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Udaipur, with its
vicinage, is famous for temples and shrines which are not only the
embodiment of the religious feelings and sentiments, but are also a fine
realization of the superb taste and sense of art and architecture of the
people who dedicated their soul, mind and money for the cause. Vaishnav
and Jain temples, many in number, are held highly in reverence and visited
by thousands of Hindus and Jains every year. The following are some of the
important temples a tourist should include in his itinerary:-
JAGDISH TEMPLE :- At a distance of 5.5 Km.
(3.50 miles) from the Railway station, the pinnacled Jagdish Temple, built
by Maharana Jag at Singh I (1628-53) at a cost of Rs.15 lacks, is one the
way to the city places. It has a beautiful four/armed black image of Lord
Vishnu. The Temple 24 m. (80 feet) high is on a 7.6 m. (25 feet) high
platform accessible by a flight of 32 steps. The bold structure of the
temple, representing the variety of scenes relating to the life on this
Earth as well as the World beyond, is a delight to a visitor who should
minutely examine these figures engraved with all well thought details. The
ornamental decorum and the architectural beauty of the temple defy any
description.
JAIN TEMPLES OF UDAIPUR :- There are more
than 30 mentionable Jain temples in Udaipur of which the t temples of
Sheetal Nathji and Vasupoojyaji (both being the incarnations of Mahaveer
Swami) deserve a special reference. The temple of Sheetal Nathji is the
oldest of all the temples said to have been founded with the foundation of
Udaipur. It is on the right side of the way from the Clock Tower to the
City Palaces and contains beautiful glass work. But more beautiful is the
temple of Vasupoojayji wherein there are bewitching glass mosaics and
paintings. It is in Bada Bazaar hardly half a furlong from the Clock
Tower.
EKLINGHATH TEMPLE :- At 21 km. (13 miles)
distance from Udaipur on the National Highway
No. 8, while going towards Nathdware, is the famous temple of Eklingnath,
built originally by Bappa Rawal in the third decade of the eighth century,
and later on repaired and remodeled by different Maharana to wipe out the
vestiges of the destruction caused by attacks of Mohammedans. By dint of
the kindness of Eklingnath, Bappa Rawal got the kingdom of Mewar, and
hence, Eklingji was the ruling deity of Mewar and the Maharana were the
devotees and Dewans of Eklingji. Inside the temple is a beautiful
four-faced image of Lord Shiva carved out of black marble open for darshan
for a number of times throughout the day, but the most lovely darshan is
had at the time of the evening worshipping (arti) held between 7.00 and
7.30 P.M. The temple has a double storied porch ornamented by a pyramidal
roof and peculiarly ornate tower over the sanctuary proper. Carvings
require critical and patient eyes to enjoy.
LAKULISH TEMPLE :- Within the precincts of
the Eklingnath temple is another beautiful temple of Lord Lakulish built
in 971 A.D. by Narwahan, a ruler of Nagda. This marvelous specimen of
sculpture so far lying in oblivion has recently attracted the attention of
archeologists. It is the only temple of its kind of Lakulish sect in
India.
NAGDA TEMPLE :- At a 4 km. (1.5 mile)
distance in the west from Eklingji, are the famous ruins
caused by Muslim invaders (especially Alumnus) of the temple of Nagda, the
old capital of Mewar founded by Nagaditya in the sixth century. The famous
temples of “Sas-Bahu” (mother-in-law and daughter –in law) are enviable
specimen of fine texture of the material that dictates more care for
details than the buff and red sandstone of Rajasthan. The mastery over the
material and the difficulties of chiseling granite have paved the way for
similar sculpture elsewhere. There temple, as the legend goes, are the
result of a healthy emulation between the Sas (mother-in-law) and the Bahu
(daughter-in-law) to construct a finer temple. The temple situated in
inviting surroundings of green woods and small tanks are approachable by a
motor able road. On the way to these temple is another temple of a
Jain-incarnation popularly known as the temple of adbhutji Baba built
during Maharana Kumbha’s regime in 1437 A.D.? The grand and impressive
idol of Adbhutji 2 m. (7ft.) high in the sitting posture is inspiring.
