India is a land of different cultures, languages, & religions. Many temples are located in various parts of the country & are thronged with tourist crowds. Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara is one such example. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, one of the revered deities in Hindu religion. He is known to be the glorious eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who came to spread love & life lessons through his teachings in the form of Gita, a sacred book for Hindus. If you are an ardent devotee of Krishna, you won’t miss any chance to visit the famous temple in Nathdwara. However, unlike other temples, where he is shown with Radha, his beloved lover, with a flute, he is worshipped in his infant avatar. To visit this temple, you must know the information we will present in this article.
History & foundation of Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara
When planning for the Nathdwara itinerary, it is impossible to skip the famous Krishna temple, the main attraction here. However, before visiting this holy shrine, one must be familiar with its historical significance & foundation. But first, it is essential to know the meaning behind its name, which signifies ‘Gateway to the Lord’. The temple’s foundation was laid long ago, in 1672 CE, by Goswami priests who were ardent devotees of Lord Krishna & belonged to the Pushtimarg sect.
What does the idol of Shrinathji indicate?
At the entrance of Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara, you will see a beautifully black carved stone statue of Lord Krishna, whose name is Shrinathji. As we have said above, this temple differs from other Krishna temples, where he is shown with his beloved lover, Radha. Here, people worship him in his 7-year-old infant avatar, holding a flute in one hand, & lifting the Govardhan Hill in the other. He did this to save people from the continuous rain & put down the pride of Indra by overpowering his effect.
This famous Krishna temple was built in the 17th century & was brought to Nathdwara to protect it from the reach of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who was on the rampage to destroy Hindu temples. Somehow, it was saved by the custodians of Shrinathji idol, who fled to Agra, & kept the statue for six months. In 1672, the idol was moved to Nathdwara, where the temple was built, chosen by Shrinathji. The temple was constructed by Goswami Damodar Das Bairagi, a disciple of Vallabhacharya, who laid the foundation of the Pushtimarg sect of Vaishnavism.
Festivals celebrated at Nathdwara temple
There are many festivals celebrated at Shrinathji in Nathdwara. During the festive season, the city becomes enlightened with music, dance, colours, & unity among people. The festivals celebrated include:
- Hariyali Amavasya
- Thakurani Trij
- Bagicha ka Utsav
- Janmashtami
- Nand Mahotsav
- Dussehra
- Sharad Poornima
- Prabodhini Ekadashi
- Vasant Panchami
- Dolotsav
- Gulabi Gangaur
- Yamuna Dashami
- Snan Yatra
- Rath Yatra
Sacred food offerings to Krishna devotees
When taking the route to spirituality towards Shrinathji Temple & getting blessings of Lord Krishna, then it cannot go without the sacred food offerings given as prasad to the devotees. It is specially called Nathdwara Prasad. The items include:
- Rajbhog Pudi
- Thor
- Kasturi Paak
- Besan Laddoo
- Mesur Paak
- Mohanthal
- Khaja
- Sagar
- Boondi Ladoo
Other places to explore in Nathdwara besides spiritual visit to Shrinathji Temple
There are other places to make your visit to Nathdwara memorable besides putting your worries to Shrinathji & seeking blessings for your well-being. These are:
- Dwarkadheesh Temple
- Vishwas Swaroopam (Statue of Belief)
- Rakt Talai
- Nand Samand Dam
- Eklingji Temple
- Charbhuja Temple
- Giriraj Parvat
Where to stay in Nathdwara to reach Krishna temple
To visit the famous Krishna temple, you can book your stay at jüSTa Brij Bhoomi Resort, a luxury resort in Nathdwara near the temple. Spread across the 5 acres of built-in eloquent-style palatial space, the resort features 32 spacious, lavishly furnished rooms & a swimming pool where you can enjoy a rejuvenating session. All the rooms here are well-furnished with provision of world class amenities that make it a perfect stay for the tourists. Besides relaxing at the comfy beddings, you can refresh yourself by taking a dip at a swimming pool & can have an amazing view of the lush greenery around.
Witnessing the divine ambience, if you plan for a destination wedding in Nathdwara, then jüSTa Brij Bhoomi Resort comes as an ideal pick as a wedding venue to host your special event & make it memorable. Representing the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan, the resort is featured with a spacious lawn area at 12,000 sq.ft with round table seating style arrangement. Boasting a range of indoor & outdoor wedding venues, it is capacious enough to accommodate weddings of all sizes, ranging from intimate gatherings to lavish affairs.
When it comes to seeking authentic & delicious vegetarian cuisines, there is Naivedyam, one of the best restaurants in Nathdwara, serving various vegetarian dishes, from classic Indian curries to authentic Rajasthani thalis & chaats. The foods are prepared with the freshest & highest quality ingredients, ensuring a memorable dining experience with family or your romantic partner.
Conclusion
Shrinathji Temple is a famous tourist attraction in Nathdwara. It is a unique temple in the city of Rajasthan. In this article, we provide facts about this temple you might need to be aware of. Besides usual visits, this famous holy shrine is thronged with devotees during festive seasons, including Janmashtami. So, plan your spiritual journey to this fantastic divine site that always awaits you to connect with Krishna, the supreme god of love.
