Shrinathji Temple

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History Of Temple

The Shrinathji temple, Nathdwara is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is located in Nathdwara, approximately 48km to the north of Udaipur. The Nathdwara Shrinathji temple of Rajasthan houses a statue of Lord Krishna, sculpted from a single piece of black marble. The statue has one of its arms raised, giving an impression of Lord Krishna holding the Govardhan Mountain. The other arm seems to be giving a blessing as well as holding a dance posture.

The legend has it that during the reign of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the statue of Lord Krishna was moved from Vrindaban to enshrine it at a safe place. However, when the vehicle carrying the statue passed through the particular spot where the temple now is, its wheels got stuck in the mud. The priest accompanying the image interpreted it to be an indication from the Lord himself. It was comprehended that the Lord did not wanted to move any further. Thereafter, the statue was placed in the Lord Krishna temple, Nathdwara along with proper Vedic rites and tradition. The temple has three entrances, one (Surajpol) being exclusively for women. The temple priests daily change the clothes and ornaments of Shrinathji

Sri Nathji is the Deity of Krishna, Lord of the Universe. The Lords left hand is upraised. His right hand closed in a fist, rests on his hip. Sri Nathji is a very special and beautiful Deity. The servitors of Sri Nathji say that the Deity is the original form of Sri Krishna, known as Nikunja Nayaka, "the Lord of the Celestial Bower." Since this form of Lord Krishna includes all others, his devotees see him both as Sri Radhanathji (the Lord of Radha) and as child Krishna. The Deity is, therefore, sometimes entertained with childish toys like spinning tops and silver animals and sometimes offered a herding stick meant for a cowherd boy

Western India