There are few other fourteenth-century temple in ruins in the vicinity.
Their fine sculpture and carvings depicting various phases of human life
deserve the attention of visitors to this place.
JAGAT TEMPLE : THE ‘KHAJORAHO OF RAJASTHAN :-
At a distance of 56 km. (35 miles) south-east of Udaipur, on a regular
bus-route via Kurawad, is a temple of Ambika-Durga in a small village of
jagat. It was built in 960 A.D. The one thousand year old temple, enclosed
by a massive rampart wall, is a sublime product of India’s artistic genius
of the tenth century. The exteriors of its Sabhamandap and sanctum present
a vivid view of the cult of goddess Durga in various forms. The details of
Apsra and Sur-Sundari figures on the exterior of the main hall have been
executed with immense elegance. The whole edifice of the temple replete
with sculptural wealth and excellent workmanship is in a good condition.
The temple on account of its singular existence in Rajasthan, immense
richness in art and architecture and attractive appearance can
legitimately be crowned with the epithet of the Khajoraho of Rajasthan.
The State Department of Archaeology and Museum looks after the temple.
Many sixth-century sculptures, which are now in Udaipur Museum, have been
collected from the site of Jagat which has been a stronghold of
Shive-Shakti cult about 1300 years ago.
CHARBHUJA :- The temple of Charbhujaji about 30 km. (20 miles) from
Kankroli and 29 km. (18 miles) from the Railway Station of Charbhuji Road,
has a four-armed deity of Charbhujanathji worshipped by Vasihnavites. On
the eleventh day of Bhadra Suckle, a grand fair is held which is attended
by thousands of pilgrims from Mewar, Marwar and Gujarat. Unsophisticated
way of performing puja of Charbhujaji is a mentionable specialty here.
Gujars) a community residing in the town here) manage the affairs of the
temple and perform puja turn by turn. Glass-work inside the temple imparts
a beautiful look to the interior of the structure. The temple is said to
be much older.
RISHABHDEOJI :- A village of 4,000
population, named as Rishabhdeiji (or Dhuler) and situated at a distance
of 64 km. (40 miles south of Udaipur on the National Highway No. 8 (Delhi
Ahmedabad) is the site of the celebrated temple of Lord Rishabheiji, the
first Jain incarnation. The black marble idol of Rishabhdeiji is 1 m.
(3ft.) high in sitting posture. It looks very beautiful, especially when
it is donned with the Angia (a special garment studded with precious
stones like diamonds costing more than rupees two and a half lakes
presented by late Maharana Fateh Singh) on special occasions or on payment
of a prescribed fee. Rishabhdeoji is also called Keshariaji on account of
saffron applied on the idol by devotees at the time of puja (worship).
Rishabhdeoji also being the incarnation of Lord Vishnu is worshiped
equally by Vaishnavites. Bhils, who call Rishabhdeoji ‘Kala Baba’ devotes
of Lord Rishabdeo. A grand fair, througed by thousands of Bhils in a
hilarious mood, is held here on the occasion of Hole. It is delightful to
see the colorful sight of the Bhil culture and revelry with which both the
sexes freely mix together.
GALIAKOT :- Galiakot an ancient town 168 km.
(105 miles) south of Udaipur approachable by a good motorable road is
known for the famous mausoleum of Saint Fakruddin Shaheed of Bohra
community. About a thousand years ago, saints – Abdulla and Ahmed – came
from Yemen to Cambay in Indai to propagate Islam, as a result of which
Hindu King Sidhraj with his two Dewans – Tarmal and Bharmal – embraced
Isam. Saint Fakruddin was the son of converted Tarmal. The saint, with a
mission to propagate Islam came to Vagar region (region comprising
Banswara, Galiakot, Sagwara, Dungarpur etc.) where he was killed and was
buried on the site of the mausoleum. Thousands of Bohras from all over the
world , specially in Urs on the 27th of Moharram, come to pay visit to the
mausoleum. Bhils of this also have a great reverence for the saint. There
is a good arrangement for pilgrims to stay here.
