Shree Dwarkadhish Temple

Introduction to Shree Dwarkadhish Temple

Shree Dwarkadhish Temple is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage spots. This large and ancient temple is in Dwaraka, Gujarat. Dwaraka is historically considered the capital of Krishna during his reign. Except for temples, the entire city eventually submerged under the sea. It lies on the banks of the River Gomati, Saurashtra. It is otherwise called Jagat Mandir. Shree Dwarkadhish Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Vaishnavites.

Legend of Shree Dwarkadhish Temple

According to the origin story of Dwaraka, Krishna's uncle Kansa was the ruler of Mathura. Jarasandha, his father-in-law, influenced him greatly. Also, Kansa threatened and tortured the people of Mathura. Kansa was ruthless towards people, and Krishna eventually killed him. When Kansa was killed, Jarasandha was enraged. So, he invaded Mathura many times, but his attempt was unsuccessful. Simultaneously, the Yadava clan met with huge losses. So, Krishna decided to move them elsewhere.

He wanted to rule and protect the Yadava clan. So, Krishna invoked Vishwakarma (the divine architect) and asked him to build a new city. Vishwakarma said it was possible to make the city if Samudra Deva (God of the Sea) offered them land. So, Krishna worshipped the Sea God, who eventually gave him 12 Yojanas (773 sq km) of land. Finally, Vishwakarma built the city of Dwarka for Krishna.

The Architecture of Shree Dwarkadhish Temple

As per the mythology, Vajranabha, the great-grandson of Krishna, constructed the Shree Dwarkadhish Temple and dedicated it to Ranchhodrai 2500 years ago. It is said that Vajranabha built the temple over the land reclaimed from the sea by Krishna.

Later, many rulers reconstructed it many times following deluges and wars. The present structure of Shree Dwarkadhish Temple was constructed in the 15th -16th century with granite and soft limestone. It is in the Solanki architectural style.

The Shree Dwarkadhish Temple lies on a small hill. Devotees climb over fifty steps to reach the temple.

The Shree Dwarkadhish Temple, a five-storey building, stands on 72 limestone pillars. The main structures are a vestibule, a sanctum, and a rectangular hall. It has porches on three sides. The Shree Dwarkadhish Temple has two gateways; the entrance is Moksha Dwara (Door to Salvation) in the north; Swarga Dwara (Gate to Heaven) in its South is the exit.

Vimangrih, Bhadra Peeth, Ladva Mandap, and Ardha Mandap are the four sections of the temple. Every temple wall is carved with images of elephants, celestial beings, dancers, and musicians.

It also has three parts - the Prakash Garh (Nij Mandir), Sabhagrah, and the Shikhara. The Shikhara is 157 feet high. Additionally, there are two Shikharas, namely the Nij Shikhara and the Ladwa Shikhara, present in the temple. The Nij Shikhara is a five-storied Shikhara that houses the main deity Krishna in the sanctum. Devotees worship the 2.25-foot-high carved black stone idol of Krishna in the Shree Dwarkadhish Temple. He faces the west direction.

The spire of the Shree Dwarkadhish Temple is 43 m high.
Kusheshwar Mahadev temple and Dwarka Mutt are inside the temple complex. Subhadra, Balarama, Devaki, Radha Krishna, Revati, Vasudeva, Amba Ji, and Rukmini have separate shrines in the Shree Dwarkadhish Temple. The Samadhi of Shankaracharya is in the form of Paduka.

The Dhwaja - The flag atop the spire is unique and sacred. The flag, or Dhwaja, is made of 52 yards of cloth. It flutters in the soft breeze. Each of the 52 small flags is woven in a yard of cloth. Each yard represents the entrance to the ancient city of Dwarka.

According to the scriptures, 56 administrators handled the administration of Dwaraka. Krishna, Balram, Pradyuma, and Anirudh were four of them. They are still worshipped here and are not touched by the sea. However, the flag acts as a memorial to the remaining 52 people. The temple changes the colors of the flag every day.
Sudama Setu is a pedestrian suspension bridge at the temple's base that takes visitors across the Gomati River towards the beach.

Festivals in Shree Dwarkadhish Temple

Krishna Janmashtami, which marks the birth of Krishna, is the most important festival in Shree Dwarkadhish Temple. Thousands of pilgrims throng to attend this grand occasion. Dussehra, Vaman Jayanti, Ratha Yatra, Rama Navami, Holi, Vasant Panchmi, Makar Sankranti, Annakoot Utsav, Akshaya Tritiya, and Tulsi Vivah are other festivals in the temple.