ॐ
Jagdish Temple, Udaipur
Lord Vishnu (Jagannath) • Udaipur, Rajasthan
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Just outside the City Palace in the heart of old Udaipur, the Jagdish Temple has been a working Vishnu shrine since 1651. Maharana Jagat Singh I raised this three-storey Maru-Gurjara temple, enshrining a black-stone, four-armed image of Vishnu worshipped as Jagannath. A flight of thirty-two marble steps and a carved spire make it one of the most recognisable landmarks of the lake city.
A Vishnu shrine in the lake city
The presiding deity is Vishnu in his four-armed form, carved from a single block of black stone and venerated here as Jagannath, lord of the universe—also approached as Laxmi-Narayan. The image is the devotional centre of a temple that has stayed in continuous worship since the seventeenth century.
Positioned a short walk from the royal City Palace, the temple linked the ruling Mewar household to public devotion. Its prominent location made it a shared sacred space for the court and the townspeople of Udaipur.
Built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh I
Maharana Jagat Singh I commissioned the temple in 1651, and it carries his name. The structure rises in the Maru-Gurjara (Nagara) idiom of western India, standing about seventy-nine feet tall across three storeys, with a tall, intricately carved spire crowning the sanctum.
The mandapa and exterior walls are covered in detailed relief—figures, elephants and decorative bands—typical of the carved stonework that Mewar patrons favoured. The pyramidal spire above the hall and the soaring shikhara over the sanctum give the temple its layered silhouette.
Darshan, steps and the Garuda shrine
Worshippers climb thirty-two marble steps, flanked by carved stone elephants, to reach the temple terrace. Facing the main sanctum stands a brass image of Garuda, Vishnu’s eagle mount, in its own small shrine—darshan is traditionally taken with Garuda before the lord.
The temple keeps regular aarti and worship through the day, and being in the old city it is easily combined with a City Palace visit. Mornings and evening aarti are the most atmospheric times for darshan.
Carved detail and surrounding shrines
Beyond the central sanctum, the plinth carries subsidiary shrines to other deities, set at the four corners around the main temple. The combination of a tall Nagara spire and dense surface carving makes the Jagdish Temple a compact study in Rajasthani temple craft.
Its position in the bustling lanes near the palace means the temple anchors a walkable heritage circuit.
list
- City Palace of Udaipur, a few minutes’ walk away
- Lake Pichola and its ghats
- The bazaars and havelis of the old city
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the main deity at Jagdish Temple, Udaipur?
The main deity is Lord Vishnu in a four-armed form, carved from black stone and worshipped as Jagannath—also venerated as Laxmi-Narayan. The temple has been in continuous worship since 1651.
When and by whom was the Jagdish Temple built?
The temple was built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh I of Mewar, who gave it his name. It stands just outside the City Palace in old Udaipur.
How many steps lead up to the Jagdish Temple?
Thirty-two marble steps, flanked by carved stone elephants, lead up to the temple terrace. At the top, a brass shrine of Garuda faces the main sanctum.
What architectural style is the Jagdish Temple?
It is built in the Maru-Gurjara (Nagara) style of western India, rising about seventy-nine feet across three storeys. A tall, intricately carved spire crowns the sanctum.
Where is the Jagdish Temple located?
The temple is in the heart of old Udaipur, Rajasthan, just outside the City Palace. Its central location makes it easy to combine with a visit to the palace and Lake Pichola.
Is there a Garuda shrine at the temple?
Yes. A brass image of Garuda, Vishnu’s eagle mount, sits in a small shrine directly facing the sanctum. Devotees traditionally pay respects to Garuda before taking darshan of the lord.
॥ जय श्रीमन्नारायण ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Primary Deity | Vishnu (Jagannath) |
| Established | 1651 |
| Built By | Maharana Jagat Singh I |
| Architecture | Maru-Gurjara (Nagara) |
| Height | About 79 ft, three storeys |
| Entrance | 32 marble steps |
| Notable Shrine | Brass Garuda facing sanctum |
| Location | Udaipur, Rajasthan |