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{{short description|Temple dedicated to Krishna in Gujarat, India}}
{{for|Mathura temple|Dwarkadheesh temple Mathura}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| image = Dwarkadheesh temple.jpg
| alt =
| caption = The temple sikhars with the entrance in front
| deity = [[Dwarkadheesh Krishna]]
| festivals = [[Janmastami]]
| map_type = India Gujarat
| map_caption = Location in Gujarat
| coordinates = {{coord|22|14|16.39|N|68|58|3.22|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Gujarat]]
| locale = [[Dwarka]]
| elevation_m =
| website =
}}
{{Char Dham}}
{{Vaishnavism}}
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.<ref>{{cite book|author=S. R. Rao|title=Marine Archaeology of Indian Ocean Countries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bgYIAQAAIAAJ|date=1988|publisher=National Institute of Oceanography|isbn=8190007408|pages=18–25|quote=The Kharoshti inscription in the first floor of Sabhamandapa of Dwarkadhish Temple is assignable to 200 BC. [...] Excavation was done by the veteran archaeologist H.D. Sankalia some twenty years ago on the western side of the present Jagat-Man- dir at Modern Dwarka and he declared that the present Dwarka was not earlier than about 200 BC.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=L. P. Vidyarthi|title=Journal of Social Research,Volume 17|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JuUKAAAAIAAJ|date=1974|publisher=Council of Social and Cultural Research|page=60|quote=Inscription in brahmi found in the temple supports the fact of its construction during the Mauryan regime. Apart from this beginning, the pages of history of Dwarka and Dwarkadhish temple are full of accounts of its destruction and reconstruction in the last 2000 years.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Alok Tripathi|title=Remote Sensing And Archaeology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NCBmAAAAMAAJ|date=2005|publisher=Sundeep Prakashan|isbn=8175741554|page=79|quote=In 1963 H.D. Sankalia carried out an archaeological excavation.. at Dwarkadheesh temple at Dwarka to solve the problem. Archaeological evidences found in this excavation were only 2000 years old}}</ref> The temple was enlarged in the 15th- 16th century.<ref>1988, P. N. Chopra, "Encyclopaedia of India, Volume 1", page.114</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Rao|first=Shikaripur Ranganath|title=The lost city of Dvārakā|date=1999|publisher=Aditya Prakashan|isbn=978-8186471487}}</ref> The Dwarkadhish Temple is a [[Pushtimarg]] temple, hence it follows the guidelines and rituals created by [[Vallabhacharya]] and Vitheleshnath.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

According to tradition, the original temple was believed to have been built by Krishna's grandson, Vajranabha, over the hari-griha (Krishna's residential place). The original structure was destroyed by [[Mahmud Begada]] in 1472, and subsequently rebuilt in the 15th-16th century.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} The temple became part of the ''[[Char Dham]]'' pilgrimage considered sacred by [[Hindus]] in India. [[Adi Shankaracharya]], the 5th century BCE Hindu theologian and philosopher, visited the shrine. The other three being comprising [[Rameswaram]], [[Badrinath]] and [[Puri]]. Even today a memorial within the temple is dedicated to his visit. Dwarakadheesh is the 98th [[Divya Desam]] of [[Vishnu]] on the subcontinent, glorified in the ''[[Divya Prabandha]]'' sacred texts. it was rebuilt by Raja Jagat Singh Rathore.{{Sfn|Bandyopadhyay|2014|p=71}} The temple is at an elevation of {{Convert|12.19|m}} above mean sea-level. It faces west. The temple layout consists of a [[garbhagriha]] (''Nijamandira'' or ''Harigraha'') and an [[antarala]] (an antechamber).{{Sfn|Paramāra|1996|p=87}} It is conjectured that this temple location is 2,500 years old where Krishna had built his city and a temple. However, the existing temple is dated to 16th century.


==Legend==
As per [[Hindu]] legend, Dwarka was built on a piece of land by Krishna that was reclaimed from the sea. Sage [[Durvasa]] once visited Krishna and his wife [[Rukmini]]. The sage wished that the pair took him to their palace. The pair readily agreed and started walking with the sage to their palace. After some distance, Rukmini got tired and she requested some water from Krishna. Krishna dug a mythical hole that brought in river [[Ganga]] to the place. Sage Durvasa was furious and cursed Rukmini to remain in the place. The temple where Rukmini's shrine is found, is believed to the place where she stood.<ref name=legend>{{cite book|title=Temples of India Myths and Legends|publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India|location=New Delhi|editor1-last=S.|editor1-first= Manjula|last=Bhoothalingam|first=Mathuram|year=2016|pages=87–91|isbn=978-81-230-1661-0}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Dwarakadheesh temple, Dwaraka.jpg|left|200x200px|thumb|Stairs leading up to the main entrance of the temple]]
The town of [[Dwarka]] in [[Gujarat]] has a history that dates back centuries, and mentioned in the [[Mahabharat]] epic as the [[Dwaraka Kingdom]]. Situated on the banks of river Gomti, the town is described in legend as the capital of [[Krishna]]. Evidence such as a stone block with script, the way the stones were dressed showing that dowels had been used, and an examination of anchors found on the site suggest that the harbour site dates only to historical times, with some of the underwater structure being late Medieval. Coastal erosion was probably the cause of the destruction of what was an ancient port.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Gaur|first=A.S.|author2=Sundaresh and Sila Tripati|title=An ancient harbour at Dwarka: Study based on the recent underwater explorations|journal=Current Science|date=2004|volume=86|issue=9}}</ref>

