Shri Dwarkadhish Temple, Mathura
Krishna (Dwarkadhish) temple · Mathura (Chhatta Bazaar, on the Yamuna), Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
Shri Dwarkadhish Temple is a temple of Krishna in his form as Dwarkadhish, the lord of Dwarka, in Mathura city, Uttar Pradesh, and the Mathura district administration describes it as one of the oldest and largest temples in the city (Mathura district administration). It stands on the bank of the Yamuna, in the Chhatta Bazaar area of the old city (Patrika).
The present building dates from 1814, and the temple follows the Pushtimarg tradition of Krishna worship, which shapes its daily darshan sessions and its festival calendar (Mathura district administration; Amar Ujala).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Shri Dwarkadhish Temple, Mathura
The main image is a black marble figure of Krishna known as Dwarkanath, with a white marble image of Radharani beside him (Mathura district administration). The district administration links the temple to the Krishna tradition of Mathura, which tells how Krishna left Mathura for Dwarka and lived there for the rest of his earthly life (Mathura district administration).
The temple belongs to the Pushtimarg sampradaya, and its festival programmes are set by its goswamis, among them Dr. Vagish Kumar, described by Patrika as the Yuvraj of Kankroli (Amar Ujala; Patrika). It is one of the Mathura temples that draws large crowds at Janmashtami and during the Braj Holi season (Amar Ujala).
Heritage
History of Shri Dwarkadhish Temple, Mathura
The current structure was built in 1814 by Seth Gokul Das Parikh, who was treasurer of the Gwalior State under the Scindias (Mathura district administration).
In recent years the temple has continued as a busy place of worship. It reopened in June 2020 after more than two months of closure during the national coronavirus lockdown, with thermal screening and distancing arrangements made by the district administration (ETV Bharat). Police are posted at the temple to help manage the darshan queues, which include a separate line for women (Amar Ujala).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The temple keeps separate morning and evening darshan sessions, and Amar Ujala reported in March 2026 that the evening schedule changes each year from Ram Navami until Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi while morning darshan stays the same (Amar Ujala). Exact times change with the season and on festival days, so confirm current arrangements with the temple administration before travelling.
At Janmashtami in 2025 the temple's media in-charge advised elderly people, children and pregnant women to avoid visiting because of the crowds (Amar Ujala). Expect heavy crowds on festival days and confirm current arrangements with the temple administration.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Shri Dwarkadhish Temple, Mathura
Hindola (Sawan swing festival)
Through the month of Sawan a newly decorated hindola, or swing, is prepared each day and Krishna is seated in it for darshan, a custom of Pushtimarg temples in Braj (Patrika).
Raksha Bandhan
The deity is brought out of the sanctum and seated on a swing of gold and silver, and women who regard Krishna as a brother come to tie rakhis, with some sending them by post (Patrika).
Holi
The temple's Holi season begins at Magh Purnima with the raising of the Holi danda, after which Braj rasiya songs are sung daily during rajbhog darshan, followed by events such as Kunj Bhari Ekadashi and a Dhol Mahotsav (Amar Ujala).
Janmashtami
The temple holds a special janm darshan for Krishna's birth near midnight, followed by a Nand Mahotsav in the temple courtyard the next morning (Amar Ujala).
Location
How to Reach Shri Dwarkadhish Temple, Mathura
Mathura is served by two railway stations, Mathura Junction and Mathura Cantt, with regular trains from other major cities, and by buses from the Mathura bus station (Mathura district administration). The district administration lists Kheria Airport at Agra, about 46 km from Mathura, as an airport for the city (Mathura district administration).
The temple is in the old city on the bank of the Yamuna, in the Chhatta Bazaar area (Patrika).
Location: Mathura (Chhatta Bazaar, on the Yamuna), Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nearest airport: Kheria Airport, Agra (about 46 km, per the district administration)
Nearest railway station: Mathura Junction and Mathura Cantt
More in Hindu temples in Uttar Pradesh · Krishna (Dwarkadhish) temples
Questions
Shri Dwarkadhish Temple, Mathura: Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same Dwarkadhish Temple as the one in Dwarka, Gujarat?
No. This is the Shri Dwarkadhish Temple in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, which honours Krishna as the lord of Dwarka; the district administration links it to the tradition of Krishna leaving Mathura for Dwarka (Mathura district administration).
Who built the Dwarkadhish Temple in Mathura?
The present structure was built in 1814 by Seth Gokul Das Parikh, treasurer of the then Gwalior State under the Scindias (Mathura district administration).
Which deity is worshipped at the temple?
Krishna as Dwarkadhish, in a black marble image called Dwarkanath, with a white marble image of Radharani beside him (Mathura district administration).
Which tradition does the temple follow?
It belongs to the Pushtimarg sampradaya, and its programmes are directed by its goswamis (Amar Ujala; Patrika).
What is the Hindola festival at Dwarkadhish Temple?
During Sawan the temple decorates a new swing each day and seats Krishna in it for darshan (Patrika). On Raksha Bandhan the deity is placed on a gold and silver swing (Patrika).
When does Holi begin at the Dwarkadhish Temple?
The temple's Holi celebrations start at Magh Purnima with the raising of the Holi danda, followed by daily rasiya singing during rajbhog darshan (Amar Ujala).
How do I reach the Dwarkadhish Temple in Mathura?
Mathura Junction and Mathura Cantt are the railway stations, buses run from the Mathura bus station, and the district administration lists Kheria Airport at Agra, about 46 km away (Mathura district administration).
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Wikidata Q24932536 — structured data (CC0)
- Wikipedia — Dwarkadheesh temple Mathura — text facts from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mathura district administration (Government of Uttar Pradesh) — Shri Dwarkadhish Temple
- Patrika — Dwarikadhish darshan in pearl hindola (Sawan 2019)
- Patrika — Raksha Bandhan celebration in Dwarikadhish temple (2018)
- Amar Ujala — Holi celebrations to start at Dwarkadhish temple Mathura on Magh Purnima (2022)
- Amar Ujala — Change in darshan system at Dwarkadhish temple on Janmashtami 2025
- Amar Ujala — Darshan timings at Dwarkadhish temple to change from Ram Navami (2026)
- Amar Ujala — Queue incident at Dwarkadhish temple (2024)
- ETV Bharat — Shri Dwarkadhish temple reopens, devotees queue up
Further reading: Shri Dwarkadhish Temple, Mathura on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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