Sri Nathji and Nathdwara Yatra
Chandan Yatra Das
Sri Nathji and Nathdwara Yatra
Sri Nathji at Nathdwara
Sri Nathji at Nathdwara is a very important Temple less than an hour distance from Udaipur in Rajasthan. Vajranabha, Lord Krishna's great-grandson installed this deity 5000 years ago. The same Deity (known then as Gopal) was worshiped by Madhavendra Puri at Govardhana in Vraja Mandala. Rana Raj Singh of Mewar brought Sri Nathji to Nathdwara around year 1669 AD. The story of how Gopalji was discovered is described in the Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila Chapter 4. Madhavendra Puri once came to Govardhana and after he went around the hill and began preparing for the evening rest near Govinda Kunda, a local cowherd boy visited him with a pot of milk. The beautiful boy made Srila Madhavendra Puri forget his hunger and thirst. Madhavendra Puri asked the boy how he knew he was fasting. The boy replied that He resided in this village and in His village no one fasts.
That night in a dream the boy lead Madhavendra to a bush and explained that He was in the bush and suffered from severe cold, heat, rain and wind. So Madhavendra was thus instructed to find the deity with the help of the local villagers. Gopalaji had been hidden in the bushes and was discovered by Madhavendra Puri. Many people came to the place, named Jatipura (meaning "the home of the Yati or jati - the Sanyasi monk" in reference to Madhavendra Puri), to see and worship Gopalaji. Then a member of the royal family constructed a temple for the deity. After some time, the deity appeared in a dream to Madhavendra Puri and ordered him to go to Jagannatha Puri to get sandalwood (candana), which could be used to cool the deity who was still feeling hot from being in the ground for so many years. So Madhavendra left Jatipura to perform this service.
When Madhavendra arrived in the village of Remuna, which is 12km north of Balasore in Orissa, he stopped at the temple of Gopinatha. Here the priests offer a thick sweet milk preparation (Amritakeli) to the deity. Madhavendra wanted to try some to understand how to prepare it so he could make it to offer to Gopalji. Because of his desire to taste the bhoga that was yet to be offered to the deity, he felt that he was a great offender and left the temple immediately. That night the deity spoke to the temple priest in a dream and explained that He had hidden a cup of kheer behind His dress, and the priest should get it and find Madhavendra Puri to give it to him. The priest than went and found the cup of kheer behind the deity's dress. Taking the cup, the priest went and called out for Madhavendra until he found him. Madhavendra became spiritually ecstatic to receive the prasadam. After that, the deity in Remuna became known as Khira-chora-Gopinatha or Gopinatha who stole the sweet rice.
After this Madhavendra went to Jagannatha Puri and got about eight pounds of sandalwood and some camphor for his deity in Jatipura. On his way back, he again stopped to see Gopinatha at Remuna. That night his deity, Gopalaji, appeared to him in a dream and explained that there was no difference between His body and the body of Gopinatha in Remuna. Therefore, smearing the sandalwood on the body of Gopinatha would be the same as smearing it on the body of Gopalaji and His body would be cooled. So Madhavendra did this every day until all the sandalwood and camphor was finished. A few months later Madhavendra Puri left this world and his Samadhi tomb is located in Remuna a few minutes away from the Khira-cora-Gopinatha temple.
After the disappearance of Madhavendra Puri from this world, the worship of Lord Gopalaji at Jatipura was taken over by Srila Vallabhacarya, who had been initiated in the disciplic succession coming from Sri Vishnuswami. It was during this time that Gopalaji started being called Sri Nathji by the devotees.
As with other deities who were moved from Vrindavana to escape the fanatic Muslim Aurangzeb's destruction of Hindu temples, Lord Sri Nathji was moved to the land of Mewar from Jatipura. The deity was first moved to Agra where the devotees kept Him in secret for six months, and then moved Him further west. As the deity was being moved, He reached the spot at village Sihad or Sinhad, the wheels of bullock cart in which the deity was being transported sank axle-deep in mud and could not be moved any further. The accompanying priests realized 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 Sri Raj Singh. This is the place that later developed into the village of Nathdwara. This Gopalji deity was later termed as Sri Nathji.
