The Dwarkadhish temple, also known as the Jagat Mandir and occasionally spelled Dwarakadheesh, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god 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. The main shrine of the five-storied building, supported by 72 pillars, is known as Jagat Mandir or Nija Mandir. Archaeological findings suggest it to be 2,000 – 2,200 years old The temple was enlarged in the 15th- 16th century. The Dwarkadhish Temple is a Pushtimarg temple, hence it follows the guidelines and rituals created by Vallabhacharya and Vitheleshnath.
About The Place:
The main draw for tourists coming to Dwarka, the Dwarkadhish Temple (Jagat Mandir), is believed to have been established more than 2500 years ago by Lord Krishna’s great-grandson, Vajranabh. The ancient temple has been renovated several times, especially leaving imprints of the 16th and 19th centuries. The temple stands on a small hill accessed by 50 plus steps, with heavily sculptured walls that cocoon the sanctum with the main Krishna idol. Around the complex lie other smaller shrines. The walls have intricately carved mythical characters and legends. The impressive 43 m high spire is topped with a flag made from 52 yards of cloth that flutters in the soft breeze from the Arabian Sea behind the temple. There are two doors (swarg and moksh) for the entry and exit of the temple. A bridge called Sudama Setu (7 am–1 pm, 4–7.30 pm) at the base of the temple takes one across the Gomti creek towards the beach.
Brief History:
Dwarka on the western tip of the Kathiawar Peninsula is clubbed with the holiest sites in India – the Char Dhams which include Badrinath, Puri, and Rameshwaram. It is believed that Lord Krishna arrived here from Braj in Uttar Pradesh to build the city. The temple was established by his grandson. It is at the cusp of the Gomti River and the Arabian Sea, providing a scenic backdrop to the spiritual site. It is said that Dwarka was submerged under the sea six times and what we see now is its seventh avatar. The temple itself has a fascinating legend. The original structure was destroyed by Mahmud Begada in 1472 and subsequently rebuilt in the 15th-16th century. It was also feted by Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century Hindu theologian, and philosopher.
Checkout online Darshan of Dwarkadhish
Best time to visit: The best time to visit is between November and February, and during Janmashtami which is celebrated grandly here.
How to reach Dwarka temple:
- By Road: The city is well connected by robust state-run buses.
- By Train: The city is well connected by a robust rail network.
By Air: Porbandar (95 km) and Jamnagar (145 km) are the closest airports to Dwarka.
Tourist attraction in Dwarka:
1. Dwarkadhish temple
Dwarkadhish Temple also known as the Jagat Mandir, is a Chalukya styled architecture, dedicated to Lord Krishna. The town of Dwarka has its history dated back to the Kingdom of Dwarka in Mahabharata. The five-storied main shrines is grand and marvelous in itself constructed of limestone and sand. The 2200-year-old architecture is believed to be built by Vajranabha, who constructed it over the land reclaimed from the sea by Lord Krishna.
2. Nageswar jyotirlinga
One of the 12 famous self-existent temples, Nageshwara Jyotirlinga Temple too houses a curious myth about its origin. The giant, beautiful and artistic statue of Lord Shiva mesmerizes tourists and pilgrims alike with its aesthetic appeal. The temple is the hub of festivities on the eve of Shivratri when devotees turn up in enormous numbers.
3. Rukmani temple
A small structure is an important shrine dedicated to Krishna’s beloved consort, Rukmani Devi. Not as majestically gigantic, this shrine is an architectural masterpiece in itself. The rich paintings on the walls depicting Rukmini and Krishna are as old as the 12th century, and the intricate carvings on the walls leave the beholder spellbound.
4. Beyt Dwarka
A small island off the coast of Dwarka and accessed via Okha is home to the namesake temple, and supposedly the residence of Lord Krishna when he arrived here. The establishment of the temple is credited to Guru Vallabhacharya. Apart from the main temple, others in the complex commemorate Hanuman, Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi Narayan, Jambavati, Devi, and others.
Where to stay
Rooms in Dwarka or a Dharamshala in Dwarka near dwarkadhish temple can be booked on the YatraDham.Org. the website conveniently with an assurance of reliability. A Dwarka Dharamshala list which includes Many Dharamshala in Dwarka is near the temple. in Dwarka are among various options for the visitor.
Dharamshala Name | Images | Description | Book you stay |
Dwarka - Mathura Bhavan |  |
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Dwarka - YD Stay 50003 (Hotel Shri Ram Villa) |  |
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Dwarka - YD Stay 50002 (Hotel Gopal) |  | Dwarka YD Stay 50002 (Hotel Gopal) Located 300 meters from Dwarkadhish Temple, YD Stay 50002 | |
Dwarka - Gopibai Birla Guest House (Geeta Mandir) |  | Located 1 km from the Dwarka bus station, Gopibai Birla Guest House offers two-bedded rooms. The guest house is situated in a large compound | |
Dwarka - Shri Swaminarayan Bhaktidham (Near Railway Station) |  | Located 1.5 km from the Dwarka bus stand, Shri Swaminarayan Bhaktidham offers two and four bedded AC and non Ac rooms available |
