Dwarkadhish Temple
The Char Dham Shrine on Krishna's Coast
Overview
The Dwarkadhish Temple, also called Jagat Mandir, is a Hindu temple in Dwarka, Gujarat, India, dedicated to Krishna worshipped as Dwarkadhish, 'Lord of Dwarka'. Tradition holds the original shrine to be some 2,500 years old; the present five-storey structure dates largely to the 15th to 16th centuries, its ~78 m spire carried on 72 carved pillars. It is one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites and a Sapta Puri sacred city, entered through the Swarga Dwar and Moksha Dwar gates. MyTripMyTravel escorts a respectful darshan around the aarti timings.
The Dwarkadhish Temple rises on the Gomti creek where it meets the Arabian Sea, its tall carved spire flying a great flag that is ceremonially changed several times a day, the fixed point of one of Hinduism's most sacred coastlines.
Krishna is worshipped here as Dwarkadhish, the king of the legendary city of Dwarka. The present five-storey temple, its 78-metre shikhara resting on 72 pillars, is reached from the river ghats by the 56 steps of the Swarga Dwar ('Gate of Heaven') and left by the Moksha Dwar ('Gate of Liberation'). As one of the Char Dham, it draws pilgrims from across India.
MyTripMyTravel arranges an escorted darshan timed to the aarti, handling the practicalities, footwear, phones and the crowd flow, so the visit stays calm and unhurried.
At a glance
Dwarkadhish Temple in brief
What to see
Highlights
The Jagat Mandir spire
The ~78 m carved shikhara flying the great flag, changed ceremonially several times daily.
Swarga Dwar
The 'Gate of Heaven' reached by 56 steps up from the Gomti river ghats.
Moksha Dwar
The 'Gate of Liberation' through which pilgrims leave toward the town.
The 72-pillar sabha mandap
The many-columned hall carrying the towering superstructure.
Gomti ghat & sea confluence
The riverside steps where the Gomti meets the Arabian Sea below the temple.
Visitor information
Our tips
Come for the early-morning aarti, the atmosphere and the light are both best then.
Leave phones, cameras and leather at the cloakroom; they are not allowed inside.
Dress modestly and be prepared to remove footwear before entering.
The midday break (roughly 1 to 5pm) closes the sanctum, plan darshan around it.
Good to know
Dwarkadhish Temple, your questions
Which deity is worshipped at Dwarkadhish?
Krishna, venerated here as Dwarkadhish, the 'Lord of Dwarka', in the temple also known as Jagat Mandir.
What are the temple's timings?
Roughly 6am to 1pm and 5pm to 9:30pm daily, with the sanctum closed over the midday break.
Why is Dwarka so sacred?
It is one of Hinduism's four Char Dham pilgrimage sites and a Sapta Puri holy city, tied to Krishna's legendary kingdom.
Can I take photos inside?
No, cameras and phones must be deposited at the entrance; the ban is enforced, so plan for it.
Visit with us
See Dwarkadhish Temple, properly.
A private, chauffeured visit with a licensed expert guide, timed for the best light and the smallest crowds. We fold Dwarkadhish Temple into a wider Dwarka and West India itinerary, built entirely around you.
- Skip the queue where possible, at the right hour
- Licensed local guide who brings the story to life
- Private car and chauffeur, door to door
Plan your trip
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