In and around Nathdwara there are several very important Temples to worth visiting. Sri Vitthal Nathji, Yamunaji, Sri Madan Mohan Ji, Banamali Ji and Mira Bai Temple are in Nathdwara itself very close to Sri Nathji main Temple. Town of Chittorgarh is about 2 hours from Nathdwara. Here this is very important temple of where celebrated Mira Bai (as mentioned purport of Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.15), a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna worshipped her deities, Giridhar Gopal, as the great lifter of Govardhana Hill. The famous three temples of Sri Seth Sawariya Ji are at short distance from Chittorgarh. Nearby in the city of Udaipur there is famous Sri Jagdish Temple and ISKCON Udaipur. In Kankroli, 18 km north of Nathdwara, there is temple of Lord Dwarkadisha. This deity came from Mathura where He was worshiped thousands of years ago by the great devotee King Ambarisha. Charbhujaji temple is 36km from Kankroli, which has a deity of Lord Krishna in His four-handed form.
Nathdwara is 1 hour drive from Udaipur. Udaipur is the near airport and is well connected with rest of India by rail, bus and air.
Temples in and around Nathdwara:
1. Sri Nathji Temple, Nathdwara
2. Mira Bai Temple, Chittorgarh
3. Sri Sanwaliya Seth Temple (Murti Prakatya Sthal)
4. Sri Sanwaliya Seth Temple at Bhadsoda Gaon (Prachin Mandir)
5. Sri Sanwaliya Seth Temple at Mandaphiya
6. Sri Dwarkadisha Temple at Kankroli Ji
7. Sri Charbhuja ji Temple
8. Sri Rup Narayan ji Temple
9. Sri Jagdish Temple at Udaipur
10. Hare Krishna (ISKCON) Udaipur
11. Sri Eklinga Ji Temple
12. Sri Vitthal Nath Ji Temple
13. Sri Yamuna Ji Temple
14. Sri Madan Mohan Ji Temple
15. Sri Banamali Ji Temple
16. Sri Navneet Priya Ji Temple
17. Sri Nathji Goshala
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1. Sri Nathji Temple
Nathdwara, meaning "Doorway to Nathji" is small town famous as the home of Sri Nathji. It is located 48 km northeast of Udaipur on the bank of the Banas River. Sri Nathji is a beautiful black marble Deity of Lord Krishna, standing with His left hand upraised lifting Govardhana Hill. Sri Nathji is Lord Krishna as He is depicted at the age of seven while He was lifting Govardhana Hill. The stone around the Deity bears several marks: two cows, a snake, a lion, two peacocks, a parrot by the Lord’s head, two sages seated on his right side and a third on his left, and below the sages is another snake. Around the Lord’s neck is a flower garland, resembling a black snake. The Lord wears a large diamond beneath His lips, which is said to have been a gift from the Muslim emperor, Akbar. Architecturally, the temple is simple, but the devotees’ enthusiasm is among the greatest in India. Every day Sri Gopal is offered large quantities of opulent bhoga cooked in ghee. The maha-prasadam is excellent and can be easily purchased at stalls outside the temple.
The pastime how Sri Nathji manifested is mentioned above.
Lord is dressed with cloth wrapped about Him in a stylish and pleasing manner. His dress is changed several times throughout the day. The temple has been designed in the lines of Nanda Maharaj (Krishna’s father) temple, in Vrindavana. Therefore, it is also known as Nanda Bhavan or Nandalaya (the House of Nanda). The temple is also popularly called Sri Nathji ki Haveli (House of Sri Nathji). Sri Nathji is seen as Thakorji or Lord of the House or Haveli and Seva (service) is offered rather than worship.
A Well of Ghee: An important part of seva to Sri Nathji is offering bhoga items for the Lord. In front of the temple early in the morning, one can buy milk, flowers, vegetables, and fruits and bring them into the temple to offer to the Lord. Devotees also make lots of donation. Devotees also offer ghee and grains. Most of the bhoga prepared for the Lord is cooked in pure ghee. Devotees offer ghee in cans of ten, fifteen, or twenty kilos. Sometimes a whole train car full of ghee arrives in Nathdwara. The donor often prefers to stay anonymous. The shipment is simply marked, “From Sri Nathji. To Sri Nathji!” The temple has a literal well of ghee. Cans of ghee are cut open and slightly heated, and the ghee is poured into the well. A pipeline extends from the well to the Deity’s kitchen ghee on tap.
