Jagat Mandir - Dwarkadheesh / Temple / Story

http://www.dwarkadhish.org/
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Originally the Dwarkadheesh temple is said and believed to have been built by Vajranabha the great grand son of Lord Sri Krishna more than 2500 years back on the Hari Gruha, the erstwhile palace of Lord Sri Krishna in Dwarka. It was in an umbrella shape initially. Since then temple structure has undergone many changes. Currently called as Jagat Mandir also known as Nija Mandir, the 16th century old structure of the main temple is a glorious one exquisitely carved with the temple tower reaching a height of 52 meters. Built in an area of approx 600 square meters the splendid Jagat Mandir situated on the banks of river Gomati at a height of 70 feet above the sea level has two gigantic towers. One with a height of 170 feet which is seven storied called as Ladwa Shikar and the other with a height of 157 feet which is five storied called as Nija Shikar.

The Diety of Lord Dwarkadheesh is enshrined in the Nija Shikar in the Sabha Mantap supported by 60 pillars. Construction of the chariot like temple is based on 72 exquisitely carved monolithic pillars built with granite and stone without any arch. The temple consists of a sanctum, vestibule and a rectangular hall with porches on three sides.

Till today natural disasters have not caused any damage to the temple even though it is situated on the coast of Arabian Sea at the banks of Gomati River. It is said that Pakistan Air Force had made an unsuccessful attempt to bombard this temple during 1965 war. The priests who conduct the pooja and other rituals in the temple are called as Aboti/Gugali Brahmins. The temple has a set of scheduled pooja and rituals performed every day starting from morning 7.00 am to night 9.30 pm with breaks in between. During the morning Aarati time at 7.00 am even the local residents also join the pilgrims to have a glimpse of Lord Sri Krishna when there will be a big rush in the temple. The occasion is worth seeing. As per the temple sources more than five million people have visited the Jagat Mandir during the last financial year.