Nathdwara (Shrinathji) - Mecca to Vaishnavs

Nathdwara - literally means door to Shrinathji.

Located approx 50 kms from Udaipur (Rajasthan). Its a small town on banks of Banas river in Aravali mountains which is home to 14th century idol of 7year infant incarnation of Krishna called "SHRINATHJI".  Shrinathji symbolizes form of Krishna when he lifted Govardhan hills with left hand raised and right hand made into a fist resting on the waist with large diamond beneath the lips.

Appearance of Shrinathji : As the story goes. A cow called "Ghumar" would daily climb the sacred "Govardhan" hill 14 miles from Mathura and perform "Dudh Abhishek" to hand coming out of the mountain. The owner once followed the cow to understand the reason why the cow would not provide enough milk to him. This was the first appearance of Shree Krishna in his new form. This idol was worshipped in Vrindavan for 3 centuries. The idol of Shreenathji was moved from Vrindavan in Mathura to protect from anti- Hindu barbarian destruction of Mogul ruler Aurangzeb in 17th century. On the way to Mewar from Govardhan, the wheel of the chariot carrying the idol of Nathji got stuck in the village called Sinhad where the temple was built for Shrinathji and the village is today called as Nathdwara.

The descendants of the Brijwasi who followed the chariot from Mathura still live in Nathdwara. And the original chariot which carried the idol of Nathji from Mathura is still preserved in the temple complex in Nathdwara.

Tilkayat Parampara and its lineage: In this tradition the Vallabh dynasty of Shree Vallabhacharya has been designated as Supreme devine Agni dynasty. Shri Vallabhacharya (one of the five main Acharyas of Hindu Religion) was born to Brahmin family originally from Andhra pradesh in place called Champaranya in M.P at the same time when Shree Krishna appeared on Govardhan hills in Mathura. During his pilgrimage across India, Shreenathji appeared in front of him to reestablish Pushti marg and propogate the pushti kind of devotion. The present Tilkayat of Vallabh Sampradaya - Shri Rakeshji is the seventeenth descendent of the dyanasty. The family is responsible for all rituals and care taking of Shreenathji temple till date.

The Haveli of Shrinathji: The temple complex also called Haveli is a palace. Its called Haveli because like traditional household, it has store rooms for milk (doodhgarh). store room for beetlenuts, store room for flowers, jewellary room, Mishrigarh to store sugar, 4 wells to store ghee, a rasoigarh. The access to certain places are restricted to only selected sewaks to maintain the purity (shuddhi).
It comes alive at dawn at 5am when the first darshan called Mangala is done and is full of hustle, bustle throughout the day with 7- 8 different darshans happening during the day which has its own significance.Each darshan is for 20-30 minutes and then the doors of the temple will be closed.The Haveli is in fill glory during Janmashtami, Holi and Diwali festivals with rituals and festivals performed as it was done centuries ago.

My visit: I boarded the Nathdwara bus from Borivali around 8pm on Saturday. The journey which passes through 3 states,  Maharashtra, Gujarat and concludes in Rajasthan. I got the sleeper seat on upper deck and was quite happy at the thought of spending the night peacefully sleeping in the A/C bus, not knowing that by the time I got down at Nathdwara after 18hours journey, I could barely stand properly for journey was hell of a bumpy ride causing vertigo problems to me and am sure would have caused some serious disorders  from spine dislocation if it had continued for some more time.

Having checked in afternoon in Hotel Gokul Niwas very close to the temple complex, first thing was to have a full meal as next darshan was in late afternoon around 5pm for 30minutes and last one was at 7pm. Nathdwara is famous for its bhojnalay's. Unlimited 12 course meal from Rs 60/- to Rs 125/-
After lunch and quick nap, it was time for Darshan. Here in Nathdwara, the Darshan is little different as compared to other temples as there are 7-8 darshans in a day with idol dressed differently each time which has its own significance. People had already started gathering for the darshan when I reached the temple and as soon as the doors are open, people run to get the first glimpse of the Shrinathji. There are different queues for ladies and gents. Each darshan would last around 30 minutes after which the doors are closed for next darshan and idol of Shrinathji gets a new look. The first glimpse of Shrinathji idol is so mesmerising that devotees and even I have got drop of tear in the eyes attimes. The atmosphere is so electric, so positive, so vibrant.

