Thiru Dwarakai Temple

Introduction

Thiru Dwarakai Temple, popularly known as Dwarkadhish Temple, is a grand temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is believed that the city of Dwaraka itself was founded by him, which remained as his capital, too. Also called Jagat Mandir, this temple is located right on the shore of the Arabian Sea on the west coast, in the coastal town of Dwarka (Dwarakai, in Tamil), in Gujarat state. Krishna is enshrined here as the presiding deity in the name Dwarkadhish, the king of Dwaraka, and his consort is queen Rukmini. Dwarka also remains one of the Char Dham temples, the four sacred places of pilgrimage of our land, and has been visited by many saints, including Adi Shankara, who set up a religious center here. Saint Meera Bai, an ardent devotee of Krishna, is believed to have merged with the Krishna idol here. It is a Sapta Puri, one of the 7 extremely holy centers of the land, too. It is traditionally believed that originally, the temple was built by Vajranabha, Krishna’s grandson, in the place where Krishna’s palace stood, whereas the present structure was put up in the 15th-16th century CE.

The Azhwar saints have sung the praise of Lord Krishna of this temple in their sacred Tamil hymns that form part of the Divya Prabhandham compositions. And this temple has been hailed as a Divyadesam, a chosen abode of Vishnu, with the name Thiru Dwarakai.

Temple Legends

The Puranas claim that Krishna established the city of Dwarka in the land reclaimed from the sea, with the help of the divine architect Viswakarma, and that he shifted his capital to this place from Mathura, in the present-day Uttar Pradesh. There is also a mythological story about Dwaraka. Once Sage Durvasa, known for his short temper, visited Krishna and his wife Rukmini somewhere in their land and requested them to take him to their palace. They readily agreed, and all the 3 were walking to the palace when Rukmini felt tired and thirsty and requested for some water. Krishna is said to have dug a hole in an instant and brought the holy river Ganga itself to quench her thirst. But the sage got offended, turned very angry, and cursed Rukmini to stay only in that place. There is a temple for Rukmini in Dwaraka, and that is said to be the spot where she stayed, then.

The History and Architecture of Thiru Dwarakai Temple

The temple is built near the mouth of river Gomati, where it flows into the Arabian Sea. It is a five-storied, west-facing grand structure, supported by as many as 72 pillars, and is built at 40 feet above sea level. Rebuilt by King Jagat Singh Rathore in limestone, the temple consists of a Garbhagraha, the sanctum sanctorum, and an antechamber. Though claimed to be more than 2000 years old, the temple as it exists today is about 5 to 6 centuries old. Dwarkadhish, the main deity in the central shrine, looks majestic with four arms. Balarama, Krishna’s elder brother, and Pradyumna and Aniruddha, his son and grandson, are in their shrines on both sides of the main shrine. The images of Lakshmi, Radha, Satyabhama, Jambavati, mother Devaki, and Lakshmi Narayana are also there in the temple. The temple has 2 entrances, the Swarga Dwar for entry, and Moksha Dwar for the exit.

The temple tower rises to more than 250 feet and has a large, triangular flag hoisted on it, with the images of the Sun and the Moon in it. This is said to convey the message that the Lord will remain there till the Sun and the Moon exist. This flag is changed with a new one, 4 times a day.

Bet Dwaraka is a small island to the north of Dwaraka, where Krishna is believed to have destroyed demon Shankhasura. There is also a temple for him at that place.

Temple Festivals

Janmashtami, Krishna’s birthday, is celebrated with immense devotion and enthusiasm on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha, the waning Moon phase in the month of Shraavana (July-August). Festivals like Diwali and Holi are also observed with traditional fervor.

Benefits of worshipping Dwarkadhish in Thiru Dwarakai Temple

There is a belief that offering worship to this Lord can relieve people from the eternal cycle of birth-death-rebirth, and lead them towards salvation. In this life, too, it can help them focus more on spiritual pursuits.