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Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
Krishna, King of Dwarka · Char Dham · Gujarat
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
The Dwarkadhish Temple at Dwarka in Gujarat enshrines Krishna as Dwarkadhish, the king of the golden city he is said to have ruled. One of the four Char Dham of India, this towering five-storey Jagat Mandir rises above the meeting of the Gomti river and the Arabian Sea, crowned by a great flag that is changed five times a day.
Krishna’s own city
In the Mahabharata tradition, Krishna left Mathura and built the city of Dwarka by the western sea, ruling it as king. The temple is held to stand on the site of his grandson Vajranabha’s original shrine over Krishna’s residence, making Dwarka one of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) and a place bound to the very life of the lord.
The Jagat Mandir and its flag
The main temple, the Jagat Mandir, rises about 78 metres on seventy-two pillars, its tall spire visible far out to sea. From the summit flies a great triangular flag bearing the sun and moon; it is changed five times each day, and the right to offer a new flag is sought by devotees from across the country. Two gateways, the Swarga Dwar and Moksha Dwar, mark the entrance and exit.
A Char Dham of the west
Dwarka is the western seat of the four Char Dham established in the tradition of Adi Shankaracharya, paired with Badrinath, Puri and Rameswaram. Pilgrims also visit nearby Bet Dwarka island and the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga. Janmashtami fills the town through the night, and the festival of Annakut and Holi are great occasions here.
How to reach Dwarka
- By road: Dwarka is on the far western coast of the Saurashtra peninsula, well connected by road from Jamnagar and Rajkot.
- By train: Dwarka railway station is on the line to Okha and Ahmedabad.
- By air: Jamnagar Airport is about 130 km away; a small airport at Porbandar is also nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dwarkadhish?
Dwarkadhish means “king of Dwarka,” the form of Krishna who ruled the city of Dwarka by the western sea after leaving Mathura. The temple enshrines him in that royal aspect.
Is Dwarka one of the Char Dham?
Yes — Dwarka is the western seat of the four great Char Dham of India, alongside Badrinath in the north, Puri in the east and Rameswaram in the south, and is also one of the seven sacred Sapta Puri cities.
Why is the flag changed five times a day?
A great flag bearing the sun and moon flies from the spire of the Jagat Mandir and is changed five times daily; offering a new flag is a coveted act of devotion sought by pilgrims from across India.
How tall is the Dwarkadhish temple?
The Jagat Mandir rises about 78 metres on seventy-two pillars, its spire visible far out over the Arabian Sea.
How do I reach Dwarka?
Dwarka is on the western Saurashtra coast of Gujarat, with its own railway station and road links from Jamnagar and Rajkot. Jamnagar Airport is about 130 km away.
What else can pilgrims visit near Dwarka?
Many pilgrims also visit Bet Dwarka island, associated with Krishna, and the nearby Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva.
॥ जय श्री कृष्ण ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Krishna as Dwarkadhish (king of Dwarka) |
| Significance | One of the four Char Dham; a Sapta Puri city |
| Temple | Jagat Mandir, ~78 m, 72 pillars |
| Special | Flag changed five times a day |
| Rivers/Sea | Gomti and Arabian Sea |
| Main Festival | Janmashtami |