Description

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Context

A group of 300 Pakistani citizens of Indian origin residing in Sindh visited revered Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat Devbhumi Dwarka reflecting strong cross border cultural & religious ties.

Dwarkadhish Temple (Jagat Mandir)

Feature	Description
Location	Dwarka city, Devbhumi Dwarka district, Gujarat, India
Primary Deity	Lord Krishna (Dwarkadhish – "King of Dwarka")
Religion	Hinduism
Significance	One of Char Dham pilgrimage sites; one of Sapta Puri (seven most ancient & holy Hindu cities); sacred to Vaishnavites
Architectural Style	Māru-Gurjara (Solanki style); influenced by Nagar architecture
Material Used	Limestone & sandstone
Structure	Five-storied temple, supported by 72 intricately carved pillars
Height	Approximately 78.3 meters (256 ft)
Steeple Flag (Dhwaja)	Changed multiple times daily; triangular & adorned with symbols of sun & moon, signifying that temple will last as long as these celestial bodies exist
Sanctum (Garbha Griha)	Houses black stone idol of Lord Krishna (Dwarkadhish) in a standing posture with four arms
Sub-shrines	Temples of Balarama, Rukmini, Subhadra, Revati, Vasudeva & others
Moksha Dwar	Door to Salvation main entrance; leads pilgrims to main temple
Swarga Dwar	Gate to Heaven steps leading down to Gomti River for ritual bathing
Managed by	Dwarka Peeth & Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
Festivals Celebrated	Janmashtami, Holi, Diwali, Annakut, Rukmini Vivah, Rath Yatra
Legends Associated	Believed to be built by Vajranabha (Krishna great grandson) over Krishna original residential palace; submerged Dwarka is said to lie underneath sea
Heritage Status	ASI protected site; pilgrimage destination under Char Dham Yatra

City of Dwarka

Feature	Description
Location	Western tip of Gujarat, along Arabian Sea; Devbhumi Dwarka district
Ancient Name	Anarta, Kushasthali & later Dwarka
Etymology	Dwarka comes from Sanskrit Dwar (door/gate) & Ka (Brahma or Moksha) Gateway to Heaven
Mythological Importance	Capital of Krishna kingdom after he left Mathura; one of seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri)
Historical Significance	Referred in Mahabharata; Mentioned in Skanda Purana, Vishnu Purana, Harivamsa
Submerged City	Marine archaeology has found submerged structures off coast (believed to be remnants of ancient Dwarka)
Religious Importance	Part of Char Dham (with Badrinath, Puri, Rameswaram); Site of 12 Jyotirlingas nearby (Nageshwar)
Pilgrimage Circuit	Part of Panch Dwarka Yatra (Dwarka, Bet Dwarka, Rukmini Mandir, Sudama Setu & Nageshwar)
Modern Governance	Devbhumi Dwarka was carved out as a separate district in 2013
Major Attractions	Rukmini Devi Temple, Bet Dwarka Island, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Sudama Setu, Gomti Ghat, Dwarka Lighthouse
Cultural Festivals	Dwarka Festival, Janmashtami Mela, Kartik Purnima fair
Transport Connectivity	Accessible by road, rail (Dwarka Station) & nearest airport at Jamnagar (~130 km)

