Main Info
Nathdwara Tourism
The quaint Nathdwara town is surrounded by the great Aravalli Hills in the centre of the state of Rajasthan, alongside the Banas River and has immense natural beauty. The meaning of Nathdwara is ‘The Gateway to God’ and is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site, visited by thousands each year, for religious and tourism purposes. Nathdwara also holds fame for its traditional style Rajasthani Pichwai Paintings and terracotta creations. The town is known as a centre for traditional art, handicrafts and artefacts.
The name Nathdwara specifically translates to the phrase ‘Gateway to Shrinathji’ based on the famous temple that is located there. For foodies as well, there are plenty of attractions in Nathdwara as there are numerous food options available. Overall, Nathdwara has striking architecture and great religious importance, attracting all types of tourists.
More on Nathdwara
Lord Krishna’s Abode
Located on the banks of the Banas River, Nathdwara is a picturesque town surrounded by numerous ancient temples. The mesmerizing surroundings, the backdrop of the Aravalli Hills and ancient temples further enhance Nathdwara’s image as the gateway to the gods.
History of Nathdwara
The origins of Nathdwara are traceable from 1665. At the time, a 14th-century idol of Shrinathji, a 7-year old form of Lord Krishna, was seated in Mathura’s Vrindavan. However, when the Mughal Emperor of the time, Aurangzeb, began plundering Mathura, the heads of the community decided that it would be better to move the Shrinathji idol to a safer place away from the destruction and wrath of Aurangzeb. For 6 months, the idol was kept in Agra and then travelling began again. According to legend, when the idol was being moved across Nathdwara, the bullock carts that were transporting the idol stopped and would not move further. The priest stopped, believing this to be a sign that Lord Krishna wished for the idol to stay there. A temple was constructed and soon a township also grew around the temple area, to later become known as Nathdwara.
Restaurants and Local Food in Nathdwara
Foodies need to look no further than Nathdwara, which is an absolute paradise for those fond of trying tasty foods. In between the temple darshan timings, there is ample time to squeeze in time to eat. There are plenty of roadside food stalls and street food options offering a variety of delicious vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian food options. Specialities of Nathdwara are khaman and thandai.
View 3 Restaurants in Nathdwara >
One Day Itinerary
Arrive in Nathdwara city and begin your day by visiting the Shrinathji temple, the central attraction of the town. Next, you can continue to the Rakht Talai, the location of the famous Haldighati battle. A museum is next to the Rakht Talai, where you can explore and view statues of some of the famous warriors. Later in the evening, make a trip to the Dwarkadheesh temple that is considered to be the most significant temple for the Vaishnavas.