Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

Nathdwara Shrinathji temple for Lord Krishna is in Nathdwara, 48 Km north of Udaipur.  Lord Shrinathji symbolizes a form of Lord Krishna when he lifted the ‘Govardhana’ (a hill). Devotees render many services for the deity that includes cutting vegetables, sweeping the temples, making garlands and even carrying wood.

Planning to visit Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple? Check out our Pancha Dwarka Tour. Thousands of devotees visit the holy shrines every year.

Nathdwara, means the gate of God. It is the most renowned pilgrimage in India. Nathdwara is on the banks of Banas river. There is a beautiful black marble Deity of Lord Krishna, standing with his hand upraised lifting Govardhana Hill. Jagatguru Sri Vallabhacharya installed the idol of Shrinathji first at the Jatipura temple at Mathura (UP) by.

This temple is of the great importance as the royal kings of Udaipur pray at this temple and the Maharana is famous as the Shriji among the people.

The image of Shrinathji is worth seeing and feeling the celestial beauty of the God. Images of two cows, a snake, a lion, two peacocks and a parrot by the god’s head are there on the idol. People of Vaishnava community come in large numbers to visit this holy pilgrimage.

The servant of these temples wear the clothes of the era of the kings and queens and serve Lord krishna as the beloved prince. Due to this reasons this temple is as ‘Haveli’ which means the big mansions of the wealthy merchants. There are beautiful and large paintings of the elephants, horses, maidens and doorkeepers on all the doorways.

What is the history of Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple?

History of Nathdwara Shrinathji says that during the reign of Aurangzeb, statue of Lord Krishna was moved from Vrindavan 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 were stuck in the mud.

The priest accompanying the image interpreted it to be an indication from the Lord himself.

People understood that the Lord did not want to move any further. Thereafter, they placed the statue  in the Lord Krishna temple, Nathdwara along with proper Vedic rites and tradition. Further, the Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple has three entrances, one (Surajpole) being exclusively for women.

What is the story of Sri Nathji?

One more story about this place is that, Sri Nathji once tore his garment while rushing back to the temple to be on time for darshan. From that day on it has been a custom to blow the conch and then wait several minutes before opening the altar doors. In that way Sri Nathji may return leisurely to his temple from wherever he may be sporting.

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 Power.’ 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.

What is the significance of Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple?

Significance of Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple is that the striking idol of Shrinathji gets the major attraction. Every morning, a veena player plays the veena to awaken Srinathji. Devotees sing classical songs during other jhankis. The preists dress Shrinathji  royally and feed him the purest and richest of foods.

Even the water he drinks comes from the Yamuna. Srinathji wears the best of the dresses/jewellery, which are rarely repeated.

Moreover, the Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple authorities possess approximately 500 cows and with the milk of these cows, they prepare sweets and milk products. Among these cows, there is one cow that that the devotees consider as Shrinathji’s cow. This cow is believed to have come from the lineage, which served the Lord from ages.

What are the timings of Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple?

The timings of Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple are:

Timings	From	To
Open (Morning)	5:30 AM	12:30 PM
Open (Evening)	4 PM	8:30 AM
The Mangla Aarti	5:40 AM	6:20 AM
Shringar Aarti	7:15 AM	17:45 AM
Gwal Aarti	9:15 AM	9:30 AM
Rajbhog Aarti	11:20 AM	12:05 PM
Uthapan Aarti and Bhog	3:40 PM	4:00 PM
Aarti Darshan	5:00 PM	6:15 PM

What are the Poojas and Rituals performed at Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple?

The poojas and rituals performed at Nathdwara Shirnathji Temple are:

Timings
Mangla Darshan
Shringar Darshan
Gval Darshan
Rajbhog Darshan
Uthapan Darshan
Bhog Darshan
Sandhya Aarti Darshan
Shayan Darshan

Mangla Darshan: During this Darshan aarti is offered to lord Shrinathji and it is the first darshan of the day. This darshan takes place before the sunrise.

Shringar Darshan: It is the second darshan of the day. In this Darshan, Shrinathji is dressed and different songs and bhajans are sung by the poets to praise the lord.

Gval Darshan: It is the time when Shrinathji takes cows to the field. During this darshan the priest offers sweets to Shrinathji.

Rajbhog Darshan: It is the fourth darshan of the day and it is the time when the priest serves delicious food to Shrinathji. Along with this he also performs the Darshan aarti.

Uthapan Darshan: This darshan is performed at the afternoon when Shrinathji wakes up from his sleep in the noon.

Bhog Darshan: During this darshan the priest offers fruits and a light meal to Shrinathji.

Sandhya Aarti Darshan: This darshan is performed in the evening and it is the time when Shrinathji bring all cows back to their home.

Shayan Darshan: It is the last darshan of the day when Shrinathji go to sleep at the night.

What are the rules of nathdwara Shirinathji Temple?

There is no entry fee at the Nathdwara Shrinathji temple. Also, there is no VIP Darshan in the temple but there are different sign boards on the temple premises that one should follow. There are also different announcements at periodic interval.

