Popular Temple
Shrinathji Temple, Nathdwara
Nathdwara, Rajsamand, Rajasthan
The principal seat of the Pushtimarg tradition, where Shrinathji is served eight times a day
At a glance
- Location
- Nathdwara, Rajsamand, Rajasthan
- Presiding deity
- Shrinathji (Krishna as a seven-year-old)
- Temple type
- Popular Temple
- Tradition
- Vaishnava
- Nearest railway station
- Mavli Junction (~30 km); Udaipur City (~48 km)
- Nearest airport
- Maharana Pratap Airport, Udaipur (~60 km)
- Best time to visit
- October to March. Janmashtami, Annakut (Govardhan Puja) and Holi draw very heavy crowds.
History
The image of Shrinathji was originally enshrined on Govardhan hill in Braj. In the late 17th century, during Mughal rule, it was moved away from Braj for safety and installed at the present site under the protection of Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar; the town has been called Nathdwara, "the gate of the Lord", ever since. The temple is the principal centre of the Pushtimarg sampradaya founded by Vallabhacharya.
Spiritual significance
Worship here is framed as seva rather than ritual offering: there are eight darshans through the day (Mangala, Shringar, Gwal, Rajbhog, Utthapan, Bhog, Sandhya Aarti and Shayan), with clothing, ornament and food changing by season. The painted cloth hangings known as pichhwai grew out of this tradition.
Plan your visit
Darshan timings
Darshan is given in eight fixed viewings through the day, each open only briefly, with the doors closed in between. The schedule shifts with the season, so check the temple's official notice before travelling.
Timings change on festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple's official source before you travel.
Nathdwara is on the Udaipur-Ajmer highway, about an hour and a half from Udaipur by bus or taxi. Mobile phones and cameras are not permitted inside the temple complex.
Continue your Krishna bhakti
Devotional texts for this deity, already on the site.