• Jan 25 2016
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shreenathji-temple

Forty-eight kilometers from the City of Lakes in Rajasthan, nestled in the lap of the Aravalli Hills lies a small temple town called Nathdwara. Located on the banks of the Banas river, the little city has garnered a reputation for being the spiritual seat of none other than Lord Krishna. What is remarkable is the fact that the Mathura-born deity is worshipped in the form of a child-god here–known as Shrinathji–forever reliving his boyhood days. The worship, therefore, is far from the usual ritualised veneration found in most temples and instead, the darshan takes on an aspect of performance, making each visit a unique and dynamic experience for the devotees.

The name of the town means Gate of God, and the locale itself is also sometimes referred to as Shrinathji, clearly indicating that the temple acts as a nucleus for the goings-on and daily lives of denizens. This is unsurprising, as the sacred activities within the place of worship create an environment so spiritually charged – it is as if the child-god lives, plays, interacts with and watches over the people of this beloved city. The townspeople, therefore, mould their schedules to the calendar of darshan so as to ensure that Lord Krishna enjoys his sojourn.