Dwarakadheesh temple is located in Dwaraka, Gujarat. The temple is situated on the bank of Gomati River. The Dwarakadheesh temple is dedicated to a Hindu deity Lord Krishna. Dwarakadheesh temple is one of the Hindu Char Dham (four divine sites) including Rameswaram, Badrinath, Puri and Dwaraka.
Dwarakadheesh is combination of two words which means first Lord of Dwaraka hence Lord Krishna is worshipped here by the name Dwarakadheesh. Dwaraka was the Kingdom of lord Krishna. The ancient Dwaraka city was submerged in the oceans after Mahabharata war, but the archeologists excavated the remains in underwater. Dwarakadheesh temple is believed to have been built after the ancient Dwaraka Kingdom. The present Dwarakadheesh temple was constructed in 16th century CE, while as per legend the original temple was believed to have been built by Vajranabha, the great grandson of Lord Krishna, over the Hari-Griha (Lord Krishna's residential place). According to legend, the temple was constructed in a single day by Lord Vishwakarma, the Lord of construction.
The present structure of temple has been built in a classic Chalukyan style of architecture. This beautiful temple is 51.8 meters in height with 5 storied building supported by 72 pillars. The temple has two sikhara's (tomb). The longer tomb is called Nija Shikhar where the statue of Lord Dwarkadheesh is installed. This is also known as Jagat Mandir or Nija Mandir which is believed to be 2,500 years old. The deity of Lord Dwarakadheesh is made of shiny black stone and is about 2.25 feet tall .The deity has four hands carrying a conch, the Sudarshana Chakra, a mace and a lotus respectively. This image is very popular and also known as 'Shankh Chakra Gada Padma Chaturbhuj'. It is believed that the real idol got hidden for years to protect itself from invaders. And in absence of real deity another idol from the Rukmini temple was brought and installed in the temple. The original idol got reinstalled only after the construction of the new temple in 16th century.
The Temple has two entrances. The main entrance is from north which is known as “Moksha Dwaar” (Door to Salvation) and the few steps ahead lead to the main market. The entrance from south is known as “Swarga Dwaar” (Gate to Heaven), from where a series of few steps leads down to the bank of Gomati River.
