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Nathdwara
lies 48 kms from Udaipur and literally means the gateway to the Lord.
This great Vaishnavite shrine was built in the 17th century on spot
exactly defined by the Lord himself. The legends have it that the image
of the Lord Krishna was being transferred to safer place from Vrindaban
to protect it from the destructive wrath of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
The image when it reached the spot it vehicle the bullock carts wheel
sank axel deep in mud and refused to move further. The accompanying
priest realised that this was lord's chose spot and the image did not
want to travel any further. Accordingly a Temple was built here.
This
is revered temple and place of pilgrim amongst believers. Devotees
throng the shrine in large number during occasions of "Janamashtmi" the
day of Lord's birth and other festivals like Holi. The priests treat if
like a living deity and tend to the lord with daily normal function like
bathing- dressing meals called "prasad" and the resting times in regular
intervals. The main attractions are the Arties and the Shringar. The
formal prayer offered with diya, insentsticks, flowers, fruit and other
offerings with local instruments and devotional songs of the Lord
according to the demand of the time and occasion. The fine intricately
woven shaneels & silk cloth with real original zari and shredded work
done upon them along with tones of real jewellers, which are of antique
value, looks dazzling. The view of the idol after the pardha (curtain)
is removed is a spectacular sight that is simply mesmerizing leading to
a melee (gully) of visitors, crowding divine lord.
The
mystic, spirited aura of India comes alive.
Nathdwara has a small but throbbing
township around the temple. It's shopping in the bye lanes is a great
revelation. It's famous for its 'pichwani' paintings, which Shri Krishna
in the centre and is recognized for profuse use of gold colour.
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