Nathdwara Shree Nath Ji

The Srinathji temple in Nathdwara is dedicated to Lord Krishna and celebrates the episode in His life when He lifted the Goverdhan Hill. The image of the deity here is believed to have manifested itself.

The Nathdwara Dham (pilgrimage town) is at a distance of 48 km or about an hour of driving time from Udaipur. Nathdwara literally means the Gateway to God. This is a Vaishnav shrine built in the seventeenth century. Devotees frequent this temple around the year and particularly the time of Janmashtami. The temple is believed to have been built at the exact spot defined by the Lord himself.

According to legend, the idol of Srinathji is sculpted out of a single piece of black marble and belongs to the 12th century. It was first installed by Sri Vallabhacharya in a small temple at Jatipura, near Mathura. It was transferred here later to protect it from the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb who wanted to destroy it. When the image reached this spot, the wheel of the bullock cart sank deep in mud and refused to move any further. The accompanying priest realised that this was the Lord's chosen spot. Accordingly the Temple was built here.

There is daily Arti and Shringaar eight times a day and Prasad is offered to those present. Waking up early to get the first Darshan of the day at dawn is an extremely rewarding and spiritually uplifting experience.