Pilgrimages of Rajasthan - Rajsamand district
Pilgrimages of Rajasthan - Rajsamand district
Nathdwara:
- Famous pilgrimage of Srinathji: Nathdwara is an important pilgrimage associated with Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya of Pusti Marga. The black marble idol of Srinathji is that of a 7-year old infant. Nathdwara is located in the Aravalli Hills on the banks of river Banas. According to legend, a cow in Govardhan Hill used to pour her milk on a particular spot everyday. The villagers discovered an idol of Krishna there, and this happened around the same time when Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya was born in Champaran in 1479. Srinathji was initially installed in the Jatipura village in Govardhan. The temple construction began later but was vandalised by Sikandar Lodi. After Lodi's death, Srinathji was again brought back and the temple rebuilt. Around 1670 when Aurangzeb attacked Mathura Vrindavana, the idol of Srinathji was moved to Agra, and subsequently to Kota, Pushkar, Jodhpur and finally Mewar. At Mewar, it was kept under the protection of Rana Raj Singh. Srinathji was finally installed in Sinhad in around 1671, which is the present Nathdwara.
- Festivals: Annakoot festival on the day after Diwali is celebrated for a week here. Gopashtami during Karthik Shukla Paksha (Oct-Nov).
- Nathdwara is located in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan.
Kankroli Dwarka:
- Famous pilgrimage of Dwarkadheesh: Kankroli Dwarkadheesh Temple is a famous temple of Sri Krishna associated with the Vallabha sampradaya (another famous temple is Nathdwara). It is located in Kankroli town, 65 km from the city of Udaipur in Rajasthan. The town is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills and the temple is situated on the bank of the Rajsamand Lake. (It is around 16 km from the famous Nathdwara Temple). According to legend the idol of this temple is very old and worshipped by king Ambareesha in the Treta Yuga. The idol was worshipped in Mathura in a temple built by king Vikramaditya till 1670 AD. When Aurangzeb attacked Vraja Bhoomi in 1670 AD, many temple idols were moved to safer places. Srinathji was moved to Nathdwara and Dwarkadheesh to Kankroli. Maharana Raj Singh is said to have built this temple in around 1676 AD. The temple located on the bank of the Rajsamand lake has a very soothing ambience.
- Kankroli Dwarka is located in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan.
Charbhujaji:
- Famous pilgrimage of Charbhujaji: Charbhujaji Temple is a famous temple of Lord Vishnu located in the Garhbor village in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. The village is situated in the Aravalli mountain ranges and the temple is situated near the bank of river Gomti. According to legend the idol of Charbhujaji is very old and was worshipped by the Pandavas in the past. It was installed by Gang Dev who received divine instructions in a dream from Lord Vishnu to recover the idol. Gang Dev is said to have recovered the idol from water. The image of Vishnu is 85 cm high and has four hands (hence the name Charbhuja). The four hands hold Conch, Discus, Mace and a Lotus flower. One characteristic feature of the temple is the extensive mirror works inside.
- Festival: Every year on Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha Ekadasi (Jhaljhoolani Ekadasi) (Aug-Sep), the Lord is specially worshipped after giving a ceremonial bath in a nearby lake. A large number of pilgrims take part in this bathing procession. A large fair is also held during this ocassion.
- Charbhujaji is located in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan.
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