Hindus believe that the original temple was constructed by Vajranabh, the great grand son of Krishna, over the residential palace of Krishna. It was destroyed by Sultan [[Mahmud Begada]] in 1472.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

The current temple in [[Māru-Gurjara architecture|Chaulukya style]] was constructed in 15-16th century. The temple covers area of 27-metre by 21-metre with east–west length of 29-metre and north–south width of 23 metres. The tallest peak of the temple is 51.8 m high.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

==Religious importance==
{{anchor | Yatra | Parikarma | Pilgrimage | Dwarka yatra | Davarka yatra | Dwarka parikarma | Davarka parikarma }}
{{see | 48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra | Vraja Parikrama | l2= Braj parikarma of Mathura | Hindu pilgrimage sites in India}}
[[File:Dwarkadhish Temple 20.jpg|thumb|Dwarkadhish Temple near Gomti river, Dwarka]]

Since this site is associated with the ancient city of [[Dvārakā]] and the [[Vedic era]] Krishna of [[Mahabharata]], it is an important place of [[pilgrimage]] for [[Hindu]]s. It is one of 3 main pilgrimage sites related to ''"Krishna"'' circuit, namely ''[[48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra]]'' in [[Haryana]] state, [[Vraja Parikrama|Braj Parikarma]] in [[Mathura]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]] state and ''Dwarka Parikrama'' (Dwarkadish Yatra) at Dwarkadhish Temple in [[Gujarat]] state.

The flag atop the temple shows the sun and moon, which is believed to indicate that Krishna would be there till Sun and Moon exist on Earth.<ref name="indianmirror1">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianmirror.com/temples/dwarkadish-temple.html |title=Dwarkadish Temple, Dwarkadish Temple Dwarka, Dwarkadish Temple in India |publisher=Indianmirror.com |access-date=4 March 2014}}</ref> The flag is changed up to five times a day, but the symbol remains the same. The temple has a five-story structure built on seventy-two pillars. The temple spire is 78.3 m high.<ref name="indianmirror1"/><ref>{{cite book|author=Hiralaxmi Navanitbhai|title=Gujarat- Volume 2 of Smt. Hiralaxmi Navanitbhai Shah Dhanya Gurjari Kendra Prakashan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g4oMAQAAMAAJ|date=2007|publisher=Gujarat Vishvakosh Trust|page=445}}</ref> The temple is constructed of limestone which is still in pristine condition. The temple shows intricate sculptural detailing done by successions of dynasties that ruled the region. The structure was not expanded much by these works.

There are two entrances to the temple. The main entrance (north entrance) is called "Moksha Dwara" (Door to Salvation). This entrance takes one to the main market. The south entrance is called "Swarga Dwara" (Gate to Heaven). Outside this doorway are 56 steps that leads to the Gomati River.<ref>[[#Chakravarti|Chakravarti 1994]], p. 140</ref> The temple is open from 6.00 am to 1.00 pm and 5.00 pm to 9.30 pm. The [[Krishna Janmashtami]] festival, or Gokulashtami, the birthday of [[Krishna]] was commissioned by Vallaba (1473-1531).<ref name="Ram">{{cite book|title=Hindu Pilgrim centres|last=Harshananda|first=Swami|isbn=978-81-7907-053-6|year=2012|publisher=Ramakrishna Math|location=Bangalore, India|edition= 2nd|page=87}}</ref>

According to a legend, [[Meera Bai]], the princess cum saint, a staunch devotee of Krishna merged with the deity at this temple.{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}} It is one of the Sapta Puri, the seven holy cities of India.{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|p=20-23}}

The temple is also the location of [[Dvaraka Pitha]], one of the four {{transl|gu|peeths}} (religious centers) established by [[Adi Shankaracharya]] (686-717) who pioneered unification of [[Hindu]] religious beliefs in the country. It is a four storied structure representing four {{transl|gu|peeths}} established by Shankaracharya in different parts of the country. There are paintings on the walls here depicting the life history of Shankaracharya while the dome has carvings of [[Shiva]] in different postures.{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}}{{Sfn|Bandyopadhyay|2014|p=71}}

==Structure==
It is a five storied edifice built over 72 pillars (sandstone temple with 60 pillars is also mentioned<ref name=Brit>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/174909/Dwarka|title=Dwarka|access-date=19 April 2015|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref>).{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}}{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|p=20-23}} The original temple had been built by Krishna's grandson over the Harigraha, the palace of Krishna. The temple has an assembly hall or audience hall.{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|p=20-23}} There are two important entrances to the temple, one is the main entry door which is called the ''Moksha Dwar'' (meaning "Door to Salvation") and the exit door which is known as the ''Swarga Dwar'' (meaning: "Gate to Heaven").{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|p=20-23}}

