Indian Temples: Shri Dwarkadhish Temple – Mathura, Uttar Pradesh - Highlights

 


Shri Dwarkadhish Temple – Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

Introduction

The Dwarkadhish Temple in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, is one of the most revered and architecturally rich temples dedicated to Lord Krishna, worshipped here in his royal form as “Dwarkadhish”—King of Dwarka. Located in the heart of Mathura’s old city, near Vishram Ghat, the temple is a centerpiece of Vaishnava devotion and plays a central role in the city's cultural and spiritual life.

History in Detail

  • The temple was established in 1814 CE by Seth Gokul Das Parikh, the treasurer of the royal Scindia (Shinde) family of Gwalior, and a devout follower of Krishna.

  • Gokul Das Parikh, deeply inspired by the Pushtimarg tradition of Vallabhacharya, envisioned a majestic temple for Dwarkadhish, the royal form of Krishna after he settled in Dwarka post-Mahabharata.

  • The temple gradually became a significant center of Krishna worship in Braj and was integrated into the Pushtimarg sect, known for its emphasis on seva (service) and bhakti (devotion).

  • Over time, the temple complex expanded and became a hub for religious festivals, cultural activities, and Vaishnavite teachings.

Religious Significance

  • In this temple, Krishna is worshipped not as a child or cowherd (Bala or Gopal), but as the regal monarch—Dwarkadhish, with grandeur and opulence.

  • The black marble idol of Krishna (Dwarkadhish) is depicted in a majestic posture, flanked by Rukmini, his principal consort.

  • The temple is a major pilgrimage site during:

    • Janmashtami (Krishna’s birth)
    • Hindola (Swing) Festival
    • Shravan Month
    • Holi
    • Radhashtami
    • Govardhan Puja
    • Gita Jayanti

  • The temple maintains the “Pushtimargiya” tradition, emphasizing bhakti without austerity—offering seva through food, music, and art.

Temple Details (Architecture and Features)

  • The temple features Rajasthani and Mughal architectural elements with carved pillars, jharokhas (windows), and an ornate ceiling.

  • The main sanctum houses the Dwarkadhish idol, adorned with royal garments, crowns, and jewelry—emphasizing Krishna’s kingly form.

  • The temple complex includes:

    • The main sanctum (Garbhagriha)
    • Open mandapas (halls)
    • Courtyard with decorative arches
    • Rooms for bhog preparation and seva rituals

  • The idol is shifted daily on swings or decorated stages during special occasions (like the Hindola festival).

  • The temple comes alive with bhajans, kirtans, and shringar during aartis and festivals.

Timings

Temple Darshan Hours

Summer (April–October):

  • Morning: 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM
  • Evening: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Winter (November–March):

  • Morning: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Evening: 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Note: Temple remains closed between 12 PM to 4 PM (bhog and seva hours). Timings may vary on festival days.

🕯️ Aarti Schedule (Approx.)

  • Mangala Aarti – ~6:30 AM
  • Rajbhog Aarti – ~10:00 AM
  • Evening Shringar Aarti – ~4:30 PM
  • Sandhya Aarti – ~6:00 PM

Connectivity

Location: Adjacent to Vishram Ghat, in the Chowk Bazar area, Old Mathura city.

By Rail:

  • Mathura Junction – ~4 km (major station connected to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Mumbai)

By Road:

  • Connected to Delhi, Agra, Vrindavan, and Lucknow via NH-19 and NH-44
  • Regular buses, taxis, and autos available
  • Vrindavan is ~12 km away

By Air:

  • Agra Airport – ~60 km
  • Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi) – ~170 km
    (Delhi–Mathura via Yamuna Expressway takes ~3–4 hours)

Nearby Attractions in Mathura

  • Shri Krishna Janmasthan (Birthplace of Lord Krishna)
  • Vishram Ghat
  • Yamuna River Ghats
  • Rangji Temple
  • Gita Mandir
  • Govardhan Hill (40 km away)
  • Vrindavan Temples (ISKCON, Banke Bihari, Prem Mandir)

Legacy

  • The Dwarkadhish Temple is a vibrant embodiment of royal Krishna bhakti—worshipping Krishna as the divine king, not just as a child or lover.

  • It is central to Mathura’s religious identity and remains a beacon of Pushtimarg traditions of devotion, music, and divine love.

  • With its blend of art, devotion, and heritage, the temple has preserved centuries-old Vaishnavite culture and continues to be a spiritual hub for pilgrims from across India and the world.

  • The festivals and daily rituals maintain an unbroken thread of worship and celebration, reflecting Krishna’s eternal presence in Braj Bhoomi.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Olympics24 : Julien Alfred of St Lucia becomes fastest woman on earth by winning 100 mtrs

Image
  Saint Lucia's Julien Alfred did wonders to put her country in the Olympics map by beconing the fastest woman on earth . Before the semi-finals, when Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrew, everyone thought Sha'Carri Richardson would easily win the gold. She was expected to become the world's fastest woman. However, Sha'Carri disappointed. St. Lucia's Julien Alfred won the gold in the women's 100 meters at the Olympics, finishing in 10.72 seconds. Sha'Carri secured the silver by finishing second, while America's Melissa Jefferson took bronze. The event was delayed slightly due to rain before the race. Despite the wet track, Julien seemed unaffected. She took the lead right from the start and maintained it until the end. Despite her efforts, Sha'Carri couldn't catch up. Julien set a national record by finishing in 10.72 seconds. Her celebration after winning gold showed how significant this victory was for her and her country. Sha'Car...
Read more

Olympics24 : China dominates TT with 5th consecutive title , France retain volleyball gold , some other event results

Image
  China successfully defended their Golds medal in the men’s table tennis team event with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Sweden at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. This marks their fifth title in the men’s team event, a competition they have dominated since its debut at the Olympic Games Beijing 2008. Host nation France secured the Olympic TT bronze in the men’s event by defeating Japan 3-2. In the women’s table tennis competition, China continued their dominance by winning their fifth consecutive gold medal with a 3-0 victory over Japan. This victory also marked China’s historic 300th Olympic gold medal. Japan took home the silver, while Korea Republic earned the bronze, their first medal in the team event since 2008. In badminton, Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen successfully defended his men’s singles Olympic gold, defeating Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn in straight sets. Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia won the bronze after a three-set victory over India’s Lakshya Sen. Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin of C...
Read more

Olympics24 : Ten men India edge out Britain in tie breaker to storm into hockey SF

Image
  India reached the Olympic hockey semifinals by defeating Britain in a shootout. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time, leading to a shootout where India won 4-2. India played with ten players for 42 minutes to secure the victory. In the semifinals, India will face the winner of the Germany-Argentina match. A win in Tuesday's match will ensure a silver medal for last time's bronze winners at the Paris Olympics. Following the advice of video umpire , Indian defender Amit Rohidas was shown a red card in the fourth minute of the second quarter for unintentional stick contact with a British player’s head. Video umpire Goyentzen suggested it was intentional, and South African field umpire Sean Rapaport recommended a red card, resulting in India playing the rest of the match with ten players. This is the first red card issued in this Olympic hockey tournament. Despite this, India remained undeterred. Coach Craig Fulton adjusted the strategy after going down to ten players. Captain ...
Read more