Hindus Temple Shreenathji Haveli Pushtimarg Temple is a very famous temple in Rajasthan. Shreenathji is one of Lord Krishna’s avatars. At a distance of 48 kilometers from the lovely city of Udaipur, it is situated along the banks of the Banas River.
If you are taking a tour of Rajasthan’s religious sites, you absolutely must stop by the magnificent temple, which is a well-known destination for pilgrims.
The idol of the deity is dressed in a different outfit each day in the Shringar of the shrine at Nathdwara’s Shrinathji temple. People from all over the world travel to see the idol in its various manifestations.
The stately temple’s history, which dates back to Meera Bai’s reign, is significant to the development of Hindu mythology.
The history of the Shrinathji Temple is intriguing and blends legend and fact to great effect. Its layout is modeled after the Nanda Maharaj Temple in Vrindavan. Thus, it is sometimes referred to as Nanda Bhavan or Nandalaya.
The Holi, Diwali, and Janmashtami festivals draw a large audience to this majestic temple. Additionally well-known is the food feast served at the Shrinathji Temple, which attracts hundreds of tourists each year.
Mythology and History Of Shreenathji Haveli Pushtimarg Temple
At the autumn Annakuta Festival, Nathdwara Shrinathji. Backdrop in the Pichvai fashion. mid-18th century.
Shrinathji is said to manifest himself in his Swarup, or heavenly form. The Lord Krishna deity is said to have manifested itself from stone and emerged from the Govardhan Hills, according to tradition.
In the past, Govardhan Hill, close to Mathura, was where Shrinathji’s picture was initially worshipped.
In order to protect it from Aurangzeb, the Mughal ruler who wanted to keep the illustrious deity with him in Agra, the picture was first moved from Mathura in 1672 CE along the Yamuna river and was kept at Agra for approximately six months.
To shield it from the brutal destruction perpetrated by the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, the image was later transported farther south on a chariot to a more secure location.
When the deity arrived at the location in the village of Sihad or Sinhad, the bullock cart’s wheels became stuck in the mud and were unable to move any farther.
A temple was subsequently erected there under the control and protection of the then-Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar when the accompanying priests realized that the specific location was the Lord’s preferred location.
Shrinathji Temple is also known as Shrinathji’s “Haveli,” or “mansion.” In 1672, Goswami Damodar Das Bairagi constructed the temple.Â
Shrinathji Temple Architecture
The Nanda Maharaj Temple, the residence of Krishna’s foster father Nanda, is similar in style to the Shrinathji Temple’s architecture.
The temple’s pinnacle is topped with seven flags, each of which represents one of the seven Pushtimarg Sampradaya houses.
Shrinathji ki Haveli is the local name for the temple. It has two meanings. First, the magnificent temple’s foundation was formerly a fortified house owned by the Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar.
Second, the deity is known as the Lord is not seen as a deity in this place, but rather as the Head of a household that serves him with love and respect, not only out of obligation.
Similar to an elegant home, the temple grounds include separate storage areas for milk, sweets, flowers, and jewelry in addition to a kitchen, stable, treasury, and living room.
Alongside the main sanctum, it features auxiliary temples inside the complex that are devoted to the gods Madan Mohan and Naveet Priya.
The statue is carved in a black monolith and stands in the iconic pose of hoisting the Govardhan Mountain with one hand over his head and the other resting in a fist on his waist.
Festivals and Customs
During occasions of Janmashtami and other holidays, such as Holi and Diwali, devotees swarm to the shrine in large numbers.
The deity has cared for every day chores including bathing, clothing, eating “bhog” and taking breaks at set intervals, just like a live image would be.
The god is treated with extra care because it is thought that the baby Krishna is the divinity.
The originator of the deity’s image at Govardhan Hill, close to Mathura, Vallabhacharya, is the kul (descendants) of all Havelis’ priests, who are Brahmins serving under their respective Gurus.
Shringar, the seven-times-daily ritual of adorning Shrinathji with new clothes, is one of the festival’s most anticipated events.
This involves treating the deity like a living being and clothing it according to the time of day or night.
Along with copious amounts of genuine precious jewelry, the elaborately woven shaneels and silk material have original zari and embroidered work on them.
In accordance with the requirements of the time and occasion, formal prayers are offered with diya, incense sticks, flowers, fruit, and other offerings, along with local instruments and devotional songs of Shrinathji.
Jhakhi refers to the vision of the deity following the removal of the parda (curtain).
Attack By Holkar and Shrinathji Saves By Maharana
Jaswant Rao Holkar relocated to Mewar in 1802, following Daulat Rao Sindhia’s defeat over him, and made his way towards Nathdwara to rob the city and the shrine.
Goswamiji asked Maharana Bhim Singh for assistance after hearing of Holkar’s march in Nathdwara.
The god was escorted to Udaipur by an escort of Thakurs from Delwara, Kunthwa, Argya, Mohi, and Kothariya sent by Maharana.
On January 29, 1802, Goswamiji arrived in Udaipur with the statues of Vitthal Nath, NavinPriya, and Shrinath.
Thakur Vijay Singh of Kothariya and his soldiers engaged Holkar’s army at Unawas, where they engaged in combat and were killed.
Soon, Holkar’s army arrived in Nathdwara. Before demanding 10 lakh rupees, Holkar’s soldiers ruthlessly pillaged the town.
The price was lowered to the immediate payment of 1 lakh thanks to Seth Balachand’s mediation.
Singhvi Motichand was dispatched to continue the negotiations, but Holkar detained him, smashed the temple’s locks, and stole its riches and artifacts.
Then Holkar’s army marched to Banera after plundering the entire district in addition to the town of Nathdwara.
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