My Mandir - Haveli

1. My Mandir - Haveli • The temple/mandir of Shrinathji is called a Haveli. • Haveli means a large house. • The temple is seen as the house of Nandrai and Yashodama, the adoptive parents of Krishna bhagwan; this is the house that Krishna lived in as a child. • On the top of the Haveli there is dome called a Shikhar and a flag, called Dhwaja. • The picture shows the outside of a Haveli.

2. My Mandir – Nij Mandir • The Haveli has rooms and area similar to ahome: • Nij Mandir is the name for the Living Room • Shaiya Mandir is the Bedroom • Kamal Chowk is the open Courtyard • Rasoi is the name for the Kitchen • Nij Mandir is the Prayer Room, where Thakurji is placed on a wooden platform or stage called Singhasan. • The Brahmin (person) chosen to do seva of Thakurji is called Mukhiyaji. • The Mukhiyaji is in charge of the seva of Thakurji from morning till night. • Kirtans or songs are sung in front of Thakurji. He is offered samagri (food), shringar (jewelry) and flowers by the Mukhiyaji.

3. My Mandir – Kamal Chowk • Vaishnavs are not allowed in the Nij Mandir. They do darshan of Thakurji from the Kamal Chowk, which is next to the Nij Mandir. • The picture shows the Kamal (flower)on the floor. This is the Kamal Chowk. • If Thakurji is there, then by his presence any building turns into a Haveli. • Before visiting the Haveli, all Vaishnavs must take a bath. While inside the Haveli, we must take off our shoes to show respect. • We bow and kneel in front of Thakurji and sit Indian-style on the floor while doing darshan.

4. My Mandir – Seva • Seva means to serve. Vaishnavs serve Thakurji as a servant. • Thakurji is thought of as a small child. • Yashodaji’s small child and is woken up nicely every morning; this is called the "Mangla" of Thakurji. • He is offered "Shringaar" (jewelry) - dressed up with beautiful clothes and ornaments. • He is offered "Samagri" (food); this is called "Rajbhog". After Rajbhog the Haveli is closed for about 4 hours in the afternoon. • The evening seva begins with offering of fruits. • Then the "Shringaar" is taken off of Thakurji, so he can get ready to sleep; this is called "Shayan".

5. My Mandir - Darshan • In short, Thakurji's daily routine right form getting up in the morning till going to bed at night are depicted in the 8 "Darshan" which open in a single day in a Haveli. • Darshan is when we as Vaishnavs can view Thakurji for a set time at the Haveli. • Names of 8 Darshans in a day and approximate timings • Mangla - 7 am • Shringar - 9 am • Gwal - 9:30 am • Rajbhog - 11 am • Utthapan - 4:30 pm • Bhog - 5 pm • Sandhya - 5:30 pm • Shayan - 6 pm

6. My Mandir - Quiz • What is a Mandir for Vaishnav called? • Who are Nandrai and Yashodama? • What is the name of the room where Thakurji is placed on a Singashan? • Who offers Shringar and Samagri to Thakorji? • What is Shringar? • What is Samagri? • What is the name of the darshan where Yashodama wakes up her small child nicely every morning?

7. My Mandir – Shringar - Pichhwai • Behind Shreenathji at the Haveli, there is a large cloth hanging that forms a background for Shreenathji. This is called Pichhwai. • Pichhwai means ‘at the back’. Similar to the Gujarati word – Pachhad (meaning back). • This large background is used daily and placed behind ShreeNathji. • Traditionally, pichhwais were painted on woven cotton cloth. Color pigments obtained from vegetables and minerals were then painted on the cloth with a brush. • Coton pichwai are used in the summer while Velvet and satin pichwai are used in winter. • Pichhwai can have pictures, showing a story from the life of Krishna. • Portraits of historical events connected with the Pushti marg are also popular. • Pichhwai creates a typical atmosphere for “utsav” (occasion) being celebrated (such as Holi, Diwali or the birth of Krishna).

8. My Mandir – Pichhwai Example