Karmandir 
जय श्री कृष्ण
About
Shrinathji is Shri Krishna as a seven-year-old child, holding up Govardhan hill with his raised left hand. He is the main deity of the Pushtimarg of Shri Vallabhacharya. His temple stands at Nathdwara in Rajsamand district, Rajasthan, on the banks of the Banas river, about 48 km from Udaipur. Here the Lord is served like a beloved child of the house, so the temple is called a 'haveli'. Darshan opens eight times a day. Vaishnav families of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra hold Shrinathji very dear.
The story
In the Pushtimarg tradition, the form of Shrinathji appeared by itself from Govardhan hill in Braj. It is said that a villager searching for his lost cow first saw an arm coming out of the hill. For years the people of Braj bathed that arm with milk and worshipped it. Later the full form appeared.
Saint Vallabhacharya began the seva of this form on Govardhan and called him 'Gopal'. His son, Goswami Vitthalnath ji, gave him the name 'Shrinathji' and set the order of seva that is followed even today.
In 1672 the form was taken out of Braj to keep it safe. When the chariot reached the village of Sihad in Mewar, its wheels sank into the mud and would not move. The priests travelling with it understood that the Lord wished to stay there. A temple was built under the care of Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar, and the settlement came to be called Nathdwara, the gateway of the Lord.
There is also a sweet folk tale. It is said that Shrinathji used to come to Mewar to play chaupar with a princess named Ajab Kunvari, and promised her that when the time was right he would settle in Mewar. Devotees see his coming to Nathdwara as that promise kept.
How they are shown
Shrinathji's form is carved in relief on a single slab of black stone. His left hand is raised, recalling the lifting of Govardhan hill, and his right hand rests as a fist on his waist. A diamond is set below his lower lip. Two cows, a lion, a snake, two peacocks and a parrot are carved on the slab. Behind him hangs a painted pichhwai cloth that changes with the season and the festival.
How to worship
Makhan-mishri, milk sweets, seasonal fruit, flowers and the famous Nathdwara peda; many dishes at Annakut
In Pushtimarg the Lord is served like a beloved child of the house. In the morning, wake Thakorji lovingly, dress him in clean clothes and do his shringar. Offer bhog that suits the season: cool things in summer, warm things in winter. Remember 'Shrikrishnah Sharanam Mama' and sing a kirtan or bhajan. Give him time to rest at midday and at night. Offer whatever you make with love; in Pushtimarg the feeling of the heart matters most.
Their festivals
- Krishna Janmashtami and Nand Mahotsav Bhadrapad Krishna Ashtami, with Nand Mahotsav the next day
- Annakut (Govardhan Puja) Kartik Shukla Pratipada, the day after Diwali
- Diwali Kartik Amavasya
- Holi Phalgun Purnima and the day after
- Sharad Purnima Ashwin Purnima