In the grain stockroom, everything is very orderly. All the grains that come in and go out are recorded. And when it goes out it goes only to the kitchen of Sri Nathji. Nothing given is ever resold in the market. It is all used in the service of the Sri Nathji. The temple has many storerooms that pilgrims can see. One room is for keeping the Lord’s clothing and jewels. Another room, just opposite the temple, is called Sri Krishna Bhandar, “Sri Krishna's Storeroom”. It is named after Krishna Dasa, the first manager of the temple. This is the treasury and accounting office (Kharcha bhandaar) and this is where gold, pearls, saffron and expensive clothing are kept. There is a room for flowers (Phoolghar), a tailoring room where clothes are sewn for the Lord, a room for gold and silver pots (Gahnaghar), a store room for milk (Doodhghar), a room where books are on hand, spiritual teaching is given and new publications are put out. There’s a room for vegetables, a room for milk, cream and butter and a room for misri (rock sugar). There is a grinding room for grinding grains. Grinding is still done with a big wooden mill, powered by bulls. Then there is a room where the ingredients for the Lord’s meals are assembled before they are prepared and offered and a room where offered food is kept just before it’s distributed.
Prasadam at Nathdwara: No one goes hungry here in Nathdwara! The prasadam from the Deity is distributed profusely. A portion of the prasadam goes to the sevakas and temple workers, many of whom sell it. Right after the early-morning mangala-arati you will find pujaris standing just outside the temple, holding steel plates bearing clay cups full of different kinds of liquid milk sweets. Later in the morning, pujaris go around to hotels and dharmashalas with covered baskets full of varieties of prasadam to sell to pilgrims. Apart from the pujaris, in the bazaar outside the temple you will find shops where you can buy prasadam and pushcarts selling prasadam.
In Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta we find that the deity Gopala, the same Deity known as Sri Nathji, told Madhavendra Puri, “In My village, no one goes hungry.” Now, here in Nathdwara, where Gopala has come, we see that this is true. Prasadam is available all through the day and in countless varieties different kinds at different times. After the midday raja-bhoga offering one can get a leaf-cup full of tasty vegetables at a minimal price. There are many kinds of chutneys, pickles, fruit salads and a unique raita made with chopped fruit in thin yogurt spiced with mustard seeds. There are big chapatis full of ghee size. You will find rice, dal, curry sauce, fried vegetables and samosas so huge that one is practically enough for a meal. Then there are milk sweets and sweets made with grains and sugar, rich with ghee. You can buy big blocks of laddu, made with grain, ghee and sugar. Some sweets include such costly ingredients as musk and saffron.
Nathdwara is a small town that lives around its Deity. Sri Nathji temple at Nathdwara celebrates on an average, three festivals in a week. The inner sanctum is opens 8 times a day for the devotee’s sacred darshan of the deity. The temple priests are all followers of Sripad Vallabhacarya, who appeared in 1479. His son Sri Vitthalanathji raised the worship of Sri Nathji to a very high standard. The temple is under the management of the main acharya (spiritual leader) of the Vallabha-sampradaya, called the Tilakayata. He is the head of the temple. Once, when Sri Vallabhacarya defeated a large group of impersonalist scholars at Vidyanagar, King Krishnadeva Raya presented him with a gift of many gold coins. Sri Vallabhacarya gave most of these to the local Brahmins and kept only seven. Those seven coins were then made into an ornament for Sri Nathji. The Deity still wears it today.
