Dwarkadhish Temple
Dwarka, Gujarat
Dwarkadhish Temple, also called Jagat Mandir, is the main temple of Dwarka and is dedicated to Krishna as the 'King of Dwarka'. It stands on the bank of the Gomti, where the river meets the Arabian Sea. The five-storey shrine is held up by 72 pillars and is reached by a long flight of steps. Dwarka is one of the Char Dham and one of the Sapta Puri, so it is a must-visit for pilgrims.
What to see and do
- Have darshan of Krishna as Dwarkadhish in the main sanctum
- Attend one of the daily aartis, if the timings suit you
- See the carved spire and its large flag, which is changed several times a day
- Walk down to the Gomti Ghat from the temple's Swarg Dwar gate
Ideal for
- Devotees of Krishna
- Pilgrims on the Char Dham or Sapta Puri circuit
- Families and elders, as the temple town is easy to walk
Good to know
- Timings differ between sources, roughly 6:30 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9:30 pm, so check locally
- Phones and cameras are generally not allowed inside; lockers are available nearby for a small fee, so check on the day
- Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered; shoes are left outside
- Janmashtami is the busiest time, with very long lines
- Reports differ on the age of the present temple: tradition links the first shrine to Krishna's great-grandson Vajranabha, and the present building is largely from the 15th to 16th century
Spiritual significance
Dwarka is the city tradition links with Krishna's kingdom after he left Mathura. It is one of the four Char Dham and one of the seven Sapta Puri, and Dwarkadhish is its central shrine.
Why it matters
- Krishna's kingdom: the place tradition names as his capital by the sea
- Char Dham: the western dham of the four great pilgrimages
- Sapta Puri: one of the seven cities that grant liberation
- A living temple: daily aartis and flag changes continue as they have for centuries