Nathdwara

Nathdwara is a town in India's western state of Rajasthan. It is located in the Aravalli hills,[2] on the banks of the Banas River in Rajsamand District, 48 kilometres north-east of Udaipur.[3] This town is famous for its temple of Krishna which houses the deity of Shrinathji, a 14th-century, 7-year-old "infant"[4] incarnation of Krishna. The deity was originally worshiped at Mathura[5] and was shifted in the 1672 from Govardhan hill, near Mathura along holy river Yamuna after being retained at Agra for almost six months. Literally, Nathdwara means ‘Gateway to Shrinathji (God)’.[6] Nathdwara is a significant Vaishnavite shrine pertaining to the Pushti Marg or the Vallabh Sampradaya or the Shuddha Advaita founded by Vallabha Acharya, revered mainly by people of Gujarat and Rajasthan,[7] among others. Vitthal Nathji,[8] son of Vallabhacharya institutionalised the worship of Shrinathji at Nathdwara.[9]

Nathdwara
Town
Nathdwara
Location in Rajasthan, India
Nathdwara
Nathdwara (India)
Coordinates: 24.93°N 73.82°E / 24.93; 73.82
Country India
StateRajasthan
DistrictRajsamand
Government
 • BodyC.P. Joshi MLA
Elevation
585 m (1,919 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total42,016
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
313301
ISO 3166 codeRJ-IN
Vehicle registrationRJ 30
Third eye circle, Nathdwara

Shrinathji Temple
Main article: Shrinathji Temple

The shrine at Nathdwara was built in the 17th century at the spot as exactly ordained by Shrinathji himself.[10] The idol of the Lord Krishna was being transferred from Vrindaban to protect it from the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.[6] When the idol reached the spot at village Sihad or Sinhad, the wheels of bullock cart in which the idol was being transported sank axle-deep in mud and could not be moved any farther. The accompanying priests realised that the particular place was the Lord's chosen spot and accordingly, a temple was built there under the rule and protection of the then Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar. Shrinathji Temple is also known as 'Haveli of Shrinathji’ (mansion).[11]

Geography and Transport

Nathdwara is located at 24.93°N 73.82°E / 24.93; 73.82.[12] It has an average elevation of 584 metres (1919 ft). Located just 48 km north-east of Udaipur in Rajasthan, this town is easily reached by air, road or nearest rail-head.

Demographics

As of the 2001 India census,[13] Nathdwara had a population of 37,007. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Nathdwara has an average literacy rate of 73.0%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 65%. In Nathdwara, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Artists of Nathdwara
A painter at work, Nathdwara.

Nathdwara Artists are a group of artists working around the precincts of the famous Nathdwara temple in Rajasthan. They are noted for Rajasthani-style paintings, called "Pichwai Paintings", belonging to the Mewar School. The paintings revolve around the image of Shrinathji, the enigmatic black-faced figure of Krishna, who is shown holding up Mount Govardhan. Several authoritative books have been published on this subject.[14]

Apart from Pichwai Paintings, the artists also produce small-scale paintings on paper. Themes from Krishna legend predominate. Mentioned under notable citizens are some of the famous artists who have won accolades/awards in the past.[15]

References
  1. "Census of India Search details". censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  2. "JSIS.washington.edu". JSIS.washington.edu. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  3. "Nathdwara Town Udaipur, Nathdwara Vacation in Udaipur India, Nathdwara Vacation in Rajasthan India". Indiasite.com. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  4. http://www.bhagwatsewa.com/wpblog/?p=66
  5. Art and artists of Rajasthan: a ... – Rādhākr̥shṇa Vaśishṭha. Google Books. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  6. Rough guide to India – David Abram. Google Books. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  7. "Eternal Mewar – Encyclopedia". Eternalmewar.in. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  8. The Encyclopaedia Of Indian ... – Amaresh Datta. Google Books. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  9. "Nathdwar, Temple, Krishna, Rajasthan". Blessingsonthenet.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  10. "Nathdwara Temple- Shrinathji Temple Nathdwara, Shrinathji Temple Nathdwara Rajasthan, Shrinathji Temple India". Udaipur.org.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  11. Tanvi Trivedi (6 May 2012). "Nathdwara, an abode of Lord Krishnaaa".
  12. "Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Nathdwara". Fallingrain.com. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  13. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  14. "'Dyed in the colour of Krishna'". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 20 June 2004. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  15. "Shri Nathji at Home". Archived from the original on 24 June 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010.

Nathdwara travel guide from Wikivoyage

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