Main entrance of Sri Nathji Temple at Nathdwara
Main entrance of Sri Nathji Temple at Nathdwara
Sri Nathji
Sri Nathji
Maha Prasadam of Sri Nathji
2. Mira Bai Temple at Chittorgarh
Sri Kumbha Shyam Temple
In the purport of Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 2 chapter 3 verse 15, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada mentions: The celebrated Mira Bai was a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna as the great lifter of Govardhana Hill. Mira Bai was granddaughter of Merta’s Rao Dudaji and daughter of Ratan Singh. Born in 1504 AD at Chokari village of Marta, she was married to Bhojraj, son of Maharana Sangha in 1516, but Bhojraj died after few years of marriage. Widow Mira kept herself busy in Lord Krishna’s devotion. She was influenced by Lord Krishna from her very childhood but after the death of Bhojraj, Lord Krishna became Mira’s life and soul. She wore saffron grabs and passed her time in the company of saints. Mira’s family members and Maharana Vikramaditya, the then ruler of Mewar and brother-in-law of Mira were very antagonized to see her deep devotion for Lord Krishna. They did not approve of it and started annoying Mira by different ways and went to the extent of executing her. In one such famous instance, Maharana Vikramaditya once sent a cup of venomous poison for Mira to drink without her knowledge. Mira, as always, offered this to Lord Krishna and then partook the remnants of Lord as Prasadam. By the causeless mercy and will of Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, the poison turned into amrit (nectar) and did not harm Mira. Maharana Vikramaditya and Mira’s family members who were watching this incident as incognito, were stocked to see that even venomous poison didn’t harm her. After this incident Mira Bai left home and went for the pilgrimage to Sri Vrindavana Dhama and other holy places. Later she took shelter in Sri Dwarka Dhama where she passed away in 1566. Mira Bai’s devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna are popular throughout India and are sung almost in every household.
Sri Kumbha Shyam Temple is situated inside Chittorgarh Fort which is 6 km from Chittorgarh railway station. This Temple was built by Rana Kumbha in 1448 AD. The temple is dedicated to Lord Varaha. The original deities were destroyed during Mughal attacks and now there is a deity of Sri Kumbha Swamy. Mira Temple is situated in the same complex. This temple is the place where Mira used to worship Lord Giridhar Gopal. Town of Chittorgarh is about 2 hours from Nathdwara.
Mira Bai Temple at Chittorgarh
Entrance to Mira Bai Temple at Chittorgarh
Mira Bai Temple at Chittorgarh. On the right is the Sri Kumbha Shyam Temple which originally had the presiding deity of Lord Varaha but was destroyed by the attacks by Mughals, and on the left is the Mira Bai Temple where she worshiped Giridhar Gopal. This is also the actual spot where famous instance happened when Maharana Vikramaditya once sent a cup of venomous poison for Mira to drink without her knowledge. Mira, as always, offered this to Lord Krishna and then partook the remnants of Lord as Prasadam. By the causeless mercy and will of Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, the poison turned into amrit (nectar) and did not harm Mira.
Sri Kumbha Shyam Temple
Current presiding deities at Sri Sri Kumbha Shyam Temple
Mira Bai Temple
Mira Bai Temple
Mira Bai Temple
Mira Bai Temple
Mira Bai Temple
Mira Bai Temple
Chittorgarh Fort
Very close to Mira Bai Temple is the 11th Century old Jain Temple
11th Century old Jain Temple
About 2km from Mira Bai Temple is an ancient Sri Charbhuja Ji Temple in Chittorgarh
Sri Charbhuja Ji at Chittorgarh
3. Sri Sanwaliya Seth Temple (Murti Prakatya Sthala)
The Temple of Sri Sanwaliaji, meaning Dark Krishna, is situated on the Chittorgarh - Udaipur Highway, at the town of Mandaphia, about 40 km from Chittorgarh. The deity also known as Sri Sanwaria Seth. In the year 1840, a milkman named Bholaram Gurjar dreamt of three divine deities buried under the ground in the Chapar village of Bhadsoda-Bagund. When the villagers started digging the place, they found the three deities, exactly as Bholaram saw in his dream. They were the deities of Lord Krishna-all of them beautiful and mesmerizing. One of the deity was taken to Mandaphiya, one to Bhadsoda and the third remain at the very place where it was found. All three locations became temples. When Sri Sanwaliaji were brought to Mandaphiya, at that time Shri Rodulalji Jain (Village head of Mandaphiya) with the help of villagers built a small temple consisting of four walls and shade and placed the deity by performing all the necessary worship. Later on, the three temples of Sanwaliya Ji became renowned and devotees visit them in large numbers every day. Located just 40 km from Chittorgarh - the historic city of valour and devotion - Mandaphiya is now known as Sri Sanwaliya Dhama (The residence of Lord Krishna).
