Review By: Sangeeta Sanjay Chaubal Review Date: 03 Oct 2010
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Shrinathji Temple is one of the renowned shrines of India. People from all over India and abroad visit this place to seek the darshan of Shrinathji. The Shrinathji Temple is located in Nathdwara, Rajasthan and hence Lord Shrinathji is also referred as Shri Nathdwara.
The temple is also referred as the Haveli of Shrinathji, mostly by locals. Lord Shrinathji is the avatar of Lord Krishna.
Nathdwara is easy accessible from Udaipur. Udaipur is say around 48 km from Shrinathji. Hence one can reach Shrinathdwara from Udaipur. The Dabok Airport is around 54 km from Nathdwara. Dabok Airport is the Udaipur Airport.
There are many buses from Udaipur that ply to Nathdwara. It's advisable that you go by the private buses, as the local transport is too crowded.
Other than that it's not advisable to visit Rajasthan during summer season. It's too hot and humid. The climate is very rough and unbearable. Though Shri Nathdwara can be visited throughout the year, just for the climate it's preferable to pay a visit during winters, as winters are pleasant.
Shrinathji is considered to be the second wealthiest temple in India. The first wealthiest temple being Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh. It is said that this temple receives lots of donations and offerings from people all over India and abroad. The temple is said to have food grinders which are made of gold and silver. The temple authorities are said to have around 500 cows and it is said that the milk obtained from these cows is used to make Mahaprasad. The temple complex is huge, with varied sections for Prasad, priests, lodges, main inner sanctum and even a tailor section where special dresses are stitched for Shrinathji.
The inner sanctum of the temple where the idol is kept is not open throughout the day. But it is kept open just for few minutes after regular intervals. The door to the inner sanctum is kept open 8 times a day. But these timings are not fixed for everyday. They are decided every week and the timings keep changing as per the moods of the temple authorities.
But that is one big problem. People, who wish to visit their lord, wait for hours for the darshan. The worst part is that the darshan timings are just for few minutes hence people can't go inside in queue. Hence everyone just rushes in as soon as the door opens. The result is a few minutes of chaos and madness. But as soon as the temple door closes things get back to normal.
Though the doors of the inner sanctum are closed throughout the day other than the darshan timings, still one can visit the other parts of the temple, view its architecture. The temple is like a huge mansion and is intricately carved throughout.
The 8 darshans of Shrinathji are Shrungar, Gwal, Rajbhog, Uthapan, Sandhya Arti, Bhog and Shayan, so for each darshan Lord Shrinathji is dressed up in different attire. This is sort of a daily routine of the temple.
The biggest event of this temple is Janmashtami. This is considered as a festival and devotees visit their lord in huge numbers. The other festivals that are celebrated in the temple are Diwali, Holi and Annakuta. Annakuta is a festival celebrated on the fourth day of Diwali. The festival relates with worshipping the Govardhan Hill.
Try out the Rajasthani Special Tea served in small earthen pots. The tea is very good. Also this place is famous for its Thandai. Rajasthani food is a delicacy and one should definitely enjoy it here in Nathdwara.
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Good: The temple, Beautiful carvings, Accessiblity
Bad: Darshan Chaos
Recommend: Yes
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