Shrinathji Darshan - Shayan

Shayan DarshanFinal Darshana of the day commences only after rasoiya boli, when the priest ascends the terrace of the haveli and calls out - Cook, come early the following day. After this, drumming heralds Darshana. Since it is time for Lord to retire, various eatables are offered to Shrinathji. A singer...

Shrinathji Darshan - Aarti

Aarti DarshanSandhya Aarti is the evening darshana. This darshana takes place at dusk, when krishna use to bring his Cows home from the fields. The predominant mood is matrubhava (motherly love). The fear of any ill effects resulting from his wonderings in the woods and protects from harm.After the...

Shrinathji Darshan - Bhog

Bhog DarshanSixth darshana of the day takes place an hour after Utthapana. A light meal is served to Shrinathji. A Chhadidara stands guard formally dressed in a Pagha (Turban), a Pataka (Sash) and a Gheradar Jama (A Garment with a Flaring Skirt). He holds a staff and wears a golden kada, anklet. The...

Shrinathji Darshan - Uthapan

Uthapan DarshanDuring the afternoon, around 3.30 p.m., Shrinathji is aroused from his nap. A Conch is blown, it is time for him to return home with his Cows. The vina is played followed by kirtana. Surdas, the celebrated blind devotee, mystic and poet, is supposed to be the chief singer of this Darshana.Jai...

Shrinathji Darshan - Rajbhog

Rajbhog DarshanThe main meal of the day is offered to Shrinathji at Rajabhoga. Vitthalnathji, the son of the founder of Pushti Marga, has planned this as the most elaborate darshana of all. A temple priest ascends to the terrace prior to the darshana and calls out, 'Mala Begi Laiyo!!' (bring the garland...

Shrinathji Darshan - Gwal

Gwal DarshanThird Darshana takes place at the hour when the lord takes his cows to pasture. The Mukhiya of the Gaushala (Cowpen) of Nathdwara visits Shrinathji at this time to inform him that all his Cows are well. He is then offered makhan mishri, a light dish with a milk base. The refreshments...

Shrinathji Darshan - Shringar

Shringar DarshanThe next darshana follows the first by hour and is called shringara. Shrinathji is dressed carefully from head to foot, and a garland of flowers is placed around his neck. A Mukhiya holds a mirror in front of him so that he can satisfy himself that, he is well dressed. This is his play...

Shrinathji Darshan - Mangla

Mangla DarshanMangla is the first darshan of the day. The name Mangla underlines auspiciousness of beginning the day with a glimpse of lord. In winter this darshan takes place before sunrise, while in summer, it is later.During Mangla darshan, the main doors of the sanctum are kept closed and are only...

Haveli of Shrinathji

The Haveli of Shrinathji, c. 19th century.The composition of this painting is elaborate and intricate. It is a topographical view of the haveli of Shrinathji (a temple where the deity Shrinathji, a form of Krishna, resides). The temple is in Nathdwara, near Udaipur in Rajasthan. The followers of Pushti...

Shrinathji Arrival at Nathdwara

Shrinathji’s idol was brought to Rajasthan from Govardhana near Vrindavan to protect it from the hands of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who in 1665 was bent upon vandalizing the area of Vrindavan by widespread destruction of Hindu temples. When the Mughal army came to Govardhana, the devotees of the...

History of Shrinathji Temple, Nathdwara

Shri Nathdwara (A Pathway to Lord Shri Krishna) literally means the gateway to the Lord Shrinathji. This great Vaishnavite shrine was built in the 17th century on spot exactly identified by the Lord himself. The legends have it that the idol of the Lord Krishna was being transferred to safer place...