Shree Dwarkadhish Temple Dwarka,Gujarat
The, also known as the Jagat Mandir and occasionally spelled Dwarakadheesh, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Krishna, who is worshiped here by the name Dwarkadhish, or ‘King of Dwarka’. The temple is located at Dwarka city of Gujarat, India, which is one of the destinations of Char Dham, a Hindu pilgrimage circuit. According to tradition, the original temple was believed to have been built by Krishna’s grandson, Vajranabha, over the hari-griha (Krishna’s residential place). The original structure was destroyed by Mahmud Begada in 1472, and subsequently rebuilt in the 15th-16th century, in the Māru-Gurjara style.
The temple became part of the Char Dham pilgrimage considered sacred by Hindus in India. Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th century Hindu theologian and philosopher, visited the shrine. The other three being comprising Rameswaram, Badrinath and Puri. Even today a memorial within the temple is dedicated to his visit. Dwarakadheesh is the 98th Divya Desam of Vishnu on the subcontinent, glorified in the Divya Prabandha sacred texts. it was rebuilt by Raja Jagat Singh Rathore.The temple is at an elevation of 12.19 metres (40.0 ft) above mean sea-level. It faces west. The temple layout consists of a garbhagriha (Nijamandira or Harigraha) and an antarala (an antechamber).However, the existing temple is dated to 16th century.
It is Mathura’s most beautiful temple known throughout the country for its ornate construction and murals. Lord Dwarkadheesh, a form of Lord Krishna known as Dwarkanath, sits like a black marble idol in the shrine.
There are a plethora of stunning ceiling paintings depicting various elements of the Lord’s life. In addition, the beautiful Rajasthani architectural patterns and craftsmanship make the complex appear even more majestic. The Dwarkadhish temple offers you several exciting activities that increase during the Shravan month when Lord Krishna cradles inside a Hindola (a type of a swing set). It is one of the most visited temples in Mathura. Thousands of visitors gather here every day to pay their respects to Lord Krishna.
The central temple premise does not allow cameras, mobile phones, and other electronic equipment. You have to deposit it at their baggage counter or leave it at your hotel. Most devotees offer flowers to the Lord, Tulsi (holy basil) leaves, and bhog (sweet and savory food items).
You can access the temple by one of the two gates. Once inside the two-story temple premise, you can see a large courtyard with pilgrims from every corner of the world gathering and honoring the Lord.
Seth Gokul Das Parikh, an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, built the Dwarkadhish temple in 1814..
The sanctum curtains open before the Shringar Aarti, and the priests dress up the Krishna deity. The curtains open with a loud ringing of the bell, revealing the Lord, clothed in his favorite yellow kurta and blue dhoti. He is adorned with gorgeous decorations and fragrant flowers and flanked on all sides by his queens, Satyabhama and Rukmini.The priests show Him His reflection in a mirror before the aarti begins as part of the prayer process. At the same time, the thunderous shouts of ”Jai Shri Krishna’ start to resonate in the temple chamber. After the aarti, the devotees proceed to the circumambulation or parikrama. Many worshippers sit in the sections weaving floral garlands for the main deities. On one side of the temple, there is a bhajan troupe (mandali), who gather to chant songs of the Lord.
Vishram Ghat is a sacred place on the banks of the holy River Yamuna and around five mins from the temple gate. The Yamuna aarti is a pleasure to watch. It is organized before the first darshan of the day (6:00 AM) and after the last darshan (7:30 PM).