Nathdwara :- The name of the town literally
means the doorway to Nath (dwara: doorway). The town of Nathdwara is also
known as the Apollo of Mewar and is famous all over Rajasthan as the
residence of Shri Nathji, one of the most popular icons of Lord Krishna.
The town may be small but has gained prominence as a great place of
pilgrimage for the Pushtimarga sect of the Vaishnava community, devoted to
Krishna as a child. Nathdwara was built after Lord Shri Nathji had settled
here. The town, lying on the right bank of the Banas River, is a lovely
place to visit but should be avoided by all means on Janmashtami and
during the Govardhana Puja when the place is overcrowded with pilgrims.
Shri Nathji is the form of Lord Krishna when he lifted the Govardhana
Hill. It is also said that Shri Nathji is actually the original form of
Lord Krishna better known as Nikunja Nayaka or the Lord of the Celestial
Bower. He is shown with his left hand raised and the right hand closed in
a fist and resting on his hip. His followers worship him both as Shri
Radhanath or the Lord of Radha and as the mischievous child god Krishna.
The idol of Shri Nathji is made from a large black stone and has several
animals engraved on it – two cows, a snake, a lion, two peacocks, a parrot
by the god’s head, three seated sages, one on the Lord’s left and the
other two on his right and another snake below the sages. A flower garland
made of stone around the deity’s neck resembles a black snake. The lord
here is given much respect: his clothes and jewellery are changed six
times a day between the prayer services.
Shri Nathji’s idol was brought to Rajasthan from Govardhana near Vrindavan
to protect it from the hands of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who in 1665
was bent upon vandalizing the area of Vrindavan. When the Mughal army came
to Govardhana, the devotees of the Lord showed them the titles and gifts
given to the temple by the previous Mughal rulers. The army commander then
ordered the deity to be taken away from Govardhana. For almost six months
the statue stayed in Agra after which it went on a journey to Mewar which
took 32 months to complete. Rana Raj Singh of Mewar later brought the
deity to Nathdwara around 1669. The decision to settle the Lord here at
Nathdwara involves an interesting story. When the wheel of the chariot
carrying the Lord got stuck in the mud at a place called Sihar, the Rana
saw it as a divine sign that Lord Krishna wished to settle here. And thus
a temple was built at this spot and the holy township of Nathdwara grew
around the temple. The temple of Shri Nathji dating from 12th century BC
is a simple structure and is built like a house, but simultaneously has
grace, design and harmony. It has been designed in the lines of the house
of Krishna’s father, Nanda Maharaj, in Vrindavan. The temple is thus also
known as Nanda Bhavan or Nandalaya (the house of Nanda Maharaj). A kalasha
(spire) tops it on which are seven flags alongwith the weapon of Lord
Vishnu, the sudarshan chakra (discus). The temple has a black marble idol
of Lord Krishna with his hand upraised lifting the Govardhana Hill. The
god wears a large diamond beneath his lips, a gift from the Mughal emperor
Akbar. There is an interesting story regarding the deity of Shri Nathji
that forms the basis of a temple ritual. It is said that once the Lord had
torn his clothes while rushing back to the temple to be on time for
prayers. Since that day it has become a custom to first blow the conch and
then wait for a few minutes before opening the altar doors so that the
Lord can return from his frolicking without any hurry and thus save
himself from the embarrassment that he had already faced once. Non-Hindus
are not allowed to enter the temple, but yes, exceptions have been made
for foreign visitors. The temple has over 500 cows amongst which one is
honoured of being Shri Nathji’s cow. This cow comes from a lineage that
has served the Lord for ages and whose milk is only for the deity to
drink. Milk from the other cows is used to make various sweets. Nathdwara
has several other temples dedicated to Madana Mohana and Naveet Priya, all
located in the main Shri Nathji temple complex. The former deity was
gifted to the temple by the wife of Maharana Fateh Singh of Udaipur.