The main deity deified in the sanctum is of Dwarkadeesh, which is known as [[Trivikrama]] form of Vishnu and is depicted with four arms.{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|p=20-23}} On the chamber to the left of the main altar is the deity of [[Balarama]], elder brother of Krishna. The chamber to the right houses the images of [[Pradyumna]] and [[Aniruddha]], son and grandson of Krishna. In several shrines surrounding the central shrine there are idols of goddess [[Radha]], [[Rukmini]], [[Jambavati]], [[Satyabhama]], [[Lakshmi]],{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|p=20-23}} [[Devaki]] (Krishna's mother), Madhav Raoji (another name for Krishna), Jugal Swaroop (name for Krishna), [[Lakshmi Narayana]].{{Sfn|Bandyopadhyay|2014|p=71}}

The temple spire rises to a height of {{Convert|78|m}} and a very large flag with symbols of [[Sun]] and [[Moon]] is hoisted on it.{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|p=20-23}} The flag, triangular in shape, is of {{Convert|50|ft}} length. This flag is changed four times a day with a new one and [[Hindus]] pay a huge sum of money to hoist it by purchasing a new flag. The money received on this account is credited to the trust fund of the temple to meet the operation and maintenance expenses of the temple.{{Sfn|Bandyopadhyay|2014|p=71}}

==Awards==
The Dwarkadhish Jagat Mandir was awarded the certificate of "'''World Amazing Place'''" on 22 March 2021 by the ''World Talent Organization'', New Jersey, USA.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gujarati |first1=TV9 |title=Devbhumi Dwarka: દ્વારકાના જગતમંદિરને મળ્યું વર્લ્ડ અમેઝિંગ પેલેસનું સન્માન |url=https://tv9gujarati.com/gujarat/devbhumi-dwarka/devbhumi-dwarka-dwarkas-jagatmandir-gets-world-amazing-palace-honor-253162.html?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=WA&utm_campaign=social_share |access-date=23 March 2021 |work=Tv9 Gujarati |date=22 March 2021 |language=gu|trans-title=Devbhumi Dwarka: Dwarka's Jagatmandir honored with World Amazing Palace}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Shree Dwarkadhish Temple {{!}} World Talent Organization |url=https://www.worldtalentorg.com/worlds-amazing-place/shree-dwarkadhish-temple/ |website=worldtalentorg.com |access-date=23 March 2021}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Shri Keshavraiji Temple, Bet Dwarka]]
* [[Radha Damodar Temple, Junagadh]]
* [[Dwarkadheesh temple Mathura|Dwarkadheesh Temple, Mathura]]

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last= Bansal |first=Sunita Pant |title=Hindu Pilgrimage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F303Zb7EC0kC&pg=PT34|date=1 January 2008|publisher=Pustak Mahal|isbn=978-81-223-0997-3}}
*{{cite book|last= Bandyopadhyay |first=Deepak |title=Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xceTBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT71|date=11 June 2014|publisher=Rupa Publications India Pvt. Ltd 2014|isbn=978-81-291-3428-8}}
*{{cite book|last= Desai |first=Anjali H. |title=India Guide Gujarat|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gZRLGZNZEoEC&pg=PA71|year=2007|publisher=India Guide Publications|isbn=978-0-9789517-0-2}}
*{{cite book|last= Paramāra |first=Thomasa |title=Temples of Gujarat Built During the Mughal Period|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SNjVAAAAMAAJ|year=1996|publisher=Thomas B. Parmar}}
*[http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/20000714/ina14051.html UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site status, report on Indian Express newspaper website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090112151303/http://www.nio.org/projects/vora/project_vora_1.jsp Underwater remains near Dwarakadheesh temple, on website of National Institute of Oceanography]
*{{Cite book |last=Brockman |first=Norbert C. |title= Encyclopedia of Sacred Places |year=2011|publisher=ABC-CLIO, LLC |location=California |isbn=978-1-59884-655-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZNZ15Oow8XcC&q=char+dham&pg=PA94|ref=Brockman}}
*{{Cite book |last=Gwynne|first=Paul |title=World Religions in Practice: A Comparative Introduction|year=2009|publisher=Blackwell Publication |location=Oxford |isbn=978-1-4051-6702-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tdsRKc_knZoC&q=char+dham&pg=PT271|ref=Gwynne}}

==References==
{{reflist|40em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Dwarakadheesh Temple}}
* [http://www.dwarkadhish.org/ Official website]
* [https://jaibhole.co.in/temples/dwarkadhish-temple Detail about Dwarkadhish Temple] -- By Jai Bhole Official.
{{Krishna}}
{{Hindu temples in Gujarat}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dwarakadheesh Temple}}
[[Category:Hindu temples in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Krishna temples]]
[[Category:Char Dham temples]]
[[Category:Divya Desams]]
[[Category:Devbhoomi Dwarka district]]
[[Category:Monuments of National Importance in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Dwarka]]

Dwarkadhish Temple - Revision history

CleanupBot: Robot: Replacing encoded entity with character

Prince Man: General improvements and edits

>Kridha: Added See also section