JAI SHREE KRISHNA

The Shrinathji temple, Nathdwara is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is located in Nathdwara, approximately 48km to the north of Udaipur. The Nathdwara Shrinathji temple of Rajasthan houses a statue of Lord Krishna, sculpted from a single piece of black marble. 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.

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The temple is referred to as 'Haveli', commonly used in Rajasthan for the mansions of the wealthy merchants. Temple servants wear the clothes and costumes of the bygone era of kings and queens and serve the deity as the beloved prince and darling of Nandaraj and Yashoda maiya, the adoptive parents of Lord Krishna.

At regular intervals, there is a live performance of classical music in its many fragrant marble halls and courtyards, to entertain Him. There are 'pankhwalas' who still pull on the large fans manually to cool the interiors. There are drums and trumpets to announce the 'Royal Darshan' in the noon just as the announcements that the kings entering their courts were once made.

The temple is built around several split-level courtyards to keep it airy with a solid-white façade at its exteriors. There are paintings of elephants, horses, beautiful maidens and doorkeepers on all the doorways. It is said that famous pichwai paintings originated from the custom of painted curtain cloths behind the idol.