Nathdwara

Nathdwara
View of Nathdwara city, Rajsamand district, Rajasthan, India
View of Nathdwara city, Rajsamand district, Rajasthan, India
Nickname: 
Shreenathji ki nagri
Nathdwara is located in Rajasthan
Nathdwara
Nathdwara
Location in Rajasthan, India
Nathdwara is located in India
Nathdwara
Nathdwara
Nathdwara (India)
Coordinates: 24°56′N 73°49′E / 24.93°N 73.82°E / 24.93; 73.82
Country India
StateRajasthan
DistrictRajsamand
Elevation
585 m (1,919 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total
42,016
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
313301
ISO 3166 codeRJ-IN
Vehicle registrationRJ-30
Third eye circle, Nathdwara, Rajsamand district, Rajasthan

Nathdwara is a city in the Rajsamand district of the state of Rajasthan, India. It is located in the Aravalli hills,[2] on the banks of the Banas River and is 48 kilometres north-east of Udaipur.[3] Shrinathji, is a swarup of lord Krishna which resembles his 7-year-old "infant"[4] incarnation of Krishna. The deity was originally worshiped at Jatpura, Mathura[5] and was shifted in the year 1672 from Govardhan hill, near Mathura along holy river Yamuna after being retained at Agra for almost six months. Literally, Nathdwara means 'Gateway to Shrinathji (God)'.[6]

Nathdwara is a significant Vaishnavite shrine pertaining to the Pushti Marg or the Vallabh Sampradaya or the Shuddha Advaita founded by Vallabha Acharya, revered mainly by people of Gujarat and Rajasthan,[7] among others. Vitthal Nathji,[8] son of Vallabhacharya institutionalised the worship of Shrinathji at Nathdwara. Today also the Royal king family of Nathdwara belongs to the lineage of vallabhacharya mahaprabhuji. They are called Tilkayat or tikaet of Nathdwara.[9][better source needed]

Daily Eight Darshan opens for devotees as per schedule by temple. Mangala, Shringar, Gwala, Rajbhog, Uthapan, Aarti, And Shayan.

Mobile phones, shocks, and shoes are not allowed. There is locker near the gate you can put your mobile and shoes there. This is free service provided by temple.

All variety of Prasad is very tasteful.

Religion

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Vallabha Sampradaya

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The religion of the town of Nathdwara is centered on the Pushtimarg sect of Vaishnava Hinduism and primarlily the Shrinathji Temple.[10]

Shrinathji Temple

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The shrine at Nathdwara was built in the 17th century at the spot as exactly ordained by Shrinathji himself.[11] The idol of the Lord Krishna was being transferred from Vrindaban to protect it from the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.[6] When the idol reached the spot at village Sihad or Sinhad, the wheels of bullock cart in which the idol was being transported sank axle-deep in mud and could not be moved any further. The accompanying priests realised that the particular place was the Lord's chosen spot and accordingly, a temple was built there under the rule and protection of the then Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar. Shrinathji Temple is also known as 'Haveli of Shrinathji' (mansion).[12]

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The idol of Naveet Priya came to Nathdwara with Shrinathji and is the form of Krishna as a child. Madan Mohan was gifted to Shri Nathji by the wife of Maharana Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar. These two temples are under the same administration as the Shrinathji Temple.[13]

Vithal Nath Temple

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The image of Vithal Nath is the second of the seven svarups of the Pushtimarg sect. Its administration is separate from that of the above temples.[14]

Other

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Other deities worshipped in temples in the town include Khera Mata, Mahadeva, Hanuman, Mataji (in various forms), and Thakurji (non-Vallabhite Vaishnava temples). There is also a small presence of Islam and Jainism.[15]

Geography and Transport

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Nathdwara is located at 24°56′N 73°49′E / 24.93°N 73.82°E / 24.93; 73.82.[16] It has an average elevation of 584 metres (1919 ft). Located just 48 km north-east of Udaipur in Rajasthan, this town is easily reached by air, road or nearest rail-head.

Demographics

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As of the 2001 India census,[17] 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

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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 noted for 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. Several authoritative books have been published on this subject.[18]

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.[19]

Tourism

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Statue of Belief

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Statue of Belief or Vishwas Swaroopam is the tallest statue of the Hindu God Shiva (369 ft.) in the world, that is constructed at Nathdwara in Rajasthan, India. The statue opened on 29 October 2022.[20]

Stay

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All stay option available here. The temple provide stay facility at very reasonable rate. Lots of Dharmashala here to stay. Book your stay option in advance is recommendable.

References

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  1. ^ "Census of India Search details". censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  2. ^ "JSIS.washington.edu". JSIS.washington.edu. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Nathdwara city in Rajasthan". Indiasite. Archived from the original on 13 November 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Shrinathji Temple – Nathdwara | Bhagwat Sewa Blog". Archived from the original on 5 September 2011.
  5. ^ Vaśishṭha, Rādhākr̥Shṇa; Vashistha, R. K. (1995). Art and artists of Rajasthan: a ... – Rādhākr̥shṇa Vaśishṭha. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 9788170172840.
  6. ^ a b Abram, David; (Firm), Rough Guides (2003). Rough guide to India – David Abram. Rough Guides. ISBN 9781843530893.
  7. ^ "Eternal Mewar – Encyclopedia". Eternalmewar.in. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  8. ^ Datta, Amaresh (1987). The Encyclopaedia of Indian ... – Amaresh Datta. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 9788126018031.
  9. ^ "Nathdwara, Temple, Krishna, Rajasthan". Blessingsonthenet.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  10. ^ Jindel, Rajendra (1976). Culture of a Sacred Town: A Sociological Study of Nathdwara. Bombay: Popular Prakashan. p. 17.
  11. ^ "Nathdwara Temple- Shrinathji Temple Nathdwara, Shrinathji Temple Nathdwara Rajasthan, Shrinathji Temple India". Udaipur.org.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  12. ^ Tanvi Trivedi (6 May 2012). "Nathdwara, an abode of Lord Krishnaaa". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 May 2012.
  13. ^ Jindel 1976, p. 24-25.
  14. ^ Jindel 1976, p. 26.
  15. ^ Jindel 1976, p. 14-17.
  16. ^ "Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Nathdwara". Fallingrain.com. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  17. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  18. ^ "Dyed in the colour of Krishna". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 20 June 2004. Archived from the original on 25 August 2004. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  19. ^ "Shri Nathji at Home". Archived from the original on 24 June 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  20. ^ "World's tallest Shiva statue to be inaugurated in Rajasthan". The Economic Times. 27 November 2022.
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Nathdwara travel guide from Wikivoyage

Shrinathji temple