Bhadsoda-Bagund Chouraha Sanwaliyaji (Murti Prakatya Sthal) Temple is situated at Bhadsoda-Bagund Chouraha also known as Murti Prakatya Sthal Mandir, which is the exact spot where the three deities of Sri Sanwaliaji manifested.
Entrance to Sri Sanwaliya Seth Murti Prakatya Sthala Temple
Sri Sanwaliya Seth at Murti Prakatya Sthala Temple
Sri Sanwaliya Seth at Murti Prakatya Sthala Temple
Sri Sanwaliya Seth Murti Prakatya Sthala Temple
Exact spot where the three deities of Sri Sanwaliya Seth manifested to His devotee Bholaram Gurjar
Exact spot where the three deities of Sri Sanwaliya Seth manifested to His devotee Bholaram Gurjar
4. Sri Sanwaliya Seth Temple at Bhadsoda Gaon (Prachin Mandir)
This Temple is situated in Bhadsoda Village, which is only 1.5 km from Sri Sanwaliya Seth Temple (Murti Prakatya Sthala on Udaipur Road. It is an one of the oldest temple of Sanwaliya Seth.
Sri Sanwaliya Seth Temple at Bhadsoda Gaon (Prachin Mandir)
Sri Sanwaliya Seth at Bhadsoda Gaon Temple
Sri Sanwaliya Seth at Bhadsoda Gaon Temple
5. Sri Sanwaliya Seth Temple at Mandaphiya
Mandpiya Sanwaliyaji Temple is situated in Mandpiya village also known as Sanwariyaji. Mandaphiya is 7 km from Bhadsoda Chouraha which is 40 km from Chittorgarh. This is a magnificent temple with beautiful gardens around the temple. Temple is surrounding with high walls and there are beautiful paintings of Lord Krishna’s pastimes all around the temple premises.
Sri Sanwaliya Seth Temple at Mandaphiya
Sri Sanwaliya Seth at Mandaphiya Temple
Sri Sanwaliya Seth Temple at Mandaphiya
6. Sri Dwarkadisha Temple at Kankroli Ji
Sri Dwarkadisha Temple at Kankroli Ji is a very important temple situated 18 km north of Nathdwara. The presiding deity in this temple are Sri Dwarkadisha. Sri Dwarkadisha came from Mathura where He was worshiped thousands of years ago by the great devotee King Ambarisha. Inside the temple there are separate altars for deities: Mathura Nath Ji, Dau Ji (Balarama) and Govardhana Ji. During the Mughal period, frequent invasions on temples, vandalism and arson were very common. The fanatics made the temple deities the first object of their mindless destination. Goswami Shri Girdharji Maharaja therefore fled to Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and took the deity with him. Then Maharana of Udaipur Shri Rajsingh ji requested Shri Girdhar Maharaj and hence the deity was brought to Kankaroli where it was enshrined in a nearby village Asotiya in 1671 AD. When the temple on bank of Rajsamand Lake had been completed, the deity was enshrined there in the temple. Temple is managed by Vallabhacarya sampradaya. The Temple has been built in the Haveli style of Architecture. Dwarkadisha Temple has a very quiet and soothing ambience.
Sri Dwarkadisha Temple at Kankroli Ji
Sri Dwarkadisha at Kankroli Ji
Sri Dwarkadisha came from Mathura where He was worshiped thousands of years ago by the great devotee King Ambarisha. Inside the temple there are separate altars for deities: Mathura Nath Ji, Dau Ji (Balarama) and Govardhana Ji.
