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:: N O R T H   I N D I A   >  N A T H D W A R A ::           Brief -     Nathdwara is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site. One of the most celebrated pilgrimage shrines of India, enshrining Krishna as Govardhana Giridhari, it was originally enshrined at the Vraj Bhoomi at Mount Govardhan near Mathura. The name Nathdwara means Gate of the Lord. The image was brought to Mewar, for its protection during the period of the Mughal monarch Aurangazeb. Nathdwara is very closely associated with the Vallabha Sampradaya of Vaishnavism.           History -     The black stone Vishnu image of Shrinathji or Lord Krishna, was brought to Mewar from Mathura in 1669 to protect it from the destructive impulses of the Mughal monarch Aurangazeb. According to legend, when an attempt was later made to move the image, the gateway vehicle, a wagon, sank into the ground up to the axles, indicating that the image preferred to stay where it was. Hence a temple was established here with the permission of the then Rana of Mewar at Nathdwara.           Culture -     A place of Hindu pilgrimage, the most revered 17th century Vaishnavite shrine, is one of the most famous in India. It rivals any of the famous creations of temple architecture ,for its superbly crafted elegance. A marvel in temple architecture, it is certainly the best example of its cultural explosion; but Nathdwara is also proud of its heritage as a pilgrim centre and a centre for the arts, paintings and crafts. The cloth paintings or Pichwais are famous of the painstaking intricate pieces of art.           Climate & Geographical Location -     Nathdwara is very hot and dry in summer and extremely cold in winter. It is situated 48 km north east of Udaipur in Rajasthan, on the banks of the Banas River.           How to Reach -     Nathdwara is well connected by air, rail and road. By air, Maharana Pratap Airport of Udaipur is the nearest and convenient airport to reach Nathdwara and is well connected to Mumbai, Delhi, Rajkot, Aurangabad, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. By rail, Udaipur is the main railhead and has excellent connection with Delhi, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Secunderabad, Agra, Lucknow, Mumbai and Kolkata. By road, Nathdwara is connected via Udaipur, which is on National Highway No 8 to all the major cities of the country. Udaipur connects Delhi to Mumbai via Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur and Ahmedabad.           : T O U R I S T   P L A C E S :           The Srinathji Temple -     A place of Hindu pilgrimage, the most reverred 17th century Vaishnavite shrine, dedicated to Shrinathji or Lord Krishna, is one of the most famous in India. Shrinathji represents the form of Krishna, in which he lifted the Govardhan hill and subdued Indra the king of Devas, who was sending an incessant downpour of rain, causing immense hardship to the cowherds of Gokul. The image of Srinathji is believed to have been a self manifested one. It was originally worshipped in a humble shrine and then moved to a larger temple in its vicinity. Vallabhacharya made arrangements for the worship of this deity and later his son, Vittalesh Goswami, continued this tradition. It is believed that Taj Bibi, a wife of Akbar had visited this temple. Within the temple is a celebrated image of the god Krishna, popularly said to date to the 12th century BC. Foreign tourists are not permitted inside and photography is prohibited.           Rajsamand lake -     Close to Kankroli, is the dam, built by Maharana Raj Singh in 1660 A.D. Many ornamental arches and chhatris adorn the embankment. On the banks of the lake is Nav chowki, a pillared edifice ,which is paved with marble and has beautifully carved arches and chhatris.           Eklingji -     Incised out of sandstone and marble, Eklingji is a little village dotted with temples. Enclosed by high walls, it is a complex of 108 ancient temples, The exquisitely carved Eklingji temple, was built to propagate the blessings of Lord Shiva, the supreme power and the guardian deity of Mewar. This deity was regarded as the virtual ruler by the Maharajas of Mewar and considered themselves to be regents (Dewans) under Eklingji. Temple services performed are elaborate in the Vedic and Tantric styles. Shivratri is an important religious event, when the image of the deity is decked with jewellery, attracting plenitude of visitors.