On a misty winter morning, we three (myself, hubby, and sonny) got ready and set for Dwarkadhish darshan. It was a bright cool sunny day, around 8 am we finished our breakfast and were waiting in the parking, looking forward to the person who will escort us to the temple for darshan. After a wait of 10 minutes - Two tall healthy well built men wearing a traditional silk dhoti, half kurta, and shalya (a cloth covering the upper body) with a long tilak of sandalwood paste applied on their forehead, with a small Shikha (choti) a tuft of hair at the back of the head, specifically kept by Vaishnavas and Brahmanas, arrived in a bike. As soon as they got down from their bike, they greeted us saying - "Jai Dwarkadhish". Those pandits had that divine sparkle on their faces, which was clearly shown they were near to the lord. After giving our introduction and a small hearty chat, we started towards the temple. We followed them in our car. Upon reaching one point we need to walk and no vehicles are allowed. Our car was parked near the temple. We walked 100 steps toward the main entrance of the temple.
Walking on those small thin narrow lanes, where I could see a lot of cows and calves around. Upon nearing the temple we could smell those camphor and incense sticks, which was giving a sense of positive and holy feeling. The moment we entered the temple we witnessed thousands of people singing and dancing in Krishna bhakti. I got goosebumps seeing that beyond-belief site. Dwarka is believed to be one of the Sapta Puri, the seven holy cities of India. It is one of the char (4) dham. Firstly, Puri, Rameshwaram, Dwarka, and Badrinath. The journey across these four cardinal points of India is considered by Hindus who aspire to visit these temples once in their lifetime. Dwarkadhish temple is also known as "Jagat Mandir" completely dedicated to lord Krishna. According to Puranas, it is believed that originally the temple was built by Vajranabh, the great-grandson of Krishna, more than 5000 years ago. Krishna dwelled in Dwarka for 100 years. His first 25 years, Krishna lived in Mathura and Vrindavan. Later this temple was destroyed by Sultan Mahmud Begada. The current temple was reconstructed in the Chalukya style in the 15-16 century. There are two entrances to the temple. The main entrance is called "Moksha Dwara" ( Door to salvation). This entrance takes one to the main market. The second entrance is called "Swarga Dwara" ( Gate to heaven). Outside second entrance, there are 56 steps which leads to the Gomati river. The flag top of this temple shows the sun and moon, which is believed to indicate that Krishna would be there till the sun and Moon exist on Earth. The flag of this temple is changed up to 5 times a day. Lord is offered a bhog 11 times a day. In which 7 bhog in the morning and 4 bhog in the evening.
Later we were taken inside the main temple which is called Garbha Griha - where the lord was majestically stationed. Just like a Raja - King of the universe. There were no boundaries to my happiness when I saw lord - Dwarkadhish from a close view. Those chanting hymes, dhol, and bells sound which took my heartbeat to a race. Devotees chatting - "Hathi ghoda palki jai kanhaiya lala ki". It was a union of the lord with his devotees or bhakt. Tears just rolled down from my eyes. That was a pivotal moment for us, especially for me. In that 2 minutes darshan of the lord I tried to capture that image of Jagath Dev - Krishna (Dwarkadhish) In this sanctum sanctorum or the Garbha Griha sits the murti of Krishna as four armed Vishnu. It is called "Trivikram" avatar. 2.25 feet in height, and is carved in black stone. I was mesmerized seeing the grandeur of lord Dwarkadhish. It was a moment of Bhakt with Bhagwan. Later we all took darshan at Devaki maa temple. This temple is exactly opposite the altar of Lord Dwarkadhish. She is placed in a way that she can always behold the beauty of her son and overlook all the sevas which are offered throughout the day. It is believed that Lord Krishna wanted to see his mother all day, hence placing his mother just opposite.
In this temple, the first bhog is offered to Radha Rani who is placed on the left side of Dwarkadhish grabha griha. The lord is offered the same bhog later. As per Hindu scriptures, Radha is considered the complete incarnation of Goddess Mahalakshmi. It is believed that Krishna enchants the world, but Radha enchants even him. Therefore, she is the supreme goddess of all and together they are called "Radha - Krishna". Radha is considered Krishna's eternal consort. Kirshna said he is incomplete without Radha. Radha Rani is, in one sense, one with Krishna, as the sunshine is one with the sun. The most supreme and unconditional love. We took the blessings of Radha Rani and moved forward along with the pandit who was accompanied by us, narrating the story of Dwarkadhish.
One who visits Dwarka can, witness people in large numbers performing "Tula Daan". Tula Daan is a ritual performed in the Tula mandir in the main temple complex of Dwarka. Tula Daan also called Maha Daan, is one of the prominent ancient rituals of Sanatan Dharma. In this Daan, the devotee offers sugar, ghee, grains, fruits, or other items equivalent to the weight of the person for whom Tula Daan is to be performed. Lord Balaram's idol is placed inside this temple, he witnesses and blesses the people who offer Tula Daan. When we witness people performing this holy ritual in large numbers, we too performed Tula Daan for our 9 year-old-son and took blessings for his overall well-being, education, and bright future. We as parents were thankful to the lord, as we were able to perform this holy ritual. It was an overwhelming moment for me as a mother. R was having a gala time sitting on that Tula - weighing seat, swinging around. After having a wholesome blessed darshan, we took prasad inside the main temple, made from the ghee or butter which was offered to the lord.
To be continued...
We got darshan through you ..Waiting to see him soon 🤞
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