Temples in Dwarka
Dwarkadhish Temple
In the middle of the town is the Dwarkadish Temple, which was built in the 16th century. Dwarkadish is another name of Lord Krishna that means the "Lord of Dwarka". The five-story high temple is built on seventy-two pillars. The temple spire is 78.3m (235 feet) high. From the temple dome waves an eighty-four foot long multicolored flag decorated with the symbols of the sun and moon. Lord Krishna's grandson, Vajranabha, is said to have built the original temple of Dwarkadhish over the hari-griha (Lord Krishna's residential place).
The sanctum of the temple is formed by the Jagat Mandir, or Nija Mandir, which dates back at least 2500 years. The Jagat Mandir has a tall tower and a hall of audience.
There are two entrances to the temple. The main entrance (north entrance) is called "Moksa Dwara" (Door to Salvation). This entrance leads to the main market. The south entrance is called 'Swarga Dwara" (Gate to Heaven). Outside this doorway are 56 steps that lead to the Gomati River. The audience hail has both ancient and fairly modern sculptures.
The main Deity in this temple is Lord Dwarkadhish, who is on the center altar. The Deity represents the four-armed form of Vishnu called Trivikrama. There is a temple to the right of the main Deity that contains the Deity of Lord Baladevaji (Balarama), who is the older brother of Lord Krishna. The temple to the left of the main Deity contains a big Deity of Pradyumna and a small Deity of Aniruddha. They are the son and grandson of Lord Krishna. Opposite this shrine is the shrine of Purusottama (Vishnu). Next to this shrine is a shrine dedicated to Kuseswara Mahadeva (Siva).
The shrine that is across from Lord Dwarkadhish contains the deity of Devaki, the mother of Lord Krishna. Next to this shrine is a temple dedicated Veni-madhava (Lord Vishnu). In back of the main temple in the eastern part of the temple compound are shrines of Radhikaji, Jambavati, Satyabhama and Lakshmi. There are also shrines Sarasvati and Lakshmi-Narayana.
This temple is a very interesting place where the extreme devotion of the pilgrims can be observed. Non-Hindus are not normally allowed in the temple. Non-Indians can request to fill out a form saying that they believe in the Hindu religion and can then enter the temple.
Rukmini Devi Temple
This small temple, which is 1.5 km north of town, is an architectural master piece. Rukmini is the most important of Krishna's 16,108 wives. The temple walls are decorated with beautiful paintings depicting the pastimes of Rukmini and Krishna. This temple is said to date back to the 12th century.
The story behind this temple is that one day Durvasa Muni, who is easily angered, invited Lord Krishna and His wife Rukmini to dinner. When a person is invited to dinner, etiquette is that he is not allowed to eat or drink until by his host. On the way to take Rukmini became very thirsty, and she asked Krishna for help. Krishna then put His foot in the ground and the waters of the Ganges came from the earth while Durvasa was not looking. But, as Rukmini was drinking the water, Durvasa turned and saw her drinking without his permission. He became very angry and He cursed her to live separate from Lord Krishna. That is why Krishna's temple is in the town and her temple is located just outside the town.
Gomati Ghat Temples
If you go out the back entrance of the Dwarkadish Temple, you can see the Gomati River. The temple is located almost at the spot where the Gomati meets the ocean.
Gomati, the descended Ganges, meets the sea at Chakra-tirtha Ghat. To take bath where the Gomati meets the ocean is supposed to give liberation to a devotee.
The Samudra Naryana Temple (Sangam Narayana) is an imposing temple at the confluence of the Gomati River and the sea. Panchanda Tirtha is five sweet water wells surrounded by sea water.
At Chakra Narayana, Lord Vishnu was manifested as a stone marked with a chakra on the seashore. The Gomatiji Temple has an image of the Gomati River in it said to have been brought down from heaven by Vasistha Muni.
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