Nathdwara
Nathdwara is a small town surrounded by the Aravali hills. The place is also built to remind us of Mathura; the Banas river is known as Shree Yamunaji and the surrounding hills as Govardhan; which is the original home of our ShreeNathji. Before the arrival of Shreeji this place was known as 'Sinhad'. The surroundings are very pretty and scenic and fills an unknown joy whenever I enter this boundary
As we approach from Udaipur airport, about 2 km before the Haveli is Shreeji’s gaushala. As we pass this place our heads bow down in respect, as it is one of the most sacred and pavitra (pure) place in the entire world.
Once Shreeji settled here the original name, Sinhad was changed to Nathdwara. All were happy and the city full of joy; the entire town served Shreeji as it was built only for His Play.
Shreeji's town wears a white washed look. There are paintings on every house and wall; it is a very typical look that the entire town of Nathdwara adorns. The roads are all very narrow and ultimately lead one to the centre square, chowk where Shreeji’s Haveli is located. To be able to reach the Haveli is only on foot, as the cars have to be left at least 1\2 km away. The narrow lanes only allow scooters.
I have been in the interior passages of the town and it would be extremely easy to get lost in them. They are like a maze something about them makes me feel extremely nostalgic. It is very, very romantic and mystic; the entire passages, the people and the aura of the town. The Presence of Shreeji is very strong in every little detail everywhere. The surroundings make sure you do not forget that this is Shreeji’s town and you are here to pay your respects to the "Parmatma", residing here in the form of a very young child in all His innocence and mischief.
The Haveli of Shreeji is a Palace where He lives in His Full Form. It is His Home, and all the sewaks and the true devotees know that many with the right bhao have experienced this Divine Presence. Unlike the other several mandirs scattered all over the world; this place is very sacred, as till today the entire routine since sevaral years has been followed perfectly. Shreeji’s Presence is total so all acknowledge His living Presence as Himself in this Haveli. It is not an ordinary mandir or place of worship. God Himself lives here in the most alive form. Darshans are not merely joining hands or offering prayers. It is more like Shreeji’s Divine court being held and all gather to pay their respects and offer sewa in whatever form. The most important ingredient required for Shreeji’s sewa, is bhao (total devotion) and shuddhi (purity); or else one can just tick the darshans as a visit to one more holy dham, without any reality being experienced.
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