ART-0519 Nathdwar: Gateway to the Lord

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Nathdhwar is intimately related to the Pushti Marg tradition. Refer to the Teachers’ Book pages 75, 134, 144 and to the Audio CD, Track 18.

This small town is famous as the home for Shri Nathji, one of the most popular deities of Lord Krishna in India. The name of the town means “Doorway to Nathji”.

Shri Nathji is a beautiful black marble deity of Lord Krishna in his pastime of lifting Govardhana Hill. His eyes glance downward affectionately at his devotees. This deity was originally installed by Vajranabha, the great-grandson of Lord Krishna, over 5000 years ago. Over 500 years ago the deity was found by Madhavendra Puri in some bushes next to Govardhana Hill in Vrindavana, and he began his worship in Vrindavana. Shri Nathji was brought to Nathdwara by Rana Raj Singh of Mewar in the Seventeenth Century.

The temple of Shri Nathji is said to be the second richest in India, after the Balaji temple in Tirupati. Beneath his lips, the Lord wears a large diamond, which is reputedly a gift from the Muslim emperor Akbar.

Architecturally, the temples are simple, like regular houses, but the enthusiasm of the devotees is amongst the greatest in India. Everyday Shri Nathji is offered large quantities of opulent foodstuffs cooked in ghee (clarified butter). The variety and quantity of food offered to the deities is of a very high quality. The maha-prasad, or food that has been offered to the deities, can be easily obtained in stalls outside the temple.

There is a story that Shri Nathji once tore his garment while rushing back to the temple to be back in time for darshan (viewing by visitors). From that day on it has been a custom to blow the conchshell and then wait several minutes before opening the altar doors. In that way Shri Nathji may return leisurely to his temple from wherever he may be sporting.

The holdings of the temple include hundreds of shops and buildings and thousands of acres of land including farms and cow pasture. The temple owns over five hundred cows. One of the cows is called “Shri Nathji’s Cow” and comes from a lineage that has served the deity for generations. The milk from this cow is used only for Shri Nathji to drink. The milk from the other cows is made into various sweets for the deity.

Nathdwara is located 30 miles northeast of Udaipur in Rajasthan, on the right bank of the Banas River.