History, Importance, Festival Celebration, Best Time to Visit, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Dwarkadhish Temple, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dwarkadhish Temple, one of the most attractive and most visited holy shrine of Mathura along with Shri Krishna Janmbhoomi Place is located near Vishram Ghat of sacred River Yamuna in Mathura, one of the Sapt Puri of India. Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Shri Krishna, the eight incarnation of Supreme Lord Shri Vishnu and one of seven holy cities of Sanatan Dharma, you can find thousands of devotee every day visits here around the year. Dwarkadhish temple is one of the oldest and huge temple of Mathura, built by Seth Gokul Das Parikh, the devotee of Lord Krishna and the treasurer of the Gwalior State in 1814. The temple is dedicated to Lord Dwarkadhish or Lord Krishna as king of Dwarka, as Shri Krishna had shifted Yadava capital from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh to Dwarka, Gujarat, for peace and happiness of people.
Dwarkadishi Temple is well known due to its beautiful architecture, carving and excellent paintings. The structure of the temple has the glimpse of local art and architecture influence by the Rajasthan style haveli. The interiors boast the excellent work of art, brilliant carvings and exquisite paintings. The main building of the temple is enclosed by delicately carved Rajasthani style entrance. Few steps lead to the huge courtyard where a platform has been founded in the center, which comprises of three rows of classily carved pillars. Devotee can enjoy the Darshan of beloved Lord Krishna from this courtyard and it is also used to perform the bhajan kirtan. You can observe lots of Vaishnava singing song and chanting Hare Krishna and Radhe Radhe in temple premise. Beautifully painted ceiling is supported by pillars. They key attraction of courtyard is Lord Krishna in the form of Shaligram or Girirajji or Govardhan hill, where devotee perform the Parikrama. Once you enter the center sanctum, you will be blessed with Darshan of Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. The 2.25 feet high idol of Lord Dwarkadheesh also known as Dwakanath is made up from shiny black stone. This idol has four hands carrying a mace, a Sudarshana Chakra, a conch and a lotus flower. Idol of Radha Rani has been made up from white marble. Apart from the image of Radha-Krishna, the shrine also has images of other Hindu deities as well in temple premise.
You must have to observe the beautiful painting on the walls and the ceiling of the courtyard during your visit here. The painting depicting the scene of the birth of Krishna and the divine Raas leela. Devotee performs the Parikrama of main sanctum where lots of pastimes of Bal Krishna are painted.
The Seva Puja of the temple was handed over to Girgharlal Acharya ji, the renowned Acharya of Pustimarga in 1930. The worship of the deity is still carried out in the tradition established by the Acharya. Temple is managed and maintained very weel by the followers of the Vallabhacharya sect. Devotee can offere several types of Seva and Bhog to beloved Lord Krishna here.
Shringar aarti is another key attraction here in temple when heave crowd of devotee observed every day. Several rituls are performed before aarti, like drawing of curtains over the sanctum followed by the dressing of the main deity. Colorful clothes, ornaments, attar etc. are used in dressup for Lord Krishna. Then devotee can blessed with darshan of beloved Lord Krishna in colourful costumes, flanked by his queens, Satyabhama and Rukmini. Then priest and devotee sing the aarti in such way that it will creat spiritual aura. At the same time with aarti, the priests hold a mirror to Lord Krishna’s statue which is important part of the ritual.
Shri Dwarkadheesh Mandir Mathura, Darshan and Aarti Timings
During Summer, below timings are followed
Morning Darshan Timings
Mangla 6:30 am to 7:00 am
Shringar 7:40 am to 7:55 am
Gwal 8:25 am to 8:45 am
Rajbhog 10:00 am to 10:30 am
Evening Darshan Timings
Utthapan 4:00 pm to 4:20 pm
Bhog 4:45 PM to 5:05 pm
Aarti 5:20 pm to 5:40 pm
Sayan 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm
During Winter, below timings are followed
Morning Darshan Timings
Mangla 6:30 am to 7:00 am
Shringar 7:40 am to 7:55 am
Gwal 8:25 am to 8:45 am
Rajbhog 10:00 am to 10:30 am
Evening Darshan Timings
Utthapan 3.30 pm to 3.50 pm
Bhog 4:20 PM to 4:40 pm
Sayan 6 pm to 6.30pm
Every festival of Sanatan Dharma is celebrated here in Dwarkadishi temple, Mathura with great zeal. But you can find different aura and lot of pomp during festivals like Holi, Janmashtami and Diwali. During these occasions thousands of devotee and tourists across the world visit here. Another important festival is ‘Hindola’ festival celebrated in the holy month of Shravan. This festival is also known as Swing festival or Jhoola festival when Bal Krishna is placed in decorated and colorful Hindola. Devotee can blessed with Darshana of Bal Krishna during this time.
Mllions of devotee across the world visits Mathura across the year, thus to facilitate them lots of Ashram, Dharmshala, Hotels, Guest House, Yatri Bhavan, Restaurants are built. Also you can easily find the public and private transport, auto rickshaw for the local sightseen and visit nearby Yatradham like Vrindavan, Barsana, Gokul, Jatipura, Govardhan Hill, Nandgaon etc.
How to Reach Dwarkadish Temple, Marhtua, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dwarkadish Temple is one of the most visited and highly importance holy place of Mathura. It is located in center of Mathura thus, easily accessible from any place of Mathura and nearby cities via public and private transport. Mathura being one of the major pilgrimage center, one of the Sapt Puri of Hinduism and tourist destination, of Uttar Pradesh where people across the world visits around the year. It is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Mathura has major railway junction from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Agra Airport and Delhi Airport are the nearest airport at distance of 60 and 170 respectively from Mathura. From where you can get flight to all major cities of India and across the globe. You can find private taxi and public transport as well from both airport to reach to Mathura. It is located at just 14 km from Vrindava, 10 km from Gokul, 48 km from Barsana, 25 km from Jatipura, 26 km from Govardhan hill, 58 km from Agra, 180 km from Delhi. You can get direct buses from Agra, Delhi etc. to reach Mathura.
