Jagat Mandir - The Temple of Dwarkadheesh

Located in the heart of the city approximately two kilometers from Dwarka railway station, Jagat Mandir is the seat of Lord Sri Krishna’s main temple at Dwarka situated on the banks of river Gomati. It was called as Trailokya Sundar Jagat Mandir, the temple of the Universe during Sri Krishna’s era. The presiding deity Lord Sri Krishna represents the four armed form (Chaturbhuja) of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu known as Trivikrama with Kounch, Disc, Mace and Lotus (Shanka, Chakra, Gada, Padma) in his four arms. Seated in the centre of the altar on a silver throne, the Deity is called as Dwarkadheesh (Ruler of Dwarka) and also known as Ranchodrai. The 2.25 ft. height majestic, charming and fascinating idol of the Deity is black in colour with the sanctum sanctorum fully decorated.

The temple has two entrances. The main entrance (north entrance) is called “Moksha Dwar” (Door to Salvation) from where devotees enter the temple. This entrance leads to the main market. Other one, the south entrance is called “Swarga Dwar” (Gate to Heaven) with 56 steps leading down to the river Gomati where pilgrims exit. In view of its national heritage the temple entry is fully secured with every one entering the temple are required to pass through a security check. Carrying of Mobile phones and Cameras inside the temple is prohibited.

Legend behind the idol

It is said and believed that the original idol installed by Vajranabha has moved to a place called Dakor (50 km from Vadodara) where one can find a similar temple of Lord Sri Krishna called as Ranchodrai temple. As per the legend it is said that during 15th century an ardent devotee of Lord Sri Krishna, by name Badana used to come to Dwarka daily to have a glimpse of Lord Sri Krishna. Appeased with her devotion it is said that the Lord one day went along with her to Dakor and settled there. In its place a similar (replica) idol was installed at Dwarka that was found in the lake called Gomati Lake at Dakor. Only difference that we find between the two is that the eyes of the idol are fully open in the original one that is currently in Dakor while the one that is enshrined at Dwarka is with eyes half opened. It is so because, as per the directions given by the Lord to the priests of Dwarka, they were supposed to find a replica idle at Dakor on a particular day. Whereas the priests in their anxiety and inquisitiveness excavated the suggested site quite early and found an idol with eyes half opened.

Originally the Dwarkadheesh temple is said and believed to have been built by Vajranabha the great grand son of Lord Sri Krishna more than 2500 years back on the Hari Gruha, the erstwhile palace of Lord Sri Krishna in Dwarka. It was in an umbrella shape initially. Since then temple structure has undergone many changes. Currently called as Jagat Mandir also known as Nija Mandir, the 16th century old structure of the main temple is a glorious one exquisitely carved with the temple tower reaching a height of 52 meters.

Built in an area of approx 600 square meters the splendid Jagat Mandir situated on the banks of river Gomati at a height of 70 feet above the sea level has two gigantic towers. One with a height of 170 feet which is seven storied called as Ladwa Shikar and the other with a height of 157 feet which is five storied called as Nija Shikar. The idol of Lord Dwarkadheesh is enshrined in the Nija Shikar in the Sabha Mantap supported by 60 pillars. Construction of the chariot like temple is based on 72 exquisitely carved monolithic pillars built with granite and stone without any arch. The temple consists of a sanctum, vestibule and a rectangular hall with porches on three sides. A huge multi coloured majestic flag mounted on the top of the temple tower keeps flying always that can be seen from as far way as 10 km. The flag is made from 52 yards of cloth that is changed four times in a day.

Till today natural disasters have not caused any damage to the temple even though it is situated on the coast of Arabian Sea at the banks of Gomati River. It is said that Pakistan Air Force had made an unsuccessful attempt to bombard this temple during 1965 war.

The priests who conduct the pooja and other rituals in the temple are called as Aboti/Gugali Brahmins. The temple has a set of scheduled pooja and rituals performed every day starting from morning 7.00 am to night 9.30 pm with breaks in between. During the morning Aarati time at 7.00 am even the local residents also join the pilgrims to have a glimpse of Lord Sri Krishna when there will be a big rush in the temple. The occasion is worth seeing. Jagat Mandir is managed by a separate trust called Dwarkadheesh Devasthan Samithi comprising of representatives from local bodies, residents and bureaucrats with District Collector as its President. Number of pilgrims visiting the temple is increasing year by year. As per the temple sources more than five million people have visited the Jagat Mandir during the last financial year.

Other Temples at Jagat Mandir

Apart from the main temple of Dwarkadheesh there are many other temples surrounding it within the complex of Jagat Mandir. There is a temple to the right of the main Deity that contains the Deity of Lord Balarama, Sri Krishna’s brother. The temple to the left of the main Deity contains a large deity of Pradhyumna and a smaller deity of Aniruddha, the son and grandson of Lord Krishna respectively. Opposite this shrine is the shrine of Purushottama (Vishnu). The shrine across from Lord Dwarkadheesh (exactly opposite) holds the deity of Devaki, Lord Krishna’s mother. Next to her is a temple dedicated to Veni-Madhava (Lord Vishnu).

On the right hand side of the Moksha Dwar entrance, is Shri Kusheshwar Mahadev, Sathyanarayana temple and Navagraha temple. Moving ahead comes, a temple of Lord Krishna's family Goddess Ambaji (Durga). Going back to the Moksha Dwar entrance, to the left comes, the temple of Kashi Viswanath. Moving ahead are the temples of Sri Gayathri and Lord Dattatreya.

On the backside of Shri Dwarkadheesh temple is the temple of Sage Durvasa the family priest of the Lord Sri Krishna. To its back is the Patrani temple which is surrounded by various other temples including that of Jambavathi, Radhika with Lord Krishna, Laxmi Narayana, Sri Gopala Krishna, Sri Laxmi, Sathyabhama and Goddess Saraswati temple. Adjacent to the Patrani temple is Sri Sankaracharya Mutt.

The idol of goddess Shakti is at the fourth floor of Lord Dwarkadheesh temple. Due to security reasons all are not allowed to go to the upper floors of the temple complex. Only those who perform the Dwajaarohan Seva (Flag hoisting) are allowed to go to upstairs for hoisting the flag.

One can also find the temples of Lord Ganesha and Garuda inside the Jagat Mandir. There is also a snake bill near the Dwarkadheesh temple representing Balarama who was the avathara of Lord Adi Sesha.

Kusheshwar Mahadev Temple 

(Equal Partner in Dwarka's Pilgrimage)

In the Jagat Mandir temple premises, a temple of Kusheshwar Mahadev (Lord Shiva) near Moksha Dwar on the right side has significance of its own. Kusheshwar Mahadev is said to be the equal partner with the Lord Sri Krishna in Dwarka's pilgrimage and not having Darshan of Kusheshwar Mahadev is synonym of incomplete pilgrimage. The story of Kusheshwar Mahadev goes like this. There was a demon called Kush in the area long ago. The area was then called 'Kushasthali' a place of Kush under his influence. Everyone was scared of his devilish awe. People prayed to Lord Sri Krishna to free them from the clutches of Kush. Sri Krishna killed and crushed him till he went much below the ground beneath. Sri Krishna then set up a temple of his family Deity, Mahadev (Shiva) and hence the name Kusheshwar Mahadev. The specialty of the temple is that the Shiva lingam is installed 20 ft below the ground. Devotees offer prayers to Kusheshwar Mahadev and then go for Darshan of Sri Krishna.

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

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 DWARAKA KSHETHRA