Importance of Dwarka in Sanatan Dharma
As per the Holy Scripture of Hinduism, Dwarka is the most important pilgrimage place of India. This is not just considering as Sapta Puri, seven sacred cities but also part of Char Dham, four divine places of India. The word Dwarka is combination of two word “Dwar” and “Ka”, Dwar means “Door or Gate” and Ka means “Brahm”, thus combined meaning of Dwarka is Gate to Moksh or Supreme Lord.
Dwarka is also known as Moksh Puri, the place from where devotee’s soul can meet to supreme soul,” Atma meets Paramatma “ or milan of Jeev and Shiv. The seven sacred Mokshpuri or Mokshdham of India are Ayodhya, Mathura, Kashi - Varansi, Haridwar, Dwarka, Kanchipuram and Avantika-Ujjain. The main sacred Char Dham of India are Badrinath in north, Rameshwar in south, Puri in east and Dwarka in west. Thus Dwarka has unique place on Hindu pilgrimage map of India and for Hinduism.
History and Significance of Dwarka and Dwarkadhish Temple – Jagat Madir - Dwarikadhish Temple, Dwarka, Gujarat
Dwarkadhish Temple also known as Jagat Mandir is located at the meeting place of Holy River Gomati and Arabian Sea at Dwarka, Gujarat. This most sacred temple is connected with the life of Lord Shree Krishna, the eight incarnation of Supreme Lord Shree Vishnu. More than 5250 years ago Demon King Kansh was ruler of Mathura and he had increased the Adharma on the earth. To maintain the Dharma, Lord Shree Krishna took birth in family of Vasudev and Ma Devaki, sister of Kansh.
Lord Shree Krishna killed demon king Kansh on the age of 11 years only at Mathura and released his father Vasudev, Mother Devaki and King Ugrasen, father of Kansh. After some time, Jarasangh, father in law of Kansh, started attacking on Mathura to take revenge. Jarasangh attacked on the Mathura seventeen times, and every time he was defeated by Shree Krishna and his army.
Even though he did not gave up and attacked 18th time on Mathura, this time Lord Shree Krishna and Yadav dynasty decided that to leave the Mathura as during each battle Yadav also suffered with many casualty. Lord Shree Krishna decided to move to other place and Dwarka was the place chosen by the Garuda, the divine eagle as this is far away from Mathura.
Lord Shree Krishna request the Vishvkarma the god of architecture to construct the capital for Yadav and requested Samudradev, god of sea to provide the land. Lord Sea was blessed and offer 12 yojan of land around 773 kms. Then Lord Shree Krishna established his kingdom at Dwarka and lived here for remaining life.
Architecture of Dwakadhish Temple, Jagat Mandir, Dwarka, Gujarat
The original temple of Lord Shree Krishna was constructed umbrella type monument by Vajranabhji, grandson of Lord Shree Krishna in east of Harimandir which remains as it is and not merged in sea. Then temple is reconstructed multiple times and attacked by invaders. Around 800 AD, values of Sanatan Dharma and Indian culture were fall down, thus Shreemad Adhyaguru Shankaracharya put up lots of efforts to reestablished core values on earth.
He renovated the Dwarkadhish temple and established the Adhyashakti at forth floor and thus one of the four Shaktipeeth built. Many other ruler like Minal Devi involved in renovation of temple. The present temple was constructed in around 15-16 century in Chalukya style structure. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, an idol of Lord Krishna has been placed on a silver plated throne. The idol has four arms.
Char Dham Yatra is completed only after the Darshan of Dwarkadheesh Temple in Dwarka. The tallest peak of the temple is around 170 feet high. It is seven stored temple rested on 72 pillar without use of wood and metals and circular arch. This structure is so unique and still stands against many storms, earthquake as it is. There are main two gate of the temple, one is Moksha Dwar, the main entrance of the temple and another is gate to heave, Swarg Dwar at south side which leads to Holy River Gomati.
The wall and pillar of temple are carved with elephants, dancers, musicians etc. In 1970-80, the area of temple was cleared and excavated one by one. During this 9th century shrine of Lord Shree Vishnu, 12th century pillar were discovered and these re-enforced the belief that Dwarka is not mythical city. Evidence of Life of Lord Shree Krishna and Mahabharata found which backed to around 1700 BC.
Characteristics and Uniqueness of Dwarkadhish Temple Flag
Flag also known as Dwaja hosted on top of flag pillar which is 20 feet high. Hosting of Dwaja is important rituals of Vaishans and devotees. 52 yard or Gaj Dhwaja is used to flag on the Dwarkadhis Temple. It has its unique significance, Administration of Dwarka was run by 56 koti yadavs during time of Lord Shree Krishna. It indicates fifty-six divisions of administration, out of fifty six administrators’ Balram, Lord Shree Krishna, Pradhumna & Anirudhji are incarnation of god. This is known as Chaturvyuh and considered as donor of purushartha, dharma, aarth, kama & Moksha of human life. If four of them are deducted from 56 administrators then remaining are 52. Thus to remember this, the Dhwajaji is 52 yards in length.
Another myth is in Hari Vansh, there were 50 gates for entrance & exits into Dwarka. On each gate symbolic Dhwaja be used to unfurl. There were two gates for entry and exit for Lord Shree Krishna which were named as Swarga Dwar and Moksha Dwar. Thus 52 yards Dhwajaji is used for Dwarkadhish Temple. Devotee can see the Dhwaja from 20 yojana and blessed with Dhwaja Darshana.
Significance of Colors of Dhwajaji of Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
The various colors of Dhwaja are signifies the “Shyam Rang” body of Lord Shree Krishna. These includes various colors of rainbow like red, Green, Yellow, Blue, White, Pink and saffron, used in Dhwajaji. Red color signifies good occasion and bravery, Green signifies peace and progress, Yellow for knowledge, Blue for strength, White for cleanness and peace, Saffron for bravery, pink for joyfulness.
If any devotee wish to Dhwaja Arohan at Dwarkadish Temple then they have to contact Shree Gugli Brahman Gyati at Devi bhavan Road, Dwarka on 02892-234105.
Best Time to Visit and Celebration at Dwarkadish Temple, Dwarka
Krishna Janmotsav, Janmashtami is one of the most favorite festival across the devotee of Lord Shree Krishna. In Dwarka, Janmashtami is celebrated in special way and devotee across the world comes here to take part in this historical event every year. Whole Dwarka is decorated with flowers and lights, Prasad is distributed across the city and devotee enjoy the various events with full of joy and fall down in love towards Bal Krishna.
Other festival like, Diwali, Govardhan Puja on Gujarati New year, Vasant Panchami, Holi, Ramnavami, Rathyatra, Dashehra etc are celebrated in Dwakra with immense joy and love. Thousand of devotee visit Dwarka and feel blessed with Lord Dwarkadhish Darshan.
Other Sacred places and Rituals within Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
At the entrance of Dwarkadish Jagat Mandir, first tample with Kusheshwar Mahadev, the story is connected with King Kush, great devotee of Lord Shiva, great saint Rhishi Durvasa and Lord Shree Krishna. The Shivalinga was installed here by Lord Shree Krishna thus the temple named as Kusheshwar Mahadev. It is believed that half tirth yatra completes after darshan at Kusheshwar Mahadev.
Other sacred temples dedicated to Gayatri Devi, Kolva Bhagat, Anirudhha, Pradhyumn, Rishi Durvasa, Ma Ambe, Radha Krishna, Ma Devki, Beni Madhav, Kashi Vishwanath, Jambvati, Saraswati, Radhika, Laxmi, Sastyabhama etc. Devotee can perform various rituals like Abhishek, Pinddan at Gomati in Dwarka. Temple trust manages many social activity like healthcare, help to widow, handicap and mental disable people, food to everyone etc.
Unbelievable recent tales about Dwarka and Dwarkadhish Temple, Grace of Lord Shree Krishna
During the India and Pakistan war in 1965, Dwarka was attacked with many bombs but due to grace of Lord Shree Krishna there wasn’t any causality or damage happen in Dwarka. During the earthquake in 2001, single stone wasn’t damaged in this 150 high Dwarkadhish Temple. In 1998 and 2019, cyclone was about to collide in sea near Dwarka but again there wasn’t any impact on Dwarka.
Other sacred places to visit near Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
There are many sacred place apart from the Dwarkadhish Temple like Sharda Peeth, Gayatri Mandir, Geeta Mandir, Bhadkeshwar Mahadev, Rukmani Temple, Gomnati Ghat, Sudama Setu, Gopi Talav, Nageshwarm Jyotirlinga, Byet Dwarka, Iskon Temple, Swaminarayana Temple.