What are the festivals celebrated at Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Nathdwara Shirnathji Temple are:

• Annakutta: Annakutta is a major festival that is celebrated in the temple with full gusto and fervor.  As a part of celebrations 2500 kilo hill rice is offered to the Lord. Then the temple gates are closed. In the evening the gates are opened and people start looting the rice prasad. Diwali is also an important festival here, because it is one day before the Annakutta festival.
• Holi: Huge crowds gather from all over the state and beyond. They use huge quantities of abil, gulal, and kesudo (white and pink powders and an orange dye). The Lord wakes up early – around 5.30 AM. Shri Nathji plays holi with his temple servants at Rajbhog darshan. Polka dots of pink, orange, yellow and red begin to mark the Lord’s spotless white clothes.
• Diwali: One of the major Hindu festivals, it is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over the evil, when Lord Rama defeated Ravana and rescued his wife Sita from his custody. It is predominantly a five-day festival, with a number of customs and rituals followed during each day. People prepare themselves for the festival weeks ahead, by decorating the temple premises. Many devotees visit the temple during special poojas.
• Janmashtami: Janmashtami, is the birthday of lord Krishna. Also, devotees believe that Lord Vishnu incarnated in the form of lord Krishna on the auspicious day of Janmashtami. The historical background of the birth of lord Krishna depicts the significance of this Hindu festival. Lord Krishna was born at midnight on the eighth day of Hindu lunar month, Shravana.

How to reach Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple?

• Air: Nearest airport from Udaipur is Dabok Airport which is 24 km away.
• Rail:  Western Railways connect Mavli Junction on the meter gauge with trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur and Khandwa. Mavli Junction is 38 km.
• Road: Buses connect Nathdwara with all major tourist spots of Rajasthan.

Where to stay near Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple?

There are many facilities for the accommodation and various Dharmashalas.

Shri Damodar Dham: Rampura, Nathdwara, Rajasthan 313301

Dhiraj Dham: Eklingji, Nathdwara, Rajasthan 313301

Agrawal Cottage: Rampura, Nathdwara, Rajasthan

Besides there are many other Dharmashalas and hotels such as Bombaywala Dharam shala, Basanti Lal Dharmshala, Bhartiya Guest House, Bombay Cottage, Mandir Mandal, Champa Shambhu Lal Dharmshala, Delwara Wali Dharmshala, Dheeraj Dham, Hotel Hari Darshan, Gopal Niwas Hotel, Ganga Jamuna Hotel, Hotel Jay Shree, Kothari Atithishala, Hotel Krishna Darshan, Krishna Guest House, Khadayata Atithi Bhawan and many more.

Where to eat near Nathdwara Shirnathji Temple?

Roadside food stalls are famous for their yummy, scrumptious and delicious on-the-street food where one can eat near Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple. One can also find both vegetarian or non vegetarian food. Moreover, the thandai and the khaman are the specialties here.

• Neelam Dining Hall: Near Bank of Baroda, Gandhi Road, Nathdwara, Rajasthan 313301
• Maharaja Dining Hall: Eklingji, Nathdwara, Rajasthan 313301
• Hotel Shrinath Inn:  Near Private Bus Stand, NH-8, Nathdwara, Rajasthan 313301
• Hotel Vaikunth:  Tehsil Link Road, Kankroli, Nathdwara, Rajasthan 313301
• Shri Gopal Krishan Dining Hall: Under Moti Mahal Tower, Nathdwara Ho, Nathdwara

What are some temples near Nathdwara Shrinathji Temple?

Some temples near Naathdwara Shirnathji Temple are:

Dwarkadheesh Temple: Dwarkadhish Temple is one of the prominent tourist attractions of Nathdwara  in the Kankroli Village. This temple is also famous as ‘Kankroli Temple’. Hindu deity Krishna is the sole deity of this beautiful temple. Here the red stone idol of the deity is praise with full devotion and dedication. Dwarkadhish Temple is at the shore of Rajsamand Lake. Nearby Nav Chauki Dam (Kankroli Dam) is also a great place for bird watching.

Charbhuja Temple: Shri Charbhuja temple exists near the Gomti river since 1444 A.D. Temple is also famous for its architecture with magnificent mirror work inside the temple. White marble, lime mortar and mirror is the construction material for this temple. Charbhuja Temple organises a fair every year on Jhaljhoolni Gyaras. It falls on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrapad i.e. during the months of August-September.

Vitthalnathji: Shri Vitthalnathji was found in the Ganges river by and ascetic who presented Him to Shri Vallabhacharya. Shri Vitthalnathji is a small golden Svarupa and His hands rest on his hips. One Svamini also joins him. She always resides on His left. Moreover, Shri Gusainji explains their divine nature.

MadanMohanji Temple at Nathdwara: Shri Madan Mohan, a small golden colored form of shri Krishna playing the flute is accompanied by his Svamini, (Shri Radha). Shri Madan Mohan appeared during the course of a soma sacrifice that Shri Yajnar narayan Bhatt, Shri Vallabhacharya’s great, great, great-grandfather performed. Madan Mohan currently resided in Kama Rajasthan. Shri Gusainji explains his form and lila. Many visitors and devotees visit this place and this temple is crowded at special occassions.