- Vishnu
Shri Nathadwara temple
- Nathdwara,Rajasthan
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Shrinathji Temple is one of the most revered shrines of Lord Krishna. Located at Nathdwara in Rajasmand district, Shrinathji Mandir is easily accessible from anywhere in Rajasthan. Nathdwara is small town that is truly famous for this temple. Nathdwara is set amidst idyllic hills on the left bank of the Banas River. Shrinathji lies at a distance of 48 km from Udaipur, the city of lakes in Rajasthan. Udaipur is well-connected to the major cities of the country by road, rail and air. From Udaipur, one can take regular buses or hire taxis in order to reach Nathdwara. The word Nathdwara is made up of two terms, one being Nath that means the Lord and the other is Dwara, which suggests gate. Thus, Nathdwara implies the gate of the lord. Shrinathji forms an important pilgrimage site for the Vaishnavites. Sri Nathji is an absolutely beautiful black marble Deity of Lord Krishna, standing with His hand upraised lifting Govardhana Hill. The idol of Srinathji, sculpted out of one piece of black marble was installed first at the Jatipura temple at Mathura (UP) by Jagatguru Sri Vallabhacharya. The statue has one of its arms raised, giving an impression of Lord Krishna holding the Govardhan Mountain. The other arm seems to be giving a blessing as well as holding a dance posture. In 1691, Emperor Aurangzeb decided to destroy all the Hindu temples within his territory. This prompted the Maharana of Udaipur to move a particularly sacred statue of Krishna to Mathura under the name of Shri Nath Ji, in order to remove it from Aurangzeb's destructive wrath. However the cart transporting the idol is said to have got stuck in the mud here in a small village namely "Sihad" near famous Lal Baag. Attempts to free it from the mire failed, and it was decided to build a shrine at Shri Nath Ji, since it was here that the divinity himself had chosen to come to rest.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- To pray for cattle and wealth
Shlokas
Achutham Keyshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhajey
Meaning -Oh Lord who cannot be perished, who also has names like Keshava, Rama, Damodara, Narayana, Sridhara, Madhava, Krishna, Ramachandra the beloved of Janaki, let me say your name regularly.
Vasudeva Sutham Devam Kamsa Chanoora Mardhanam Devaki Paramanandham Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum
Meaning -I bow to you O Krishna, the ultimate guru, Devaki and Vasudeva's son, and the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanur.
Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram Hridayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram Mathuraa Dhipate Rakhilam Madhuram
Meaning -Meaning - Sweet are Your lips, sweet is Your face, sweet are Your eyes, sweet is Your smile, sweet is Your heart, sweet is Your gait, O Lord of Mathura, everything about You is sweet.
Alokya Mathur Mukha Madarena Sthanyam Pibantham Saraseeruhaksham Sachinmayam Devam Anantha Roopam Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami
Meaning -I think of this Balamukundan as the one who looks lovingly at his mother's face while taking milk from her, who has eyes similar to the red lotus, who is the embodiment of truth and intelligence and other forms.