Travel Agency India

 24 kms north of Udaipur is the temple of Eklingji, the tutelary deity of the rulers of Mewar. It is a complex of 108 temples enclosed by high walls with bathing terraces leading down to the water.

The atmosphere excludes the fragrance of incense material such as dhoop, deep and sandalwood. The fifty feet high Eklingji temple has a multi- faced image of Lord Shiva made of black stone.

The various faces of Shiva can be seen in the four directions - the sun is east, Brahma in the west, Vishnu in the north and the Rudra in the south. In the centre of three images is the Shivlinga which is encircled by a silver snake. In this temple, Shiva is depicted with his family, Parvati and the elephant god Ganesh.

Images of Yamuna and Saraswati are also present. Specially attractive are the doors of silver which show Lord Ganesh and Kartikya. Near the temple, as we move up are the temples of Ambamata, Ganeshji and Kalika. The trunk of Ganeshji is towards the right although generally it is found to be facing the left. The brackets show nymphs in erotic dance postures, while the life size image of Bapparawal is a piece of art.

One of the legends relating to Ekilngil is that after killing Vrakshasur, Indra had meditated and prayed toeklingji in repentance and to be free of the curse.According to another legend, Bapparawa had seen the Shivlinga in his dream when he was in trouble and when the problem was solved, he constructed the tample and later build Mewar. The ruler of Mewar regards Eklangji as the real kingdom. There are around a hundred more temples, big and small, around the Eklagji temple.

The temple of shrinathji or Lord Krishna, belonging to the Vaishnav religion is located at Nathdwara, 48 kms. north of Udaipur. As thousands of tourists and pilgrims from all parts of the world pass the lofty mountains and serene lakes of Udaipur, it is impossible for them to resist visiting this important pilgrim centre.

In the temple, enshrined is a unique image of Lord Krishna, which has been sculptured from a single piece of black marble.

It is believed that during the reign of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Lord Krishna's image was brought to Mewar from Mathura by Goswami Daoji and enshrined with complete vedic rites and tradition at Shrinathji by the ruler of Mewar.

One of the arms of the life size image is raised in a manner so as to give an impression of holding the Govardhan mountain. The other arm rests at the waist which seems not only a dance posture but also as if God is blessing the devotees.

In Shrinathji temple, worship (puja) is replaced by servitude (seva). The temple priests change the vestments and ornaments of Shrinathji daily with love and reverence. It is believed that he appears to his devotees in many forms: the divine child inspiring parental love, the flute playing good in the forests of Vrindavan luring maidens with the melody of his flute.

Places worth seeing in the temple include the Moti Mahal. Sudarshan Chakraraj, Dhwajaji, Kamal Chowk, Ratan Chowk, Mani Kotha and the temples of Shri Navnit Priyaji. The Shri Krishna storehouse has silver and golden mills.

Apart from that, the Shakghar milkboth and the outlets having roses, betel leaf, sweets and clothes as well as the gardens are worth a visit. The temple has three entrances. The first is through the red door at Chaupati from where the Govardhan worship place can be reached.

Surajpol is an entrance excludively for women and leads to Kamal Chowk through Singhpol. Various religious festivals are celebrated at the temple like Janmashtmi, Phooldol and Diwali. The annakootritual is famous worldwide where cooked rice is hurled at the devotees after the ceremony and is 'looted' by them. This important pilgrim centre is well connected by rail and road.