Shree Dwarkadhish Temple

Dwarka Temple

Overview

Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as Jagat Mandir, is Chalukya style architecture, dedicated to Lord Krishna. The city of Dwarka has its history dating back to the Kingdom of Dwaraka in the Mahabharata. The main five-story sanctuary is large and wonderful in itself built of limestone and sand. The 2,200-year-old architecture is said to have been built by Vajranabha, who built it on land reclaimed from the sea by Lord Krishna.

The magnificent black idol of Lord Krishna seems so attractive that the faithful feel the presence of the Lord before them. The temple presents complex sculptural details made by the ancestral dynasties that ruled the region. There are other shrines in the temple which are dedicated to Subhadra, Balarama and Revathy, Vasudeva, Rukmini and many others. The faithful are expected to dive into the Gomti River before entering the temple through the Swarg Dwar. The eve of Janmashtmi is the most special occasion in any temple of Krishna, the temple of Dwarkadhish is adorned with thousands of worshipers chanting prayers and rituals. The sanctuary is a hive of color, voice and faith, transformed into inner silence and holiness.

History of Dwarkadhish Temple

An exciting history of the temple is in its history. According to tradition, it was built by Vajranabha (the grandson of Krishna) above Hari-Griha. Therefore, the Dwarkadhish temple refers to Lord Krishna, the Lord of Dwarka. The temple is considered one of the sacred pilgrimage sites of Char Dham among Hindus after Rameshwaram, Badrinath and Puri. It was after the visit of Adishakaracharya, the 8th century theologian and philosopher who established Sharda's teeth there. Dwarkadhish temple is the 108th Divya Desam of Shri Vishnu in the world which is glorified in the texts of Divya Prabhanda.

Legends of Dwarkadhish Temple

Legend of the Idol of Lord Dwarkadhish

Badana, a follower of Lord Dwarkadhish, visited the temple daily from Dakor. Satisfied with his devotion, Lord Dwarkadhish accompanied him to Dakor. The priest of the sanctuary enraged Badana, pursued her to recover the idol. However, Badana convinced the priests of the idol in exchange for gold. Lord Dwarkadhish worked a miracle, and surprisingly, the idol weighed only one ring in the nose, because Badana had only that to give. In addition, the lord convinced the priests that they would one day find a replica of the idol. There is still a rooted idol in Dwarka.

Legend of the Rukmini Shrine

Dwarka is believed to have been built by Krishna on land that was reclaimed from the sea. Once, when the sage Durvasa visited Krishna and his wife Rukmini, he strongly wished to visit their palace. While they were on their way, Rukmini got tired and asked for water. Krishna brought the Ganga river to where they were by digging a mythical hole. Furious at this, Sage Durvasa cursed Rukmini for staying where she stood. The place is now a sanctuary in the temple.

Also visit: Shore Temple, Mamallapuram

Architecture of Dwarkadhish Temple

The enchanting temple is made of limestone and sand. Its majestic five-story tower is supported by 72 pillars and a finely sculpted spire, 78.3 m high. He has a beautifully sculpted Shikhar that stands 42 m high with a flag made up of 52 meters of fabric. The flag is made up of symbols of the sun and the moon, personifying the reign of Lord Krishna on the temple, as long as the sun and the moon exist. The grandeur of the temple is enriched by the two footbridges Swarg Dwar (where the pilgrims enter) and Moksha Dwar (where the pilgrims exit) and includes a vestibule, a sanctuary and a rectangular room with porches on each side. Outside the south door of the building, 56 steps lead to the banks of the Gomti River.

Best Time To Visit Dwarkadhish Temple

Located at the mouth of the Gomti River, the Dwarkadhish temple in Gujarat is a famous place of pilgrimage. It was built over 2,500 years ago and is the most visited tourist site of the year. As the weather remains pleasantly warm in winter, the recommended visit period is from October to March.

The festivities at the temple take place during the Janmashtami, so you can visit in September to attend traditional rituals and celebrations.

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