Shrinathji Temple, Nathdwara

🛕 Lord Krishna | 📍 Nathdwara, Rajsamand, Rajasthan

Temple Tags: Famous Temple Festival Special Temple North India Temple

✔ Verified by Mandirvaas

📍 Open in Maps

⏰ Darshan

Morning: — – —
Evening: — – —

📅 Best Time to Visit

October to March is generally comfortable for pilgrimage.

📸 Photography

Not Allowed

🔱 Temple Significance

Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara is one of the major Vaishnava pilgrimage centres of Rajasthan and an important seat of the Pushtimarg tradition. The temple is dedicated to Shrinathji, a form of Lord Krishna traditionally depicted with his left arm raised to hold Govardhan Hill.

The temple is especially known for its unique Ashta Darshan, or eight daily opportunities for devotees to have darshan of Shrinathji. These include Mangla, Shringar, Gwal, Rajbhog, Uthapan, Bhog, Aarti and Shayan. Rather than remaining continuously open for darshan, the temple follows these scheduled devotional periods.

Nathdwara's religious culture is also closely connected with Pichwai painting, devotional music, traditional crafts and the Pushtimarg way of worship. Rajasthan Tourism identifies Shrinathji's image as a major inspiration for the distinctive Pichwai art tradition of Nathdwara.

🏛 Temple History

The history of Shrinathji Temple is closely associated with the sacred image of Shrinathji that was worshipped at Govardhan near Vrindavan. According to the temple tradition and Rajasthan Tourism, the deity was moved from the Braj region during the period of Mughal rule to protect the sacred image from destruction.

The image travelled towards Mewar under the protection of its custodians. Rajasthan Tourism records that when the cart carrying Shrinathji reached the village of Sihad, its wheels became stuck in the ground. This was understood as a divine indication that Shrinathji wished to remain at that location. A temple was subsequently established there, and the settlement developed into what is now Nathdwara.

The deity was installed at the new temple in 1672, and Nathdwara gradually developed into an important centre of the Pushtimarg Vaishnava tradition.

The temple's worship follows the Pushtimarg tradition associated with Vallabhacharya and his lineage. The temple's official website provides extensive information on Pushtimarg, Vallabhacharya, Shrinathji's arrival at Nathdwara and the temple's eight daily darshans.

The temple is also strongly associated with Pichwai art, a traditional devotional painting style depicting Shrinathji and scenes connected with Krishna's worship. Rajasthan Tourism notes the historical connection between Pichwai painting and the Nathdwara temple.

🪔

Daily Poojas

Regular temple worship schedule

🪔

No daily poojas available.

🔱

Special Rituals

Sacred offerings and temple rituals

🕉️

No special rituals available currently.

🎉 Temple Festivals

No festivals available.

🧭 Pilgrim Travel Tips

Plan your visit around the Ashta Darshan schedule rather than assuming the temple is continuously open for darshan.
Check the official temple schedule before travelling because darshan timings can change.
Mangla Darshan is the earliest darshan and requires an early arrival.
The temple can become particularly busy during Janmashtami, Holi, Annakut and other major Vaishnava festivals.
Photography and cameras are restricted, so avoid carrying photographic equipment specifically for temple interiors.
Dress modestly and follow the temple's instructions.
Nathdwara is famous for Pichwai paintings, making the local art tradition an important part of a temple visit.
Consider visiting other nearby religious and cultural attractions in Nathdwara after darshan.
If travelling with elderly pilgrims, plan around one specific darshan rather than attempting to attend all eight.
Because the darshan windows are relatively short, arrive well before the expected opening time.