Dwarkadhish Temple, one of the Char Dham travels, is located in Dwarka in Gujarat. Dwarka is located on the banks of the river Gomti in Saurashtra. It had historically been considered the capital of Lord Krishna. Except for the temples, the city eventually sank into the sea. Dwarkadhish Temple timings are from 06:00 AM to 09:30 PM.
Dwarkadhish Temple
The main attraction for tourists visiting Dwarka is the Dwarkadhish Temple (Jagat Mandir), established over 2500 years ago by Vajranabh, the great-grandson of Lord Krishna.
The ancient Temple has been rebuilt several times, especially leaving impressions of the 16th and 19th centuries. The Temple is located on a small hillock with 50 steps, walls with huge sculptures and a sanctum sanctorum with a statue of Lord Krishna.
Significance
Dwarka is one of the Sapta Puri in Significance India. According to popular belief, the Dwarkadhish Temple is located on the original site of Hari – the abode of the planet Krishna. The Mahabharata says that It built the fort of Lord Krishna of gold.
The Pandavas spent their childhood playing there. The Temple is also part of the famous Pancha Dwarka tour.
Archaeologists have mined copper coins, boulders, pillars and pottery from underwater excavations in Dwarka.
Therefore, they concluded that there was a well-established city in the 2nd millennium. Also, explorations between 1983 and 1990 show that the city has six sectors. They stretched for a mile from the shore. Offshore research has uncovered evidence of 15th-century stone slabs, ports, and other building materials.
Therefore, it supports the existence of an ancient city in the time of Lord Krishna. Furthermore, the city’s layout mentioned in the ancient manuscripts matches the city excavated by the Marine Archaeology Unit of India.
Dhwajaji
The mast flag above the main Temple is unique and sacred. It is Adi Bhootik in nature. The Dhwajaji, or flag, was made of 52 yards of cloth. Fifty-two small flags are woven one by one in each yard of cloth. Each yard represents the entrance to the ancient city of Dwarka.
According to the scriptures, 56 administrators ruled the Dwarka. Four of them are Lord Krishna, Balaram, Pradyuma and Anirudhji.
These four had still worshipped in temples that did not touch the sea. For the remaining 52, however, the flag serves as a memorial—the colours of the flag change every day.
History
The main history of Dwarkadhish Temple is that according to the Brahmi script, the first reconstruction of the Temple took place around 100 BC. Later, in 800 BC, Sri Adi Shankaracharya visited the Temple and restored it.
Adishakti established a shrine on the fourth floor of the Temple. In 1241, Muhammad Shah attacked and destroyed the Temple. Five Brahmins fought with them and died.
So, the shrines near the Temple are for them. Local traders and rulers expanded the Temple in the 15th – 16th centuries. In 1965, the Pakistan Navy tried to attack the Temple but failed.
Gopi Lake is another interesting legend associated with Dwarka. According to the Puranas, Krishna did not return after leaving Mathura. The Mathura Gopis came to Dwarka to meet Krishna.
After many rasa leelas with Lord Krishna, they sacrificed their lives to the earth. Hence, the name of the lake was “Gopi Talav”.
Story of the origin of Dwarka
Lord Krishna’s uncle Kansu is the ruler of Madurai. His uncle, Jarasandha, influenced him greatly. Also, Kansudu tortured the people of Mathura by terrorizing them. Due to his cruelty to the people, Krishna eventually killed him.
Jarasandhu was furious when Kansu died. So, he invaded Mathura several times. However, he failed to incorporate it. However, the Yadava dynasty suffered heavy losses, and Lord Krishna decided to move them elsewhere.
Furthermore, there are two versions of how Krishna established the city of Dwarka. One states that Lord Krishna travelled on Garuda and reached the Saurashtra peninsula.
However, in the other version, Lord Krishna prayed to Vishwakarma (Lord of Construction). He asked to build a new city. Vishwakarma said it was possible to build a city if the sea god (sea god) gave them land.
Lord Krishna worshipped the God of the sea and gave him 12 plots of land. As a result, Vishwakarma built the city of Dwarka for Lord Krishna.
Architecture
It is on five floors and has 72 limestone pillars. It also consists of Prakashgarh (Nijmandir), Sabagra, and Shikhar.
