Page 27 - OPIHI (English)

nAthdwArA 13

In Mewar the Lord’s chariot next to the Aravalli hills. This abode
gradually reached the town called of the Lord, established around the
Sinhäd, where a princess had resided year 1675, came to be known as Çré
who was a great devotee of Lord Nathdwara.
Kåñëa. She had strongly desired
that Lord Çrénäthajé make this His The atmosphere of Mewar calls
home, and the Lord had promised to mind Våndävana. Mewar
her in a dream that He would do so. has pleasant hills that resemble
Now the princess had passed away, Govardhana, and the river Banäs
but the Lord inspired His devotees reminds one of the Yamunä.
to build a beautiful temple there,
the temple
The temple of Çrénäthajé differs in
design from most of the temples
of India. Most temples have large
decorative domes called çikharas,
conspicuous from a long distance.
But the temple of Çrénäthajé, and
other places of worship for the
followers of Vallabhäcärya, are
more like houses. Called havelés
(Persian for “home”), they are made
to suggest the Våndävana house of
Kåñëa’s father, Nanda Mahäräja.
The temple, therefore, is also known
as Nanda Bhavan or Nandälaya,
“the house of Nanda Mahäräja.”

Decorating the top of the Çrénäthajé
temple is a spire, or kalaça, as well
as the disc of Lord Viñëu and seven
flags. A guard stands by the flags
twenty-four hours a day, protecting
them from the discourtesies of the
birds.
One of Nathdwara’s many talented
artists works on a painting of their
favorite subject.