Shrinathji Temple Nathdwara

Shrinathji is the supreme deity of the Pushtimarg (path of grace) tradition, and Nathdwara is its holiest centre, drawing Gujarati and Rajasthani Vaishnavas in enormous numbers. The worship as a child-Krishna expresses the Pushtimarg ideal of loving, service-filled devotion (seva) rather than ritual formality. Janmashtami and Annakut (Govardhan Puja) here are celebrated with extraordinary splendour.

Shrinathji is worshipped as Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan, his left arm raised, in a black-stone svarupa that was brought from Govardhan to Mewar in the 17th century to protect it, and installed at Sinhad village — thereafter renamed Nathdwara. The temple, run by the Vallabh Sampradaya (Pushtimarg) founded by Vallabhacharya, follows an intimate daily routine of eight darshans (ashtayam seva) in which the Lord is treated as a living child — bathed, dressed, fed and put to rest. Nathdwara is also famous for its exquisite Pichwai paintings depicting Shrinathji against seasonal backdrops. The temple's devotional life, with its ever-changing shringar and rich bhajans, is among the most tender in all of Vaishnavism.