7. Sri Charbhuja Ji Temple
Sri Charbhuja Ji is also a very important temple near Nathdwara. Here a deity of Krishna is in His four-handed form (Charbhuja). Pandavas have worshipped this deity before proceeding for their last Yatra to Himalayas. The temple is located in the village Garhbor of Rajsamand district. This village is situated in Aravalli ranges. The village name Garhbor is due to the fort made by Bor Rajput. Fort is called Garh in Hindi. The temple was built in 1444AD. The deity of Shri Charbhuja Ji is 85 centimeters high. The four arms of the deity holds conch, discus, mace and a lotus flowers. Some casts like Rajputs and the Gurjars hold a special reverence for this temple. Rajputs attribute a sword and shield as symbol of Rajput chivalry in every darshan. The temple is made by mirrors, Lime mortars and Marble. The excellent work of the mirror is done in the original temple. The shutters of the inner temple are made of gold while outer shutters are made of silver. Garud ji is installed in the other courtyard. Stone elephants are placed on the both sides of the entrance. Temple is in the open space. The temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims. Then the king Shri Gang Dev got divine instruction in his dream to install the deity to be recovered from water. Then he installed this deity in his garh (fort). To protect this temple about 125 battles have taken place. Many times deity also was submerged in the water for its safety.
A large fair is held in the village on Jhaljhoolni Gyaras every year. Thousands of devotees come here for worship of Lord Charbhuja and get blessings from all over the India. Jhaljhoolni Gyaras (Ekadashi) is the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of the Bhadrapad month (Aug/Sep). This day is specially celebrated in the Charbhuja. Pilgrims come by walking and other means for this day to the village and they get together and take the Lord to the lake nearby for the sacred bath with a grand procession. After that they also perform special pooja of the Lord Charbhuja Ji.
In this area, the four temples of Nathdwara, Kankroli, Charbuja, and Ekalingji represent the four major holy dhamas of India, namely Jagannatha Puri, Dwarka, Badrinatha, and Rameswaram respectively.
Main gate on the highway to go to Sri Charbhuja Ji Temple
Entrance to Sri Charbhuja Ji Temple
Sri Charbhuja Ji
Dedicated pujaris at Sri Charbhuja Ji
Sri Charbhuja Ji Temple
8. Sri Rup Narayan Ji Temple
10 km away from Gadhbor, there is another temple of Vishnu named "Roop Narayan" or "Roopji" located in the village Sevntri. Seventri and Gadhbor is connected by road.
Sri Rup Narayan Ji
9. Sri Jagdish Temple at Udaipur
This famous temple of Lord Sri Krishna is near Udaipur City Palace. Lord here is in four-handed form and is also known as Jagannatha. the temple was originally called the temple of Jagannath Rai but is now called Jagdish Ji. Worship is continuing since 1651 AD. The presiding deities are Lord Jagannatha carved out of single black stone.
Sri Jagdish Temple at Udaipur
Lord Jagdish (also known as Lord Jagannatha) at Jagdish Temple
Lord Jagdish (also known as Lord Jagannatha) at Jagdish Temple
Beautiful lake at Udaipur City Palace
10. Hare Krishna (ISKCON) Udaipur
ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) has centre in Udaipur. Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra are the presiding deities. Address: Plot No 01, Parsva Vihar, Navlok Colony, Navratna Complex, Near Celebration Garden, Bhuwana, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001.
ISKCON Udaipur Temple
Their Lordships Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra at ISKCON Udaipur Temple
ISKCON Udaipur Temple
11. Sri Eklinga Ji Temple
This temple is in the small village of Eklinga ji or Kailashapuri is 22km north of Udaipur and 30 km south of Nathdwara. This impressive, white marble temple dates to 1473 AD. Eklinga ji, Lord Siva, is the presiding deity of the royal family of Udaipur. Eklingaji is known as “Kailashpuri”, the abode of Lord Siva. Inside the temple are silver doors, silver lamps and a silver bull. There is a black marble, four-faced deity of Lord Siva in the temple.
