Updated May 25, 2023
About Dwarkadhish Temple
Lord Krishna, the devout of many Hindus, is known as Dwarkadhish. He was the king of a town, Dwarka, around 5000 years ago, which submerged under the sea as per mythology. Doesn’t this excite you to visit this temple with its intriguing history? Dwarkadhish temple in Gujarat, India, has been an emblem of the rich cultural diversity for a long time. You can witness the grandeur of this Dwarkadhish temple once you visit it.
History of the Temple
Dwarka is one of the dams among the Char Dhams, along with Puri, Rameshwaram, and Badrinath. According to popular mythology, Lord Krishna established the Dwarkadhish temple around 2500 years ago. However, his grandson later built it.
The backdrop of the city is scenic and spiritual, with the Gomti river and Arabian sea. Legends tell the story of the submergence of the Dwarkadhish temple six times earlier, and the one at present is the seventh avatar.
Historians attribute the destruction of the original temple to a medieval ruler in 1472, but it was restored and magnificently honored by Adi Shankaracharya. What could be more exhilarating than witnessing the temple rise again and again?
Architecture of Dwarkadhish Temple
Dwarkadhish temple is an age-old temple that has stood the test of time; you must be wondering what the secret material and design of the temple are.
The Dwarkadhish temple was constructed in the famous northern style of temple architecture known as the Nagara style. Limestone was utilized as the primary material for the temple, particularly for the sanctum sanctorum, known as the garbha griha, where the deity resides and receives daily worship from devotees.
The height of the Shikara is 80m or 250 ft high and is visible from miles away. It is one of the ancient temples with an antique structure made with precision. It is like a modern 25-storey building.
The fine details on the walls and ceilings indicate the dedicated work of artisans. The mandapa of the Dwarkadhish temple is magnificent and carved out from a single stone.
Two Entrance Gates in Dwarkadhish Temple
Moksha Dwara and Swarg Dwara are the names of the temple’s north and south entrances, respectively. You’ll appreciate the vocabulary of the two doors if you know what Moksha and Swarg mean.
From the Gomti Ghats, there are 56 stairs leading to the temple on the Swarg Dwara side. Some oral traditions claim that the 56 steps stand for 56 Koti or 56 Crore Yadavas, but we wonder if the population was that large.
There is a widespread belief among Hindus that you pay for your karma in the same life or the next life. The ‘dwarfs’ are representative of bad and good karma.
Ceremonies at the Temple
The Dwarkadhish Temple has a rigid daily schedule with numerous ceremonies performed throughout the day. Aartis, darshans, and bhogs are all available. Worshipping the deities entails presenting food and opening the doors so devotees can speak with them.
The deity’s Shringar is altered during the day. Every time the worshippers visit him, the deity changes appearance: his attire, the background, the jewels, and more all change. The Shringar is much more elaborate on special days.
No matter which way you turn to view the Dwarkadhish temple, you must recognize the enormous flag perched atop its Shikhara. The flag at the temple undergoes five changes throughout the day: two times in the evening and three times in the morning.
It is a significant ritual, not just a flag change. The family sponsoring the flag fed the Dwarka Brahmins, who then performed grand Puja.
How to Reach Dwarkadhish Temple?
Reaching the Dwarkadhish temple is very convenient. There are various means of transport to reach the temple. There are two nearest airports to the temple at Porbandar(90 km) and Jamnagar(145 km); you can choose any as per convenience.
The temple boasts excellent connectivity with roadways and railways. The nearest railway station is just 1 km from the temple.
Timings of Temple
Various events at the temple take place at different hours of the day. You can check the timings below before planning your visit to Dwarkadhish temple.
- Mangal aarti – 6.30 am, distribution of Makhan Mishri Prasad.
- First Darshan – 7.00 am to 8.00 am.
- Darshan – 8.00 am to 1 am, with darshan breaks from time to time.
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