| When Lord Krishna was seven years old, he took the form of Shrinath
Ji. He lifted Govardhana mountain (near his birth place Mathura)
with his little finger and Govardhan swaroop (form) caine into existence.
The Vaishnavas (those who worshipped Lord Vishnu) became the followers
of Govardhanath, later migrated to Nathdwara in Rajasthan and established
Lord Krishna as Shrinath Ji. The sub-sect "Pushtimargiya Vaishnavas"
worship Shrinath Ji.
Shrinath Dhama is situated in the middle of other four Dhamas
(main places of pilgrimage). These Dhamas are Badri Nath in the
north, Rameshwaram or Rangnath in the south, Jagannath in the
east and Dwarika Nath in the west. Due to its location, Shrinath
Ji is very popular in Rajasthan, Guj rat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Shrinath Ji's form (swaroop) is black. He is in a standing form
with Govardhana mountain in the background. His right hand is
closed in a fist resting on his waist. It signifies that he has
captured all sins in his hand and he is ready to relieve us of
all our evils. His left hand is raised as if he is inviting all
of his followers with the message "1 am ready to relieve
you of all the life's miseries!"
As time wore on, Shrinath Ji adopted seven different swaroops
(forms). Nonetheless, The vaishnavas predominantly worship the
main Shrinath Ji swaroop.
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