Nathdwara

Nathdwara
नाथद्वारा
city
Nathdwara
Nathdwara

Location in Rajasthan, India

Coordinates: 24°56′N 73°49′E / 24.93°N 73.82°E / 24.93; 73.82Coordinates: 24°56′N 73°49′E / 24.93°N 73.82°E / 24.93; 73.82
Country  India
State Rajasthan
District Rajsamand
Government
 • Body Nagar Palika
Elevation 585 m (1,919 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 42,016
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 313301
Vehicle registration RJ 30
Website www.nathdwaratemple.org

Nathdwara is a town in India's western state of Rajasthan. It is located in the Aravalli hills,[2] on the banks of the Banas River in Rajsamand District, 48 kilometres north-east of Udaipur.[3] This town is famous for its temple of Krishna which houses the idol of Shrinathji, a 14th-century, 7-year-old "infant"[4] incarnation of Krishna. The idol was originally worshipped at JATIPURAMathura[5] and was shifted in the 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’.[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.[9] Nathdwara town itself is popularly referred to as ‘Shrinathji’, after the presiding deity.[10]

Shrinathji Temple

Main article: Shrinathji Temple

As per the religious beliefs, 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 who, according to sectarian literature, wished to have the deity reside with him in Agra.[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 farther. 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]

Geography and Transport

Nathdwara is located at 24°56′N 73°49′E / 24.93°N 73.82°E / 24.93; 73.82.[13] It has an average elevation of 585 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. A steady stream of pilgrims has ensured a plentiful supply of transport and accommodation at Nathdwara. It is set amid idyllic hills. The temple town is also connected to nearest rail head Mavli Junction which is 28 km from Nathdwara. Mavli Jn is located on Udaipur City- Chittaurgarh Section of NWR. Recently, BG line has been extended from Mavli Jn to Maniana a village located between Mavli Jn and Nathdwara. However, now there is a weekly train on mavli Jn- Maniana (Nathdwara). This train originates from Okha in Gujarat on every Saturday and reaches Nathdwara station at 06.20 hrs on Sunday. The train leaves for Okha same day at 2130 hrs (on Sundays) and travels via Mavli Jn, Chittaurgagh Jn, Neemuch, Ratlam Jn, Vadodara Jn, Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Jamnagar to Okha. The nearest Airport is Maharana Pratap Airport, Dabok (Udaipur) located at a distance of 56 km via Mavli Jn. A number of state transport buses from Gujarat and Rajasthan originates from various locations of Gujarat and Rajasthan for this temple town.

The Town

Nathdwara town is also famous as the Apollo of Mewar. In the town of Nathdwara, Shrinathji temple is the centre of attraction, but the town is also famous for its 'pichhwai' paintings, handmade terracottas, ivory articles and milk-made sweets.[11] During the times of Holi, Diwali and Janmashtmi, people throng in large numbers. Apart from festivals like Holi and Janmashtmi, Annakutta (Linked to Krishna lifting Govardhana Hill) is a major festival that is celebrated in the temple. Nathdwara is known for Pichwais (Large paintings on cloth depicting legends from the life of Lord Krishna ) and Haweli music (devotional music, akin to dhrupad singing with composition meant for various seasons, festivals and sections of the day).[10]

Nathdwara has a small, but throbbing township around the temple. It is famous for its 'Pichhwai Paintings', with Krishna in the centre of various raas-lila (pictures depicting godly acts, instances and dances) and is recognised for profuse use of pure gold color.

Demographics

As of the 2001 India census,[14] 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

Main article: Nathdwara Painting
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.[15]

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.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "Census of India Search details". censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  2. ↑ "JSIS.washington.edu". JSIS.washington.edu. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  3. ↑ "Nathdwara Town Udaipur,Nathdwara Vacation in Udaipur India,Nathdwara Vacation in Rajasthan India". Indiasite.com. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  4. ↑ http://www.bhagwatsewa.com/wpblog/?p=66
  5. ↑ Art and artists of Rajasthan: a ... – Rādhākr̥shṇa Vaśishṭha. Google Books. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  6. 1 2 Rough guide to India – David Abram. Google Books. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  7. ↑ "Eternal Mewar – Encyclopedia". Eternalmewar.in. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  8. ↑ The Encyclopaedia Of Indian ... – Amaresh Datta. Google Books. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  9. ↑ "Nathdwar,Temple, Krishna, Rajasthan". Blessingsonthenet.com. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  10. 1 2 "Google Image Result for http://www.bhagwatsewa.com/wpblog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/shrinathji_3.jpg". Google.co.in. Retrieved 20 November 2011. External link in |title= (help)
  11. 1 2 "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 Krishna".
  13. ↑ "Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Nathdwara". Fallingrain.com. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  14. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  15. ↑ "'Dyed in the colour of Krishna'". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 20 June 2004. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  16. ↑ "Shri Nathji at Home". Retrieved 3 September 2010.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Nathdwara.

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