There are eight darshans in a day, each time the idol is dressed differently and no dress is ever repeated. They say that if the ornaments or vastra is pushed three times by the idol then another pair is kept ready for him. No one is allowed to watch when Shreeji shringar is changed or when Bhog is offered to the idol, Its done by Tilkayat or Mukhyiyaji of the temple. The tradition of making various food offerings in the kitchen, malas which are made from flowers especially grown in nursery around the temple complex and team of tailors preparing vastra of Shrinathji has remained the same as it was done 500 years ago. The last darshan of "Shayan" only happens for six months in Nathdwara and during winters the "Shayan" is done in Vrindavan temple and then it comes back to Nathdwara after six months. I was lucky to get the last darshan of Shayan which will only happen after 6months now.

After the last darshan, its time to roam around in the markets outside the temple, its a small village type atmosphere with small lanes so no car is allowed near the temple complex. The markets are full of stalls selling food items, the famous being the Kand (Suran /Yam) cut in pieces and deep fried, sprinkled with lemon juice and special masala.

Preparing for the Left shake & Right Shake

Left Shake

Right Shake

The other famous item is hot dry fruit sprinkled saffron milk and cannabis (bhang) thandai. Milk is available so abundantly in Nathdwara that glass full of dry fruit milk or thandai would only cost Rs 20/-. My evening was spent hogging on the foods from the stalls and couple of glasses of thandai. My day ended at 8pm for I was too tired from my journey and also I had to get up early for first darshan at 5am.

Next day morning, I was up at 4.30am and after getting fresh, I was again in queue for the first darshan of Shrinathji. At 5am in the morning, the shops are all open and temple is full of devotees.

The opening of temple in the morning is announced by sound of Shankh, tradition followed again for centuries announcing the villagers that its time for the darshan.

After the darshan, It was time for the mint + ginger tea. The taste of the tea here is unique as its made on sigdi with lots of ginger and mint leaves. People flock to the tea stall after the first darshan for hot cup of tea which is served not in cups but "Kullads or small clay pots". They say that first darshan is to be done empty stomach so breakfast and tea is only after the first darshan. The atmosphere at 5am in the morning is something that cannot be described but needs to be experienced first hand.The breakfast is usually poha or gujju Khaman dhoklas and tea, The best part is having them so early in the morning. I could only satisfy myself with couple of plates.

With nothing much to do after my breakfast and first darshan, I decided to get another quick nap before the doors of the temple are open for second darshan which usually happens at 7am. In all there are 4 darshans by mid noon and then 3 in afternoon and evening. I had a tour of 4days and I did all the darshans during my visit.

Nathdwara town is also famous for its pichwai paintings which is done on cloth depicting various moods and shringar of Shrinathji. The artist use different stones and real gold paints to paint.
I have been in interior passage of the town and it would be extremely easy to get lost. The town always gives me strong vibrations gripping me with excitement and extremely nostalgic. Its very very mystic, the entire passage, the people and the aura of the town.

On my journey back home, I decided to travel through Neeta travels as buses are double axle which makes the journey less bumpy and more comfortable even though it cost little more than other bus operators. But remember its better to spend couple of hundred rupees more as compared to getting some disorders caused by spine dislocation due to bumpy bus rides. Lol

As my tour also included a visit to Eklinji temple close to Nathdwara and visit to my kuldevi at Nadol which is 3 hours bus journey in heart of Rajasthan which will be described in my 3part series of Rajasthan tour.

How to Visit Nathdwara: There are bus service available from Mumbai which takes you straight to Nathdwara. Second option is to take train Mumbai - Udaipur which is 3days in week and from Udaipur, you can take bus which are available every 15minutes to Nathdwara. The distance between Udaipur - Nathdwara is approx 50kms.

Other places of Attractions around Nathdwara:

Govardhan parvat as seen from Nathdwara

Parikrama wall being contructed around the parvat

•  LalBaugh Gardens
• Ganesh Tekri which is a Ganesh temple on a hill.
• Gaushala where hundreds of cows are herded and they say there is still a cow from the linage from the times of Shree Krishna.
• The hill surrounding Nathdwara also called Govardhan Parvat. 
• Kakroli which is 50kms from Nathdwara is also important pilgrimage center for Vaishnavs.

SOME PICS TAKEN FROM THE BUS ON THE WAY TO NATHDWARA

Last green patch of Rajasthan after which its all desert

Aravali Mountain Range

Aravali Mountain Range 

Common site in Rajasthan

3 volunteers making the soil more fertile !!!!

Pilgrimage center on the way

This ride is more than roller coaster ride