Naveet Priya temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, or one who is fond of
butter (naveet means butter and priya means lover). The Banamali Temple is
also a Krishna Temple and is located to the right of the Shri Nathji
Temple, while the Vitthalnath Temple is right opposite the entrance of the
Shri Nathji Temple. The deity of this temple was previously located at
Gokula in Brajbhumi or the land of the Braj. According to Indian
mythology, Lord Krishna had spent his childhood days here at Gokula. The
festivals of Nathdwara are also quite unique in nature. The largest is
known as Annakuta, which is simply a continuation of the traditional
worship of the Govardhana Hill as performed by the people of Vrindavan. It
takes place a day before the Diwali, another Indian festival that is
celebrated with much fervour and vigour. A hill is made of 2,500kg of rice
and is offered to the deity of Shri Nathji. And then the temple gates are
closed which are opened only in the evening during the darshan (public
viewing) of the Lord. The looting of the prasada (mainly sweet offerings
to a deity) of rice from the annakuta (the rice hill) follows. Every
single worshipper of the Lord joins in the looting with much enthusiasm.
The month of April hosts the Rose Festival and the end of summer finds
itself in the midst of the Rath Yatra. The deity is given a free ride
around the town on a silver chariot and an offering of 100,000 mangoes are
also made to him. Jhulana Yatra or the swing festival is celebrated here
during June/July. Swings made of gold, silver, glass and flowers with the
deity in it are put on display. Children specially find it fun to decorate
the swing of the Lord. Janmashtami, celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna,
is again a major festival and is observed with much fanfare. Other than
its temples, Nathdwara is also famous for its pichhwai paintings, which
are very similar in theme to the thangka paintings of Ladakh and Tibet.
Local Brahmin artists produce fine and intricate paintings on paper and
cloth. Literally meaning ‘something at the back’, these are large
paintings on cloth portraying Shri Nathji in various costumes and moods.
The Lord is also shown in the forests surrounded by cows and gopinis
(milkmaids). They depict the events and happenings in the god’s life and
are frequently changed to create different moods depending on the occasion
and ritual. Ink blue clouds and dancing peacocks represent Lord Krishna
with his blue complexion while the cows symbolize the devotees craving for
their Lord. The name pichhwai has been derived from the position of the
painting behind the image of the deity in Vaishnava temples of the Pushti
Marga sect devoted to the childgod Krishna. The purpose of the pichhwai
was to narrate the Krishna stories for the uneducated, and the painted
pichhwai of Nathdwara has now become the main export of the town. The
paintings are devotional in theme and have their own appeal for the Lord’s
worshippers. The Nathdwara artists have triumphed in the art of detailing,
creating pichhwais that are almost like a patchwork collection of
miniatures. The earlier paintings had used colours taken from crushed
vegetables, like indigo and mineral colours such as lapis lazuli. However,
commercial colours have now replaced them. Early pichhwais are rarely
available as they are much in demand from foreign tourists and are sold at
exhorbitant prices. These are miniature paintings and can be used as cards
as well. Most of these serve their purpose mainly as low quality cheap,
souvenirs. Well known musicians who play and sing for gods also live and
study here. Musical instrument shops, cottage industries and the street
and temple life of Nathdwara offer a nostalgic glimpse of the bygone era
of valour and religion. Apart from its pichhwais, Nathdwara is also a
major centre for handmade terracottas. A small place near Nathdwara called
Molela produces this extraordinary folk art. The tradition of terracotta
in this area goes a long way back by about 2,000 years. Today only about
20 families practice this dying art. These terracottas depict various
local deities and legendary heroes and is eye-catching more for its rustic
splendour than for its tradition. They are hand made using primitive
tools, have no molds and are painted in bright colours. Situated in :
Eklingji Distance : 22 km from Udaipur Built in 971 A.D. is the
beautifully sculpted temple complex with 108 temples within its high
walls. The temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of
Mewar rulers. The welted complex encloses an elaborately pillared hall or
‘mandap’ under a large pyramidal roof and has four-faced image of Lord
Shiva in black marble. Some of the Structures date back to 15th Century .
The main Temple made of Marble & Granite , has an enormous Double -Storied
Hall under a vast pyramidal Roof. The regaining Deity is the four- faced
Shiva carved in Black Marble. yet another Temple in the Complex is the
lakulish Temple, built in 971 A.D. it is the only Temple of the Lakulish
Sect in the whole India. |
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