SHREE DWARKADHISH TEMPLE
A temple dedicated to Krishna, one of the four sacred temples, its 5-storey structure is supported by 72 sculpted pillars.
Pilgrims flock to this temple dedicated to Krishna, who is revered here as Dwarkadheesh, the king of Dwarka. Built over 2500 years ago, the temple, also called Jagat Mandir, is said to have been built by Krishna's grandson Vajranabha on the very spot where Krishna resided. It is one of the four sacred temples (char dam), the Dwarkadhish Temple is the sacred temple in the west, the Badrinath Temple in the north, the Jagannath Temple in Puri in the east, and the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram in the south.
The present temple, of chalukya style, dates from the 15th and 16th centuries. Its structure, very original, rises on five floors and is supported by 72 richly carved pillars. Inside, the carvings were added by the different rulers who ruled the region over the centuries. The main tower, placed above the sanctuary, rises to 71 meters. At its top, a flag decorated with the moon and the sun is changed 5 times a day. The flag, always the same, means that Krishna will remain in Dwarka until the extinction of the moon and the sun. The shrine dedicated to Krishna is open only a few hours a day and devotees flock to pay homage and pray to the deity whose colorful clothes are changed at each darshan.
A staircase leads to the Gomati river which is used for ablutions and ritual purifications. The spectacle in the temple, the bazaar and the small adjacent temples is absolutely striking, it will take you several hours to fully appreciate this visit.