Nathdwara, near Udaipur in Rajasthan, is the home of Shrinathji, a beloved form of Lord Krishna as a seven year old child, and the chief seat of the Pushtimarg, the path founded by Shri Vallabhacharya.
Your darshan is free. The temple is a haveli, run like the Lord's own home, and you see him through the day in a set of short darshan windows called jhankis. You follow the official temple site and the jhanki times, not a reseller.
Free darshan and the jhankis
- Your darshan of Shrinathji is free and open to all.
- Darshan is not all day; you see the Lord in a set of short windows through the day, the jhankis, each with its own name and mood.
- On weekends, festival days and above all Janmashtami and Annakut the crowds are enormous, so reach early for each jhanki.
Because the darshan is free, take care with any private "VIP darshan" site, because darshan is by the jhanki windows for all.
The eight darshan windows
Through the day the Lord is shown in a sequence of jhankis, from the early morning Mangala, when he wakes, through Shringar when he is dressed, Rajbhog at midday, and on to the evening and night windows, ending with Shayan when he sleeps. Each window is short, often only a few minutes, and the temple opens and closes the doors for each one. So you plan your visit around the jhanki you want, and reach in good time, because the doors close when the window ends.
How it works, in plain words
The haveli is run as Shrinathji's home, so the day follows his routine, not a ticket queue. You join the crowd for a jhanki, move in when the doors open, take a short, powerful darshan, and move out. There is no long standing queue as at some temples, but the crowd surges for each window, so hold children close and keep your belongings safe. Photography is not allowed inside.
Timings, in plain words
The jhanki times shift a little through the year and change on festival days, and the temple board sets them, so check the official site or the day's board before you go. The windows run from before dawn to night, with gaps between them when the temple is closed. Plan to reach for a specific jhanki rather than expecting all day darshan.
Best time and festivals
You can visit all year, and the cooler months suit the Rajasthan trip. The biggest days are Janmashtami, the birth of Krishna, and Annakut or Govardhan Puja just after Diwali, when a mountain of food is offered and the town fills completely. If you visit at these peaks, reach very early for each jhanki and book your stay far ahead.
How to reach
Nathdwara is about forty eight kilometres from Udaipur in Rajasthan. The nearest airport is Udaipur, and the nearest railway is at Nathdwara nearby, called Nathdwara or Mavli, with Udaipur the main hub. You reach Nathdwara by road from Udaipur in about an hour, so many travellers pair it with an Udaipur trip and the tall Statue of Belief nearby.
What to carry and the rules
Carry a photo identity and modest, traditional dress, which the temple prefers. Leave your phone and camera as required, because photography is not allowed inside and there is a security check. Use the cloakroom for bags. Carry a little cash for prasad and offerings. Reach in good time for your chosen jhanki, because the doors close when it ends.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Your biggest mistake would be paying a private "VIP darshan" site, when darshan is free and by the jhanki windows for all. Next, do not arrive expecting all day darshan, because you must reach for a set jhanki. Do not carry a phone or camera into the temple. Do not come at Janmashtami or Annakut without a plan, into an enormous crowd. Do not miss the famous Nathdwara Pichwai paintings in the town.
Questions people ask
Is Nathdwara darshan free?
Yes, your darshan of Shrinathji is free, shown in the day's jhanki windows.
What is the official website?
nathdwaratemple.org, the Nathdwara Temple Board. Nothing else is the temple.
What are the jhankis?
The short darshan windows through the day, each with its own name and mood, from the morning Mangala to the night Shayan.
Do I need to book?
No, ordinary darshan is free and by the jhanki windows. Just reach in good time for the window you want.
When is it busiest?
At Janmashtami and Annakut, and on weekends and festival days.
How do I reach Nathdwara?
By road from Udaipur, about forty eight kilometres, or by train to Nathdwara station.