The total height of the peak is 157 feet. Furthermore, the Temple has two peaks – the real and Ladwa peaks. The real peak is five floors.
The main deity is Lord Krishna. The Dwarkadhish Temple has two main entrances – the Moksha Dwar (Pilgrim’s Entrance) and the Swarg Dwar (Gate to Heaven).
Dwarkadhish Temple Timings
The following are the Dwarkadhish temple timings and the pooja and darshan timings.
| Pooja/Aarti (Morning And Evening Timings) | Timings |
| Mangla Arti | 6:30- 7.00 AM |
| Mangla Darshan | 7.00 AM to 8.00 AM |
| Abhishek Pooja [Snan Vidhi] | 8.00 AM to 9.00 AM |
| Shringar Darshan | 9.00 AM to 9.30 AM |
| Snanbhog | 9.30 AM to 9.45 AM |
| Shringar Darshan | 9.45 AM to 10.15 AM |
| Shringarbhog | 10.15 AM to 10.30 AM |
| Shringar Arti | 10.30 AM to 10.45 AM |
| Gwal Bhog | 11.05 AM to 11.20 AM |
| Darshan | 11.20 AM to 12.00 PM |
| Rajbhog | 12.00 PM to 12.20 PM |
| Darshan | 12.20 PM to 12.30 PM |
| Uthappan Bhog | 5.30 PM to 5.45 PM |
| Darshan | 5.45 PM to 7.15 PM |
| Sandhya Bhog | 7.15 PM to 7.30 PM |
| Sandhya Arti | 7.30 PM to 7.45 PM |
| Shayanbhog | 8.00 PM to 8.10 PM |
| Darshan | 8.10 PM to 8.30 PM |
| Shayan Arti | 8.30 PM to 8.35 PM |
| Darshan | 8.35 PM to 9.00 PM |
| Bantabhog and Shayan | 9.00 PM to 9.20 PM |
| Darshan | 9.20 PM to 9.30 PM |
| Darshan Mandir Closed | 9.30 PM |
Festivals Celebrated
Some of the festivals celebrated at the Temple are:
Janmashtami:
Krishna’s birthday was celebrated in a very solemn and spiritual manner. The ceremony consists of a series of pujas and rituals.
It starts from Mangala Aarti in the morning till Parna Rome the next day. They also anoint with basil and sandalwood throughout the day.
Annakoot Utsav:
This festival was celebrated on the first day of the month of Karthika. It involves making and offering a variety of candies to God.
Tulsi Vivah:
Today, Vishnu is married to Tulsi Devi. The festival begins on the 11th day of the month of Kartik. It lasts for four days.
Holi:
Lord Krishna’s favourite festival is the festival of colours.
Akshaya Thruthiya:
The third day of the month of Vaishakh is popularly known as Akshaya III. Today marks the beginning of summer.
The idol of Lord Krishna had been adorned with flowers and sandalwood instead of the usual attire. The festivities finally end on the 11th. Today is Bhima Ekadashi.
Rath Yatra:
A replica of Lord Krishna was placed in a chariot on the 2nd day of Ashwadh. The chariot then spins around the city. Today, Krishna and Balarama set out for Madurai on a chariot sent by Kansu.
On the same day, Krishna decided to become the driver of Arjuna’s chariot in Mahabharata.
Dwarkadhish Darshan Online Booking
Please note that the online booking option is unavailable to visitors, and tickets should only be available at the counter upon arrival. So, let the devotees know they will visit the Temple and book the tickets on arrival.
Dwarkadhish Darshan Online registration is not available. For more queries, please visit their official website.
How to reach?
Here is how to reach Dwarkadhish Temple:
By Air:
The nearest airport to Jamnagar is located at a distance of 137 km from the Temple.
By Road:
Direct state buses are available from Jamnagar, Gandhinagar, Porbandar, Rajkot and Ahmedabad.
By Train:
Regular trains from major cities like Jamnagar, Rajkot, Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore and Kochi are available.
Address
Shree Dwarkadhish Temple Dwarka: 361 335, Dist.: Jamnagar, Gujarat- India.
Temple’s official website.