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Nathdwara, means the gate of God. It is the most
renowned pilgrim of India. Nathdwara is located on the banks of Benas river
just 48 kms ahead of Udaipur. Nathdwara is also famous for the Pichhwai
paintings - the most famous Rajasthani art. This art portrays the Lord
Shrinathji & their activities
The town is typical of this region of north India. The stone or brick houses
have thick, whitewashed walls that keep the interior cool in the summer
heat. During the winter months the warmest place is a sunny roof, and a
favourite winter pastime for children is flying kites from the
rooftops.Although Nathadwara may look like other Rajasthani towns.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air - Udaipur, the nearest airport is south at a distance of 48km.
By Train - Udaipur again is the nearest railhead, from where you’ll have to
take a bus or a taxi ride to Nathdwara. However, Nathdwara does have a small
railway station, which is about 13km away from the town. It also has a
railway reservation office about five minute walk away from the Nathji
temple.
By Road - Express buses of the state tourism as well as private companies
ply between Nathdwara and major towns like Ahmedabad, Pushkar, Ajmer, Jaipur
and Delhi. From Udaipur also
WHEN TO GO
The best time to visit Nathdwara is just after the monsoon to the winters.
Periodically from September to March is the ideal time to get most of it.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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Shri Nathji Temple - This temple is the only
major attraction Nathdwara. This 17th century temple house the
original statue of Shrinathji or Lord Krishna. According to history,
the statue was brought to Mewar kingdom for the sake of safety in the
period of Aurangazeb the Moghul monarch. The chariot shipping the
statue was jammed here, and consequently a shrine was established with
the permission of the then Rana of Mewar at Nathdwara.
Darshans or glimpses of Srinathji can be sought 8 times in the day.
individually known as Ashtaya, the 8 darshans are Mangala, Shrungar,
Gwal, Rajbhog, Uthhapan, Bhog, Sandhaya Aarti and Shayan. In each of
them the leelas (divine manifestations) of the Lord are described and
harmonized with His daily routine. Millions of devotees come here
every year, to make there wish and pray to the almighty Lord Krishna.
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Pichhwai Paintings - Nathdwara is also famous
for its Pichhwai paintings, which are very similar in theme to the
thangka paintings of Ladakh and Tibet. Local Brahmin artists produce
fine and intricate paintings on paper and cloth. Literally meaning
‘something at the back’, these are large paintings on cloth portraying
Shri Nathji in various costumes and moods. The Lord is also shown in
the forests surrounded by cows and gopinis (milkmaids). They depict
the events and happenings in the god’s life and are frequently changed
to create different moods depending on the occasion and ritual. Ink
blue clouds and dancing peacocks represent Lord Krishna with his blue
complexion while the cows symbolize the devotees craving for their
Lord. The name pichhwai has been derived from the position of the
painting behind the image of the deity in Vaishnava temples of the
Pushti Marga sect devoted to the childgod Krishna.
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Other Temple Attractions - Nathdwara has several
other temples dedicated to Madana Mohana and Naveet Priya, all located
in the main Shri Nathji temple complex. The former deity was gifted to
the temple by the wife of Maharana Fateh Singh of Udaipur. Naveet
Priya temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, or one who is fond of
butter (naveet means butter and priya means lover). The Banamali
Temple is also a Krishna Temple and is located to the right of the
Shri Nathji Temple, while the Vitthalnath Temple is right opposite the
entrance of the Shri Nathji Temple. The deity of this temple was
previously located at Gokula in Brajbhumi or the land of the Braj.
According to Indian mythology, Lord Krishna had spent his childhood
days here at Gokula.
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Annakuta Festival - The largest is known as
Annakuta, which is simply a continuation of the traditional worship of
the Govardhana Hill as performed by the people of Vrindavan. It takes
place a day before the Diwali, another Indian festival that is
celebrated with much fervour and vigour. A hill is made of 2,500kg of
rice and is offered to the deity of Shri Nathji. and then the temple
gates are closed which are opened only in the evening during the
darshan of the Lord. The looting of the prasada (mainly sweet
offerings to a deity) of rice from the annakuta (the rice hill)
follows. Every single worshipper of the Lord joins in the looting with
much enthusiasm.
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Lal Bagh - The Lag bagh is a beautiful garden
outside the city. There you can find lot of rare plants & trees.
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Handmade Terracottas - Nathdwara is also a
major centre for handmade terracottas. A small place near Nathdwara
called Molela produces this extraordinary folk art. The tradition of
terracotta in this area goes a long way back by about 2,000 years.
Today only about 20 families practice this dying art.
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WHERE TO EAT
There are so many good restaurants in Nathdwara, suitable for all pockets.
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