Situated in the northeast of Udaipur, the Nathdwara temple is one of the most revered and sacred places in Rajasthan. Nathdwara is a small town in Rajasthan and is famous for its 17th-century temple. Dedicated to Lord Shrinathji (Lord Krishna), the Nathdwara temple is a prominent pilgrimage spot for the Hindus.
History of Nathdwara Temple Udaipur
The temple was constructed under the rule of the then Maharana Raj Singh. The Shrinathji image of Lord Krishna honours the 7-year-old child version of Krishna. This avatar is also called Gopala, which was first worshipped by the Vallabhacharya in the Govardhan region of Vrindavan.
Shrinathji’s sculpture, carved out of a black stone, is believed to have been built around the 12th century BC. The stone is said to be self-manifested from the Govardhan Parvat. Lord Krishna lifted it to protect Vrindavan locals from Lord Indra.
The temples have been under the threat of loot and plunder like Sultans and Mughals. Therefore, when Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb invaded Vrindavan, people shifted the temple to another destination. But legends say that during this shift, the cartwheels holding the statue came to a standstill.
Moreover, the priests taking the idol took this Lord’s wish to stay there. Thus, the same spot is where you see Nathdwara Temple or Shrinathji Temple.
Legend of Nathdwara Temple Udaipur
Nathdwara Temple’s legend can be found in the Pushtimarg scriptures of the Vaishnava sect. As per Vallabhacharya, Shrinathji used to visit Mewar with Ajab Kunwari, his young princess, due to the game of Chaupar.
She loved Mewar, and when they went back to Vrindavan, the princess used to be sad. So, Shrinathji promised her to make Mewar his permanent residence someday. Thus, when the cart got stuck and came to a standstill, he believed it was God’s will.
The Architecture of Nathdwara Temple
Yet quite simple from the outside, the Nathdwara temple holds an aesthetic appeal. Therefore, the interiors are divided into different sections. Highly appreciated is the statue of Lord Shrinathji, which is carved out of a large black stone and has images of two cows, a snake, a lion, two peacocks, and a parrot imprinted on it. To have a gala time, it is best advised to visit the Nathdwara temple during the festivals of Janmashtami and Holi.
Timings of Nathdwara Temple Udaipur
You can visit Krishna Temple in Udaipur from 5:00 am to 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The temple is open seven days a week.
How to Reach Nathdwara Temple Udaipur
The temple is in Nathdwara town in Udaipur, which is well-connected to major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Jaipur, etc., via air, rail, and road. Also, public transport is available, like taxis, cabs, auto-rickshaws, and buses to reach the Nathdwara Temple, Udaipur.
Darshan & Aarti Timings Nathdwara Temple
- Mangla/ 05:45am to 06:30am
- Shringar / 07:30am to 08:00am
- Gwal / 09:05am to 09:20am
- Rajbhog / 11:15am to 11:55am
- Uthapan / 03:30 pm to 03:50 pm
- Aarti/04:30 pm to 05:55 pm
- Shayan / 07:00 pm to 07:45 pm
Nathdwara Temple Udaipur Entry Fee
There is no entry fee to visit Nathdwara temple. The devotees can stay there for as long as they want; there are no restrictions. Be sure to leave the temple before it closes at 8:00 p.m.
Address/Location Nathdwara temple
The Nathdwara Temple is situated on the banks of the Banas River in the Aravalli Hills.
Address: Shrinathji Mandir, Nathdwara, Rajasthan – 313 301
Interesting facts about Nathdwara Temple Udaipur
Here are the interesting facts about the Nathdwara Temple Udaipur which will blow your mind:-
- The temple is dedicated to Shrinathji (Lord Krishna’s Avatar).
- It was built in 1672 AD by Goswami priests.
- The temple feeds hundreds of devotees every day.
- During Janmashtami, the temple looks beautiful.
Things to keep in mind while visiting Nathdwara Temple Udaipur
The following are some things to remember when visiting Udaipur:
Drеss Modеstly: When visiting Nathdwara Temple, you should wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Shorts and tank tops shouldn’t be worn because they are too revealing.
Footwеar: When entering temple premises, always remove your footwear. It is recommended that you wear footwear that can be removed easily.
Mobilе Phonеs and Camеras: The atmosphere in a place of worship needs to be peaceful and contextual. Before entering the temple, you must turn off your mobile phone or silence it. In temples, taking photographs may be prohibited, as it can interfere with other people’s spiritual experiences.
Pеrsonal Bеlonging: You should keep an eye on your personal belongings to avoid losing or misplacing them. Avoid carrying large bags or valuablе items.
Pеts: Temples do not allow pets inside their premises, so it’s best to leave them at home.
