SHRINATHJI TEMPLE

This sacred temple is home to a highly venerated idol. It is said to have been moved from Mathura, Krishna's birthplace, in the ^17th century, to protect it from the Mughals. The Muslim rulers showed no mercy, often razing Hindu temples to the ground as they passed. Sending Krishna to the heart of Rajasthan, guarded by proud Rajput warriors, reassured the faithful. The idol continues to attract devotees by the thousands, and the spectacle of their devotion is well worth the detour. Krishna is shown at set times during various ceremonies.

Mangla 5:30 am: Krishna wakes up

Shringar 7.15am: Krishna puts on his first outfit of the day

Gwal 9.15am : Krishna takes his cows to graze.

Rajbhog 11.15am : Krishna eats his first meal of the day.

Utthan 3:30 pm: Krishna falls asleep watching his cows and wakes up from his nap.

Bhog 4:30 pm: Krishna eats his second meal of the day.

Arti at 5pm: Krishna prays just after sunset.

Shyan 6:30pm: Krishna goes to bed.

Separate male and female devotees wait in separate rooms, in front of heavy, chased-silver doors. There is a third room for VIPs, which you can access by paying a fee to one of the many temple guards. In the women's room, you'll see elderly ladies busy peeling vegetables. These will be used for the priests' and guards' meals. A total of 3,600 people work in the temple, although not all are present at the same time. At the appointed hour, the doors open, starting with those of the VIPs, then those of the women. They are invited to take their seats in a tiered room from which the beautiful, richly-dressed black idol can be seen. People jostle to see and pray, raising their arms to the sky in celebration of Krishna. After 5 minutes, the men are invited to return, effectively chasing away the devotees already present. They then move to another room where a priest officiates, re-enacting the symbolic scene of Krishna being cradled by Vasudeva. A gondola covered in rhinestones and flowers swings as the priest passes a spinning top. It's a bit like a merry-go-round! The devotional ritual is then over, but you can of course buy milk or prasad, a kind of sweet bread. Normally, these serve as offerings to Krishna, who then redistributes them to devotees after prayers.

A visit to the Krishna temple is an incredible experience, combining fervor, mysterious rites and the exuberant joy of the pilgrims.