History of Dwarkadhish Temple

Constructed in the Chalukya style, the Dwarkadhish Temple, or Jagat Mandir, in Dwarka, Gujarat, honours Lord Krishna. The settlement dates back to the Kingdom of Dwarka, mentioned in the Mahabharata, and was established in the fourth century BC. The five-storey main shrine of the temple was built with limestone and sand. The 2,200-year-old piece of architecture is thought to be the work of Vajranabha (Lord Krishna’s great-grandson) who erected it on land that Lord Krishna reclaimed from the sea. The ancient dynasties that once dominated the area left their mark on the temple’s sculptural details, including a stunning black Krishna figure. Other shrines in the temple honour Subhadra, Balarama and Revathy, Vasudeva, Rukmini, and a host of other Hindu deities.

About Dwarka Temple

The Dwarkadhish Temple (also known as Dwarka Temple) is the most visited attraction in the city of Dwarka. The original temple has been repaired several times. The temple is situated on a tiny hill. One has to climb over 50 stairs to reach it. The sanctum, which houses the principal Krishna deity, is surrounded by intricately-sculpted walls. Other little shrines can be seen scattered throughout the site. The fantastic figures and legends adorning the walls have been expertly carved.

At the centre of a majestic 43-metre-high tower, a flag made with 52 yards of cloth flutters gently in the gentle breeze coming from the Arabian Sea, which can be seen behind the temple. The temple’s entry and exit are accessible via two doors (Swarg Dwar and Moksha Dwar). Sudama Setu, a bridge at the temple’s foot that spans the Gomti creek and goes to the beach, is also a must-see. The temple is open for visitors from 7 am to 1 pm on weekdays and from 4 pm to 7.30 pm on the weekends.

History of Dwarka Temple

According to local legend, the temple structure is supposed to have been constructed above Krishna’s residence called Hari-Griha by Vajranabha. As a result, it is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is known as the Lord of Dwarka. The temple is one of the Char Dham sacred pilgrimage destinations of Hindus. The others are Rameshwaram, Badrinath, and Puri. Adishakaracharya, a theologian and philosopher who lived in the eighth century, was responsible for the establishment of the Sharda Peeth at this location. According to the Divya Prabhanda writings, the Dwarkadhish temple is the 108th Divya Desam of Shri Vishnu globally, and it is, therefore, honoured in the texts.

The architecture of Dwarkadhish Temple

A combination of stone and sand was used to construct this remarkable temple. A beautifully-carved spire atop the five-storey tower rises to a height of 78.3 metres and supports the structure. Around 72 pillars support the tower. The cloth flag mentioned above features Shikhar the eagle and attracts the attention of onlookers. The sun and moon motifs on the temple’s flag symbolise Lord Krishna’s kingship over the temple. So legend says the temple’s flag must remain flying as long as the sun and moon can be seen in the sky. The two gates, Swarg Dwar (through which pilgrims arrive) and Moksha Dwar (through which pilgrims exit), enhance the beauty of the temple, which consists of a vestibule, a sanctum, and a rectangular hall with porches on either side. There is also a temple dedicated to the goddess Parvati. To get to the banks of the Gomti river from the south entranceway, you need to climb down 56 steps.

Legend of the Idol of Lord Dwarkadhish

A devotee of Lord Dwarkadhish, Badana made it a point to visit the shrine daily from Dakor in Gujarat. Her dedication pleased Lord Dwarkadhish, so they set off together for Dakor. An irate shrine priest went after Badana to reclaim the idol. In exchange for gold, however, Badana was able to persuade the priest. The idol was just the weight of Badana’s nose ring because Lord Dwarkadhish had just that to spare. It is also said that the Lord had convinced the priest that they would find a copy of the idol one day for him. Dwarka is home to that idol.

Legend of Rukmini’s Shrine

Dwarka Temple is said to have been created on the land reclaimed from the sea by Lord Krishna. Sage Durvasa, during one of his visits to Krishna and Rukmini, expressed his desire to see their palace. Rukmini requested water as they were about to start the journey. Krishna dug a fabled hole which brought the Ganga to the spot where they were standing. Sage Durvasa was enraged by this and cursed Rukmini to remain in the same place. The temple has a shrine at this location.

Conclusion 

The Dwarkadhish Temple is a sacred site on the Gomati coast of India. The Archaeology Department estimates that this temple is more than a millennium old. Jagat Mandir, or Trilok Sundar, is the main temple in Dwarka. Originally thought to have been constructed by Vajranabh, Lord Krishna’s great-grandson, it is a magnificent monument that rises majestically out of the Arabian Sea.