I will be known by the names of Shri Devdaman, Shri Indradaman or Shri Nagdamana.”
Shri Vallabhacharyaji traveled the lengths and breaths of India for almost 18 years of his life to propagate Hinduism. On one of such tours at Zarkhand, (in the year 1492) Lord Krishna appeared before him and said "I have appeared as Lord SHRINATHAJI on the mountain Goverdhan. I am eagerly awaiting you
r arrival.”
Shri Vallabhacharya immediately left for Goverdhan area. He stayed at the house of Sadu Pandey. He started climbing mount Goverdhan to meet SHRINATHAJI. Lord Krishna in the form of SHRINATHAJI knew that Shri Vallabhacharya has arrived there and was coming uphill to meet Him. He started descending and met Shri Vallabhacharyaji half way on this mountain. They greeted each other very warmly, meeting was very emotional. The incidence became known as PRATHAM MILAN (First Meeting). Six years after this historic meeting, Shri Vallabhacharyaji started constructing a temple for SHRI NATHAJI on top of the mountain Goverdhan. He appointed Priests (known as Mukhiajis), Singers, Musicians, Cooks, and Manager etc. to manage the Seva-worshipping- of Lord SHRINATHAJI. The sanctum of Shrinathaji was thrown open eight times a day at fixed intervals for Darshans which enabled devotees to see Him for a few moments. The rituals followed during daily worship were intended to evoke memories of Shri Krishna's childhood lilas (pastimes) at Vraj. Aurangzeb was a Muslim King and a cruel ruler in the areas of Vraj, Goverdhan etc. He was an anti Hindu and started destroying Hindu temples. SHRINATHAJI temple's safety was at stake and it was decided to relocate the Swaroop at some safer place. In the year 1669, the swaroop was transferred to a decorative chariot and a journey started. After traveling for almost two and half years, a new location was selected to sattledown. The place was in Rajasthan in the village of Sinhad. Actually it was a palace of the King of Udaipur, who was a great disciple of Shri Vallabhacharyaji. Shrinathji aagman at Nathdwara
मेवाड में पधारने पर रथ का पहिया सिंहाड ग्राम (वर्तमान श्रीनाथद्वारा) में आकर धंस गया, बहुतेरे प्रयत्नों के पश्चात भी पहिया नहीं निकाला जा सका, प्रभु की ऎसी ही लीला जान और सभी प्रयत्न निश्फल मान, प्रभु को यहीं बिराजमान कराने का निश्चय किया गया तत्कालीन महाराणा श्री राजसिंह जी ने प्रभु की भव्य अगवानी कर वचन दिया कि मैं प्रभु को अपने राज्य में पधारता हूँ, प्रभु के स्वरूप की सुरक्षा की पूर् जिम्मेदारी लेता हूँ आप प्रभु को यही बिराजमान करावें संवत १७२८ फाल्गुन कृष्ण ७ को प्रभु श्रीनाथजी वर्तमान मंदिर मे पधारे एवं भव्य पाटोत्सव का मनोरथ हुआ और सिंहाड ग्राम श्रीनाथद्वारा के नाम से प्रसिद्ध हुआ तब से प्रभु श्रीनाथजी के लाखों, करोंडो भक्त प्रतिवर्ष
श्रीनाथद्वारा आते हैं एवं अपने आराध्य के दर्शन पा धन्य हो जाते हैं।
श्रीनाथजी के दर्शन :
■प्रात - १.मंगला २. श्रृंगार ३.ग्वाल ४.राजभोग
■सायं ५.उत्थापन ६.भोग ७.आरती ८.शयन (शयन के दर्शन आश्विन शुक्ल १० से मार्गशीर्ष शुक्ल ७ तक एवं माघ शुक्ल ५ से रामनवमी तक, शेष समय निज मंदिर के अंदर ही खुलते हैं, भक्तों के दर्शनार्थ नहीं खुलते हैं ।
