Shreenathji visit memories

We were at Nathdwara near Udaipur (45kms), Rajasthan for a couple of days. Holy days of Dussera and Ekadashi. The visit was to take Shreenathji's blessings while on our way to Kota for a Samskrita Bharati's annual meeting.

We were completely new to this place although herd about the same many times and had aspirations to visit this.

We went theer from Mount Abu. Took a private bus from mount Abu to Udaipur. From Udaipur, again a bus to Nathdwara. We took a rickshaw from Nathdwara bus stop to "Bombay Wali" dharmashala or sanitorium. This was manually booked from Velkeshwar, Mumbai itself. This was really appreciable and reasonable arrangement recommended by my partner Amit Doshi, who visits there Atleast once in a year. Helper there helped us with carrying two heavy suitcases on the room allotted on second floor. Only problem is there is no online system to book. We need to call and send some one to book it physically at valkeshwar in Mumbai which is far. I had to spend Rs.60 to pay Rs. 350 to them.

After taking bath with hot water at 4pm, we went down at around 5pm. I quickly checked the official website http://www.nathdwaratemple.org to quench my curiousness on the history, geography and activities of the temple we were to visit in some time.But the website was down. Then I googled for the Shreenathji and found some information about Shreenathji's Prakatya, Swaroop, Departunre from Brij and also about the attack at Nathdwara by the Mugal invaders, the gist of which is mentioned above.

As I could understand from my bit of reading, listening & understanding Shreenathji is manifestation of lord Krishna in his Govarshana-Dhari swaroop, for his lovers Vallabhacharyaji who is also called Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ji. Vallabhacharyaji was  father of dwait vedanata. Scholar on one side and a saint or a devotee on another. The idol originated at Brij was moved to Nathdwara in Mewad, Rajasthan with the fear of Mugals destructing the Hindu temples and Shrines all across the country. It is also said that out of loved invite from saint Mira bai, Krishna in manifestation of Shreenathji, came at Nathdwara from Mathura. It is considered to be one of the highest pilgrimage that vaishnavas should be visiting.

On inquiring, my wife came to know from the Sanitorium guy  that, there is darshan scheduled 5.30pm. So we started moving downstairs for the same. It was a typical Chowpati type junk food lane. I saw interesting item "kand" a fried root there. Ate that. My wife although had nausea tasted it. Than we had "thandai", a special cold drink full of dryfruits. The person on the stall kept mixing and crushing the paste of dryfruits displayed around along with water. The aroma of thandai could be felt around. That was attractive, again first time experience for us. After having all that, I inquired about the place to dispose the plastic glass. The stall owner directed to throw that in a hole below his seat. This was a different idea. The whole place was congested with people, food junk and the full with plastic litter and the cows were eating the thrown away waste.

We than proceeded towards the temple after getting ambiguous directions from the thandai guy. Whilst we just neared a chawk (circle) hardly 3 mins walk through the thin lane, we were being surrounded by Brahmins in traditional dresses selling VIP entry passes for darshan. They started frightening us about the normal darshan wherein both me and my wife have to be separate and manage the crowd to get darshan. I never like crowded place and hence created agony about the difficulties of darshan. When we entered the crowded temple premise, there was no direction whatsoever for visitors as to how to approach the temple. Also, as always we had a curiosity to understand the history and significance of the place.

This made me succumb to a pandit who called himself the authorized guide to the temple. He agreed to help us see the temple and get the darshan comfortably @ Rs.100/-. The process started. We were first shown an old temple of Mira bai which he told had old paintings in it. He helped us visit the old temple first, than the Shreenathji's store & kitchen. Than he took us to the treasury and accounting department. He also helped us see the gold and silver crusher gifted by the king to Shreenathji. He explained that Vallabhacharyaji's descendants are considered as ultimate owners of the temple. It's Rakesh Bawaji now. We could also see the photographs of all the descendants.

The temple looked like royal home or Haveli. We finally had a chance to take darshan of Navaneet-Priyaji and the most awaited Shreenathji. It's was really enchanting and divine. I carried by 3 year old daughter on my head and made her see the divine idol of Lord Shreenathji for which thousands fought and lost their lives. Incidentally, that was Dussehra day and the lord was decorated with a bow and arrow in this hands. This is the day when Rama killed Ravana and hence Shreenathji also takes that flavour.

We gave a hundred rupee note to the Pandit who helped us through the process in the confusing temple. He asked for more for food for his cows. But we were strong enough to deny that and depart from there.

We were there for the next day till first half. We took the Darshan for twice on the first day and ones on the next day. I liked the lord but was worried about the people around who were completely corrupt and commercial minded. We could see business happening everywhere and sentiments being en-cashed all throughout. The place is completely commercialized one now.

While taking a walk on the streets of Nathdwara to night that day, I started thinking the purpose of temples and shrines of this kind who em-massed huge wealth from devotees. First thing that struck my mind is couldn't they improve convenience for the devotees who visit? Atleast put in place directions or signboards or explanations anywhere around the temple to help the devotees to enjoy the Darshan conveniently and with understanding. I could not find even a single urinal in such a big temple premise which is a commonest facility in any temple small or big. Another point that struck my mind is that the purpose of temples is to spread the knowledge and understanding in the society in one way or another. Can't such huge organization establish some education institution which imparts cultural education and awareness to the society as a part of it's activities. People coming and offering lacs of rupees in the holy feet of Shreenathji will definitely appreciate such activities and enhance themselves with such learning. Remember that Vallabhacharya (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ji) was an authorized scholar along with a devotee, why cant his followers follow that as well? Also the lord Krishna was the author of worlds most authentic text Bhagwadgeeta.

While writing this blog, I could check the http://www.nathdwaratemple.org/SocialServices and was happy that the temple has taken certain such initiatives and had plans to take many such initiatives further.

Although, we as visitors may not be aware of the plans of the trust and shortcomings of the people in power, we as common man always want all this to be ideal. If we do not, we starting negatively com

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