Shrinathji Temple

Shrinathji Temple is the most important Vaishnava pilgrimage site in Rajasthan and the focal point of the Pushtimarg devotional tradition founded by Vallabhacharya. The temple enshrines a black stone image of Lord Krishna as a seven-year-old child, his left arm raised as if lifting Govardhan Hill. Originally installed at Govardhan in Mathura, the deity was relocated to Nathdwara in 1672 to protect it from Aurangzeb's iconoclasm, travelling by bullock cart and coming to rest here when the cart's wheels sank into the ground, a sign taken as divine will. The idol is dressed in fresh garments and adorned with flowers at eight daily darshan sessions, each associated with a different time of day in Krishna's life. Pichwai paintings, narrative temple hangings depicting Krishna's legends, are an integral part of the daily ritual.