The story of this temple goes back to the time of Bappa Rawal, one of the kings of Mewar who reigned from 714-767. His capital was the huge fort at Chittor, which remained the capital of Mewar until 1567. When he was a boy, Bappa worked as a cowherd. One of his cows would always come back from the fields without any milk, and Bappa was accused of stealing the milk. Feeling hurt by this accusation, Bappa watched out for this cow and discovered what was happening. There was a hermit sitting in deep trance amidst the bushes. The cow would go there and milk would spontaneously drain from its udder onto the area where the sage was sitting to nourish the sage. When Bappa saw this, the sage came out of his trance and was friendly towards him. Bappa would bring him milk every day and the sage educated Bappa with spiritual knowledge from the Shaivite school of thought. His teacher was quite pleased with Bappa's progress and called him the "Regent of Eklinga." To pay his respects to his teacher, Bappa constructed the Eklinga ji Siva temple where he had first met the sage. The temple is open 4.30 to 6.30 am, 10.30 am to 1 pm, and 5.30 to 7 pm.
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 12, chapter 13, verse 16 describes:
nimna-ganam yatha ganga devanam acyuto yatha
vaisnavanam yatha sambhuh purananam idam tatha
“Just as the Ganga is the greatest of all rivers, Lord Acyuta the supreme among deities and Lord Sambhu [Siva] the greatest of Vaisnavas, so Srimad-Bhagavatam is the greatest of all Puranas.”
Lord Siva is the greatest devotee of Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna (vaisnavanam yatha sambhuh). Lord Siva is one of the twelve mahajanas as described in Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 6, chapter 3, verses 20-21:
svayambhur naradah sambhuh kumarah kapilo manuh
prahlado janako bhismo balir vaiyasakir vayam
dvadasaite vijanimo dharmam bhagavatam bhatah
guhyam visuddham durbodham yam jnatvamrtam asnute
“Lord Brahma, Bhagavan Narada, Lord Siva, the four Kumaras, Lord Kapila [the son of Devahuti], Svayambhuva Manu, Prahlada Maharaja, Janaka Maharaja, Grandfather Bhisma, Bali Maharaja, Sukadeva Gosvami and I myself know the real religious principle. My dear servants, this transcendental religious principle, which is known as bhagavata-dharma, or surrender unto the Supreme Lord and love for Him, is uncontaminated by the material modes of nature. It is very confidential and difficult for ordinary human beings to understand, but if by chance one fortunately understands it, he is immediately liberated, and thus he returns home, back to Godhead.”
Entrance to Sri Eklinga ji Temple
Sri Eklinga ji Temple
12. Sri Vitthal Nath Ji Temple
Sri Vitthal Nath Temple is just opposite the entrance of the Sri Nathji temple. This deity used to be located at Gokula in Vraja Mandala.
Sri Vitthal Nath Ji Temple at Nathdwara
13. Sri Yamuna Ji Temple
Sri Yamuna Ji Temple is near Sri Vitthal Nath Temple.
Entrance to Sri Yamuna Ji Temple at Nathdwara
Sri Yamuna Ji
14. Sri Madan Mohan Ji Temple
Sri Madana-Mohan Ji Temple is connected to the main temple of Sri Nathji. Temple has presiding deity of Sri Madana-Mohan Ji.
Sri Madan Mohan Ji Temple at Nathdwara
Sri Madan Mohan Ji at Nathdwara
15. Sri Banamali Ji Temple
Sri Banamali Temple is a Krishna temple located to the right of the main entrance of the Sri Nathji temple.
Sri Banamali Ji Temple at Nathdwara
Sri Banamali Ji Temple at Nathdwara
Next to Sri Banamali Ji Temple there is Meera Bai Temple
16. Sri Navneet Priya Ji Temple
Sri Navneet Priya Ji Temple is connected to the main temple of Sri Nathji. Naveet means "butter" and priya means "dear", so Naveet priya means "one who is fond of butter."
Sri Navneet Priya Ji at Nathdwara
17. Sri Nathji Goshala
Sri Nathji temple owns nice Goshala worth visiting with over 600 cows. One of the cows is called “Sri Nathji’s cow” and she comes from a lineage that has served the Deity for generations. The milk from this cow is offered only to Sri Nathji to drink.
Directions to reach Nathdwara:
Nathdwara is 1 hour drive from Udaipur. Udaipur is the near airport and is well connected with rest of India by rail, bus and air.
Beautiful view of Nathdwara
Sri Khira Chora Gopinatha Temple at Remuna: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16963
ISKCON Udaipur: http://iskconudaipur.com/
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