Temples in India that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Temple / Temple Group	Location	UNESCO Listing Year	Recognized As	Key Features & Significance
Sun Temple, Konark	Odisha	1984	Individual Monument	13th-century temple built by King Narasimhadeva I; famous for chariot shaped structure; intricate stone carvings symbolizing time & divinity.
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram	Tamil Nadu	1984	Group of Monuments	7th–8th century monuments built by Pallava kings; includes rock-cut temples, cave sanctuaries & shore temples.
Group of Monuments at Hampi	Karnataka	1986	Group of Monuments	Ruins of Vijayanagara Empire (14th–16th centuries); includes Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple with iconic stone chariot.
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal	Karnataka	1987	Group of Monuments	Chalukyan architecture blending Nagara & Dravida styles; major temples include Virupaksha, Mallikarjuna & Papanatha.
Brihadeeswarar Temple (part of Great Living Chola Temples)	Tamil Nadu	1987	Great Living Chola Temples (with Gangaikonda Cholapuram & Darasuram)	Built by Raja Raja Chola I; known for massive vimana tower, grand scale & sculpture.
Airavatesvara Temple (Great Living Chola Temples)	Tamil Nadu	2004 (added later)	Great Living Chola Temples	Noted for architectural detail, including exquisite stone carvings & chariot motifs.
Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram (Great Living Chola Temples)	Tamil Nadu	2004 (added later)	Great Living Chola Temples	Built by Rajendra Chola I; resembles Brihadeeswarar in style & scale.
Khajuraho Group of Monuments	Madhya Pradesh	1986	Group of Monuments	Built by Chandela dynasty (950 to 1050 CE); famous for Nagara style architecture & erotic sculptures.
Ellora Caves (includes Kailasa Temple)	Maharashtra	1983	Ellora Caves (Group of Monuments)	Rock cut temples representing Buddhism, Hinduism & Jainism; Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is a monolithic marvel.
Elephanta Caves (includes Shiva Temple)	Maharashtra	1987	Elephanta Caves	Island cave temples dedicated primarily to Shiva; includes iconic Trimurti sculpture.
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (some cave temples)	Madhya Pradesh	2003	Rock Art Sites	While primarily prehistoric art, contains some early religious/cult spaces with temple like features.

Temple Architectural Styles in India

Temple Style	Region of Prevalence	Key Features	Shikhara (Tower) Type	Base (Plan Shape)	Notable Examples	Patron Dynasties
Nagara (North Indian Style)	North India (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, etc.)	Curvilinear tower (shikhara), square sanctum, garbhagriha + mandapa layout, minimal boundary walls	Curvilinear (Rekha-prasada)	Square / stellate	Khajuraho temples, Sun Temple, Konark, Kandariya Mahadeva Temple	Guptas, Chandelas, Eastern Ganga
Dravida (South Indian Style)	Southern India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh)	Pyramid shaped vimana, monumental gopurams (gateway towers), enclosed compound walls	Pyramidal (Storeyed Vimana)	Square or rectangular	Brihadeeswara Temple, Meenakshi Temple, Shore Temple	Cholas, Pallavas, Pandyas, Vijayanagara
Vesara (Hybrid Style)	Deccan region (Karnataka, parts of Maharashtra)	Blend of Nagara & Dravida features, star shaped platforms, ornate decoration	Mixed (Curvilinear + Pyramidical)	Star-shaped / circular	Hoysaleswara Temple, Chennakesava Temple	Chalukyas, Hoysalas
Kalinga (Odisha Sub-style of Nagara)	Odisha (Eastern India)	Division into Rekha Deula (sanctum), Pidha Deula (assembly) & Khakhara Deula (female deities)	Curvilinear (Rekha Deula)	Rectangular sanctum with jagamohana	Lingaraja Temple, Rajarani Temple, Mukteshwar Temple	Somavamshis, Eastern Gangas
Solanki/Maru-Gurjara	Gujarat & Rajasthan	Highly ornate carvings, toranas (archways), step-wells, intricate ceilings	Truncated or Sheared Shikhara	Square / stellate	Modhera Sun Temple, Rani ki Vav	Solanki Dynasty
Nayaka Style	Tamil Nadu (Late Dravida)	Tall gopurams, mandapas with intricate carvings, 1000-pillared halls	Pyramidal (Elaborate Gopurams)	Rectangular or star like	Ranganathaswamy Temple, Thiruvannamalai Temple	Nayakas, Vijayanagara Empire
Panchayatana Style	Pan Indian (Gupta Period onward)	Main shrine surrounded by 4 subsidiary shrines on 4 corners	Varies	Cross plan (quincunx)	Dashavatara Temple (Deogarh)	Guptas
Hemadpanti Style	Maharashtra (Medieval Deccan)	Use of black stone without mortar, minimalistic ornamentation, stepped design	Step like spires	Rectangular or square	Aundha Nagnath, Bhuleshwar Temple	Yadavas of Devagiri

For more such articles, please refer to IAS GYAN

Sources:

THE PRINT

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Discuss cultural & architectural significance of Indian temples inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. How do these monuments reflect religious & political patronage of their time?