The Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara

A beautiful ancient temple dedicated to the child Shri Krishna is present in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. An experience to relish...

- Srikant K

Located at about 48 Kms from the City of Udaipur, is the famous Shrinathji temple of Nathdwara, built on the banks of the Banas river. The term ‘Nathdwara’ implies ‘Gate of the Lord’. The place is famous for its ‘Pichhwai’ paintings and ivory articles. Lord Shri Krishna is worshipped as ‘Shrinathji’ here.

The structure of this temple is simple, but its aesthetic appeal eternal. The image of Lord Shrinathji brings an experience of celestial beauty. He represents the child form of Lord Sri Krishna, who once lifted the mighty Govardhana Mountains with his little finger and protected the cowherds and innocent people of Vrindavan from the incessant downpour of rain caused by Indra, the king of Devas. The Lord is also worshipped as ‘Govardhana Giridhari’ here.

As per the temple mythology, the idol of Lord Shrinathji was originally enshrined at Mount Govardhana of the ‘Vraja Bhoomi’ in Vrindavan, near Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. In the 17th century A.D, this idol of the Lord was secretly brought by the Rajput Kings to Mewar in Rajasthan to protect it from Aurangazeb, the evil-minded Mughal Emperor. On the way, the chariot carrying the Lord stopped moving and got stuck at Nathdwara. The Goswami priests and Hindu religious leaders of that region considered it as the will of Shrinathji and built a temple there, with the approval of Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar.