Shree Dwarkadhish Temple Dwarka

Dwarka is one of the holiest sites in India, the Char Dhams that include Badrinath, Puri and Rameshwaram. It is believed that Lord Krishna arrived here from Braj in Uttar Pradesh to build the city. The temple was established by his grandson. Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and holds great religious importance. It is located near the Gomti River and is known for its beautiful architecture. The major festivals celebrated at Dwarkadhish Temple are Janmashtami, which marks the birth of Lord Krishna and other festivals like Annakoot Utsav, Tulsi vivah and Akshaya Thruthiya. For more details, check our latest blog on Dwarkadhish Temple Timing and History.

History of Dwarkadhish Temple

The holy town of Gujarat " Dwarka is capital of Lord Krishna " He came here from Mathura with the Yadava tribe. He made this city his base. This is where he lived much of his adult life. In Dwarka, he also married Rukmini. He travelled to Somnath when it was time for him to go from his earthly form. An arrow was aimed by a hunter who thought his feet were a deer's ear. Lord Krishna departed from his body. The entire city of Dwarka dissolved in the ocean. Krishna had already reclaimed this land from the water. A temple was later constructed in his honour by his grandson Vajranabh. It was constructed on a little hill close to where the Arabian Sea and the Gomti River meet. Legend has it that Vishvakarma, the heavenly architect, assisted. It was reported that the temple was finished in a single day. Locals legends of Dwarika said, this was the original Dwarkadhish temple. Lord Krishna is king of Dwarka Nagari thats why Lord krishna famous as Dwarkadhish. The locals think that this temple is still where Lord Krishna governs. The Dwarkadhish temple is more than 2,500 years old. This famous temple of Lord krishna is estimated by archaeology to be 1,200 years old. Mahmud Begada destroyed the original Dwarika temple In 1472. Since then, it has experienced numerous renovations and reconstructions. It is a popular Hindu pilgrimage location today. It is one of the Char Dham Yatra's four pilgrimage sites. Dwarkadhish is also one of the seven Hindu sacred towns known as the Sapta Puris. They are Varanasi, Ujjain, Dwarka, Mathura, Ayodhya, Haridwar and Kanchipuram. A person is said to be released from the never-ending cycle of life and death by visiting all seven.

Dhwaja Ji Arohan (Flag Changing Ceremony) at Shri Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka

The Flag changing ceremony is most attractive part of the Dwarkadhish temple. Many devotees book their Dhwaja ji Arohan ceremony in advance and take a part of this holy ceremony. From far away, you can see the temple’s huge flag, 52 yards long. This flag is special because it is changed five times every day. It is said to represent the pagadi or turban of Lord Krishna. The flag carries symbols of the Sun and Moon, showing that as long as they exist, Krishna will be present for his devotees. The flag can be of single or mixed colors, each with a meaning. 

• Yellow stands for knowledge 
• Green means peace 
• White is purity 
• Blue is strength
• Red is joy

The flag is sponsored by a family. There is often a waiting list of almost a year for this honor. When the family brings the flag, they celebrate with music, dance, and singing. They carry it on their heads and perform a pooja in the temple. Then a Brahmin climbs up and hoists it. There are 52 small flags in addition to the main one. These represent the 52 sects of Krishna’s Yadava clan. Special tailors make these flags, and they must follow strict rules.

Some Hidden Facts About Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka

• Dwarka is one of the oldest pilgrimage site in India.
• Archaeologists found remains of a submerged city.
• These remains are over 5,000 years old.
• This matches the legendary Dwarka from scriptures.
• The temple follows strict rituals.
• Every day, many sweets and savories are cooked as bhog.
• These are later given to devotees as prasad.
• It is believed to be Lord Krishna’s blessing.
• The temple flag is changed three times a day.
• This tradition has continued for centuries.
• The flag shows the sun and moon.
• This means Krishna rules over both day and night.
• Sudama Setu is a bridge near the temple.
• It connects the temple to Panchkui Tirth.
• It is named after Krishna’s friend Sudama.
• The bridge gives views of the Gomti River.
• You can explore Bet Dwarka is nearly 30 km from Dwarka. It is believed to be Krishna’s home.
• The island has many temples. Boats connect Bet Dwarka to the main temple.

Places to Visit nearby Dwarkadhish Temple

• Shri Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
• Bet Dwarka
• Rukmani Devi Temple
• Gomti Ghat
• Shivrajpur Beach 

Guide for a Visit to Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka

Security Check & Entry

• Enter to the main gate of the temple.
• Security personnel may check belongings.
• Mobile phones, cameras and bags are generally restricted inside the temple.

Remove Footwear

• Remove footwear at the shoe stand near the Dwarka temple entrance.
• Collect a token for retrieval after darshan.

Join a Darshan Queue

• Choose between free darshan and  VIP darshan at Dwarkadhish Temple for faster access.
• Follow the queue lines according to your darshan type.

Walk Through Corridors & Courtyard

• Pass through the main chowk surrounded by pillared halls.
• You may see smaller temples dedicated to Rukmini Devi and other Vaishnav deities.

Enter the Garbha Griha

• Climb the stairs to the sanctum of Lord Dwarkadhish.
• The idol is beautifully decorated with jewelry, flowers and fine clothes.
• The dress and ornaments change many times a day.

Witness the Aarti & Darshan

• Darshan occurs at specific times.
• Every day, aarti is performed at Different timings.
• Mangala Aarti is performed in the morning and Sandhya Aarti is performed in the evening.
• At the counters, devotees can present flowers, coconuts, or candies.

Explore the Temple Architecture

• See the 72-pillared hall and the carved shikhara.

View the Dwaja Ji Aarohan

• The flag on top of the shikhara is changed five times a day.

Visit Additional Shrines Within the Complex

Inside and around the temple complex, visit the other shrines of:

• Rukmini Devi
• Devaki and Vasudeva
• Balram, Pradyumna and Aniruddha.
• Small shrines of Shiva, Hanuman and others.

Collect Prasadam & Retrieve Footwear

• Prasadam is available at Prasad counters.
• Collect footwear using your token.
• Exit the Temple Peacefully.
• Follow the guided exit route.

Visit Nearby Pilgrimage Spots

• Rukmini Devi Temple
• Gomti Ghat
• Panchkui Tirthas
• Bet Dwarka 

How to Reach Dwarkadhish Temple

The temple is connected very well though different modes of transport. Some of them are as below.

By Air

The nearest airport is Porbandar Airport, which is at a distance of 103 km from the temple. Even one can get a direct flight to this airport. Even you can book the taxi or take public transport to reach the temple.

By Rail

The nearest station is Dwarka railway station, which is at a distance of 3 km from the temple. There are many trains that arrive at this station. Even you get the local public transport and taxis to reach the temple.

By Road

The road is the most used way to reach the temple. The temple is easily reachable from the nearby cities by way of public transport and taxis. Thus, one can easily reach the temple by road.

For more details, check out our blog on How to Reach Dwarka Easily.

Best Time to Visit Dwarka

The best time to visit this temple is from October to February. The winter months are the best time, as one can easily reach the temple and have the best time to explore the temple; even one can do the sightseeing in nearby places.