Interesting facts about the Dwarkadhish Temple where Kangana Ranaut recently offered her prayers

Kangana Ranaut visited the Dwarkadhish Temple 

Bollywood beauty Kangana Ranaut visited the holy city of Dwarka in Gujarat yesterday to seek the blessings of Lord Krishna, hailed as Dwarkadhish or the King of Dwarka. The three-time National Award-winning actress, who comes from the majestic state of Himachal, is spiritually inclined. Her spiritual leanings take her to places of worship such as these.

Kangana's team that handles her Instagram account shared a pic of hers after she visited the temple. The photos carried the caption, "Om Shri Krishnaya Namah! #KanganaRanaut offers prayers in the Dwarkadeesh Temple in the Holy city of Dwarka, Gujarat. (sic)."
 

Interesting facts about the Dwarkadhish Temple, situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea and the banks of the river Gomati, in the extreme west coast of our country.

Shri Krishna, the ninth avatar of Shri Vishnu, took birth in Mathura (in modern-day Uttar Pradesh) and ruled Dwaraka (in modern-day Gujarat). The Dwarakadhish temple, also known as Jagat Mandir, is one of the four sacred places of worship and is one of the Char Dham sites visited by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. The other Char Dham sites are Puri in the East, Rameshwaram in the South and Badrinath in the North.

Shri Krishna's grandson, Vajranabha is believed to have built the original temple. It was constructed around the Hari Griha (Krishna's home) on a piece of land that the Lord reclaimed from the sea. However, Mahmud Begada, the 'Sultan' of Gujarat, destroyed the original structure sometime in the fifteenth century. The temple was rebuilt soon. The actual shrine that we now see is believed to over 2500 years old, whereas the temple which was rebuilt post destruction, is around 600 years old.

The rituals followed in the temple are as per the traditions of Pushtimarg, introduced by Vaishnava Saint Vallabhacharya. And the temple is one of the Divya Desams (108 temples dedicated to Shri Vishnu).

Seventy-two pillars support the five-storeyed temple made of limestone, and it has a majestic pinnacle with intricate carvings, and the style reflects the Chalukyan architectural pattern. A flag made of 52 yards of cloth that flutters from the Shikara (topmost point of the pinnacle) is one of the major highlights.

Devotees throng the temple throughout the year and from across the country. There is Swarga Dwar (gateway to heaven) or the entry gate, and then there's the Moksha Dwar meaning ( gateway to salvation) the exit point.

You may make a note of the temple timings below:
Morning - 7 AM to 12.30 PM
Evening - 5 PM to 9.30 PM