 17^th CE when Aurangazeb was on his mission to destroy all Hindu Temples. The idol of Shrinathji was taken away from Govardhan near Mathura to Agra and then transported down south. It was at this place that the wheel of the chariot goes stuck. And devotees took it as a sign that Lord Krishna or Lord Shrinathji has chosen to stay at this place. In the meantime, a home or haveli was built for him and his idol was set up there. It continues to be there since then i.e. around 1672 CE. Temple had the patronage of Maharanas of Mewar.

The chariot on which he came to Nathdwara can still be seen on the temple premises. The image of Shrinathji is made of a single slab of black marble.

People believe that he would return to his Braj Bhumi or Govardhan as and when an appropriate temple is ready for him there.

Nathdwara Temple & Rituals

Harsh Pandey Ji, one of the priests at the temple was kind enough to take me around the temple and show me all the parts of the temple, and explained all the daily rituals that take place at the temple. I also met the officials who handle the everyday affairs of the temple.

Pandey Ji explained to me the Pushti Marg and the Kul or lineage of Vallabhacharya who are the caretakers of this temple.

He took me through the various rooms of the Temple like

• Doodhghar – the storage room for milk
• Paanghar – for betel leaves
• Mishrighar – for crystallized sugar
• Pedaghar – for Mithai or Sweetmeats
• Phoolghar – for flowers
• Rasoighar – the kitchen
• Gahnaghar – the jewelry store
• Ashvashala – the horse stable
• Baithak – a commonplace to sit
• Chakki – a gold and a silver, grinding wheel that is still used for preparing temple food.

Nathdwara Shrinathji Darshan

There is 8 darshan that devotees can do at the temple that is in sync with the activities of the Child Shrinathji and 8 meals that are given to him. Since the Krishna here is treated as a living entity rather than just an idol, his daily routine follows getting up, eating, and daily rituals like bathing, getting ready, playing, and sleeping. The 8 darshan or 8 times when devotees get to see him are:

Mangala Darshan

The first Darshan of the Day. The main doors of the temple are not opened for this temple, as the emotion is that of a child who has just woken up. He should neither be tempted to go out nor be overwhelmed by the crowds who come to see him. Shrinathji is dressed as per season – light cotton clothes in summers and warm quilted ones in winters. Arti is performed to ward off the evil spirits of darkness.

Shringar Darshan

An hour after the Mangala Darshan, Shringar of Shrinathji is done when he is adorned with all fine things with a priest holding a mirror so that he can admire himself. He is offered dry fruits and sweets and only after that his favorite flute is handed over to him.

Gwal Darshan

This is the time when Lord Shrinathji is informed that all the cows in his cowshed are well and is offered Makhan Mishri and other milk-based food. This is the time when he is supposed to be playing with his friends.

Rajbhoga Darshan

This is the most elaborate darshan of the day when the baby God is offered the main meal of the day. I was fortunate to visit the temple at the time of Rajbhog darshan. The announcement of this darshan is made from the rooftop with an elaborate sprinkling of perfumes. After this darshan, the Lord retires for the next three hours, and the temple is closed for the devotees.

Uthapana Darshan

In the afternoon the baby Shrinathji is again woken up by the blowing of a conch shell. This darshan indicates the time when the cowherds come back home with their cows.

Bhog Darshan

A light meal is offered for this darshan that is specially meant for Swamini Ji – though in my mind I am not sure if Swamini Ji is Yamuna Ji who is generally depicted with Shrinathji here or is she, Radha Ji.

Arti

This darshan is done around dusk when the cowherd lord would have come home from the woods and the mother does the Arti to ward off any evil eye. A light meal is offered along with the flute so that the lord can entertain himself and those around him.

Shayan

This is the time to retire and it is announced by telling the cook to come early the next day. Paan Beeda is offered along with other foods. This darshan is done for 6 months in a year as it is believed that for the rest of the six months he goes to Vraj or Braj to give darshan to Brajvasis.

At all the darshans, ragas appropriate for that time of the day are played and each darshan has a bhakti poet associated with it. For details see the temple website.

When I looked at the kitchen, I could see tons of local seasonal vegetables that were being cleaned and chopped by the devotees. I was told by Pandey Ji, that only seasonal local vegetables are cooked in the temple for God as well as for the family of priests that take care of him.

Pichhwai Paintings & Other Art Forms

The black Idol of Shrinathji has given rise to a whole school of paintings called Pichhwai paintings that would literally translate to shadow paintings. Sometimes they are also referred to as Nathdwara paintings. As you wander the streets you would see many artists engaged in making paintings using paper, wood, or cloth – the subject is always Shrinathji. The Pichhwai painting style is considered a sub-school of the Mewar school of Miniature Paintings but is distinct for choosing cloth as a medium for painting.

The dominant colors in these paintings are black and gold.

It is said that during the Mughal Empire when idol worship was banned, devotees painted the image on cloth and worshiped it. Over a period of time, it emerged as a prominent art form.

Paintings on the walls of the Nathdwara Temple

I was also enchanted by the colorful paintings on the walls of the temple. Some of which can also be seen on the walls of the streets outside the temple. I visited Nathdwara just before Diwali, the time when all the temple walls are re-painted. I could see the various artists perched at various levels on the temple walls and painting colorful images on the freshly painted white backdrop. This annual routine also reinforces that it is very much a living temple that gets its annual maintenance. I remember asking one of the officials – are there any old paintings and he laughed. Why should we have old paintings when our artists make new ones every year? This made me think – Is this not the best way to preserve both the temple art and the artists who know they would be employed every year?

Outside in the street, I met another artist making 3-dimensional images of the lord in wood.

In the street, I met the artist who writes your name on a rice grain. I thought it would be a tough task but this young man took less than 2 minutes to write my name and I took a few minutes to get its picture right.

Mint or Pudina Chai

In the winding lanes around the Thakurji ki Haveli – you can find stalls selling Pudina Chai in the curiously shaped Kulhads or clay mugs. It is regular Indian Chai flavored with fresh mint leaves. It is one of the most refreshing Chai I have ever had. The freshness of mint just flavors your mouth and can wake you up from your most sleepy state. I am not sure if they use a special mint but the Chai is very special.

You must try Pudina or Fudina Chai here.

Hotels

I stayed at the newly built Justa Hotels property at Nathdwara. It is located within walking distance of the temple. Built-in a typical Mewari architecture on a hill overlooking the Banas River, it provides all the comforts to luxury travelers. What I admired the most about the Justa Hotel is that they serve only vegetarian food in their restaurant. A great relief for vegetarians like me when you do not have to deep dive into the menu to find a vegetarian dish.

Being a pilgrimage town, there is no dearth of hotels – right from Budget lodges to Places like Justa Hotels.

Practical Tips

• You can visit the holy town on a day trip from Udaipur or stay there for 1-2 nights. If you want to see the rituals for a whole day, you need to stay there for at least 2 nights.
• While there you can take a trip to Haldi Ghati & Eklingji. Even Chittorgarh Fort and Bundi are not too far.
• It is a temple town. Respect the sentiment of the people whose lives revolve around the temple. Some rituals may not make any sense to you but they may mean the world to those who believe.
• No photography is allowed on the temple premises. Do not even attempt to take your camera or mobile in the temple.

Recommend you read the below posts on places to visit in Rajasthan.

Temples of Chittorgarh Fort

Chitrashala – Miniature Paintings, Bundi School of Art

Little Gem of Rajasthan – Alwar

Jain Temple at Ranakpur

Kumbhalgarh Fort with an Unwinding Wall