Dwarkadhish Temple

The Dwarkadhish temple was built in 1814 by Seth Gokul Das Parikh, treasurer to the Gwalior state, and is the principal temple of the Pushtimarg tradition in Mathura. Krishna is worshipped here as Dwarkadhish, king of Dwarka, rather than as the child of Braj — a distinction that shapes the whole character of the worship, which is formal and courtly. The temple's painted ceilings and the carved pillars of its central courtyard are the work of Rajasthani craftsmen and are its best-known feature.

It stands close to Vishram Ghat on the Yamuna, the ghat where, by tradition, Krishna rested after killing Kansa.

Worship follows the Pushtimarg sequence of eight daily darshans, with the deity dressed and offered bhog at each, and the curtain drawn between them. Offerings are of flowers, tulsi and sweets.

Janmashtami is the principal festival. The Jhulan Yatra in Shravan, when the deity is placed on a swing, is particular to this temple and draws visitors through the monsoon. Holi and Govardhan Puja are also kept, and the temple's Holi observances are among the liveliest in Mathura.

The temple is near Vishram Ghat in central Mathura, about four kilometres from Mathura Junction railway station. The approach is through the bazaar and the last stretch is on foot.

It is usually combined with Vishram Ghat, where the evening Yamuna aarti is held, and with the Krishna Janmasthan. Mathura is on the Yamuna Expressway, about three and a half hours from Delhi and an hour from Agra.