Divya Desams refer to the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars (saints). Divya in the Tamil language indicates "premium" and Desam indicates "place" (temple). Of the 108 temples, 105 are located in India, one in Nepal and two outside of the Earthly realms. Most of the Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu follow the Thenkalai tradition. This includes the important temples of Srirangam and Triplicane.
The Divya Desams are revered by the 12 Azhvars in the Divya Prabandha, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses. Lord Shiva, the other major deity in Hinduism, is similarly associated with the Paadal Petra Sthalams, 275 Shiva temples which are praised in the Tevaram canon by the 63 Nayanars.
PRESENT NAME : DWARAGA
BASE TOWN : JAM NAGAR
DISTANCE : 131 KM
MOOLAVAR : KALYANA NARAYANAN
THIRUKKOLAM : NINDRA
THIRUMUGAMANDALAM : WEST
THAYAR : KALYANA NACHIYAR
MANGALASASANAM : 13 PAASURAMS
PRATYAKSHAM : DROUPATHI
THEERTHAM : GOMATHI RIVER,SAMUDRA SAGAMAM
VIMANAM : HEMAKOODA VIMANAM
NAMAVALI : Sri Lakshmi Sri Rukmanyadhi Ashtamahishi sameda Sri Dwaragadeesa parabramane namaha
Dwaraka/Mukthi Kshetram/Moksha Puri is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located in Rajkot, Gujarat. Beth Dwaraka is the place where Sudhama (Kuchela) lived and worshipped Lord Krishna. This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Krishna built during 16th century. The sanctum sanctorum of Lord Krishna known as Jagat Mandir/Nija Mandir was built by his grandson some 2500 years back. The main entrance to this temple is called ‘Moksha Dwar’ as the name itself reveals the significance and the Southern entrance which leads to Gomathi Theertham known as Swarga Dwara. Dwaraka, Beth Dwaraka, Nath Dwara, Dakor and Kankroli are collectively known as Pancha Dwarka.
This sthalam deals all the stories that deal with the way he became the king and ruled the empire and ended the Krsihna Avatar for which it is taken.
Vada Mathura is known as the Janma Bhoomi (birth place) of Sri Krishnar; Aayarpadi is where He was brought up and lead his childhood days; and Dwaraka is the place where his Punya Avtar ended. Sri Krishna revealed His appearance for Brahma deva, Indra and all the other Devas and for Vasudeva and Devaki in prison in Vada Mathura divyadesam (Janma Bhoomi). Same way, Sri Krishna gave his appearance to Sri Nandagopar, who brought up Sri Krishna in Aayrpadi.
After all of his duties are over and the purpose for which he took the Krishna Avatar was over, he was killed by an archer, ulupadhan, who aimed at Sri Krishna's feet thinking it as a white pigeon. Thus, the avathaar of Sri Krishna ended in Thiru Dwaraka. In Dwaraka Sri Krishna revealed His presence to Rukmani, Sathyabama, Jambhavathi and other Ashta -maharishis, his friends, his sons, neighbors and all of Aayars in Dwaraka. These all persons thought that Sri Krishna belong to them, but He proved here that He belong to the entire Universe and to all the Jeevathmas in this mighty world.
Draupadhi who was also named as "Paanjali", married Panja Pandavas and she treated Sri Krishna as her own brother. When Draupathi was ill - treated in the midst of Duriyodhan's palace, Sri Krishna gave her clothes thereby protecting her. Thus, he gave His audience to Draupathi also.
There was a king in Mathura by named "Gargeya" who doesn't have any children. All the Yadhavas teased on him and as a result of it, he did a severe tapas towards Lord Shiva to bless with a son who would ride out the Yadhava families. Finally, on satisfied fully on the tapas of the king, Shiva gave the boon and Gargaya got a son and named as "Kaalayavannan". Gargeya king handed over the Kingdom to him, so that he could ride away the Yadhavas. He collected all of his troops to make an attack on the Yadhavas.
Knowing this beforehand, Sri Krishna asked the ocean king to help him out from this, by giving a place in the ocean a small town can be created and is ruled by Sri Krishna.
Sri Krishna asked Vishwakarma to build the town in the land and the place was built in a beautiful way with lots of streets, theerthams etc. It was built so beautiful that on seeing it one can say that place as an entering point (Dwaram) to heaven. Since, this place served as the Dwaram (entering point) to the heaven, this sthalam is called as "Dwaraka". So, Dwaraka is the place where all the Yadhavas in Mathura are transferred to Dwaraka.
Kaalayavannan attacked Mathura but at that time, since Sri Krishna and Balarama are born as a normal human being, they could not defend him and ran away from him and hide in to a cave. At the same time, Musukundan was resting there in the cave due to the strain against his fight again the devas.
Musukundan had got a peculiar boon and it is if any one kicks him, (or) whoever wakes him up they will be burnt to ash. Likewise, when Kaalayavannan entered into the cave and found Musukundan and awakened him. As soon as Musukundan opened his eyes, Kaalayavannan was burnt into ash. Finally, Musukundan felt on the feet of Sri Krishnar and asked for his relief. For that Sri Krishna explained him that in his next birth and in the next Janmam he was blessed by Sri Narayanan in Badrikasramam.
Another person who got the blessings and appearance of this sthalaperumal was Kuchela, who was a very poor Brahmin and a child-hood day acquaintance of Sri Krishna. As soon as Sri Krishna saw Kuchelar, he invited him and asked him to be seated.
Sri Krishna asked him what's the reason he had come for to meet as if he doesn't know the reason. But, the Emperumaan can easily understand why he has come for. At that time, Kuchelar gave him some hand pound. On getting the pounded rice Sri Krsihna was so happy with Kuchela and asked him that he will give some of his countries for him. But, poor Kuchelar doesn't want any of them, but he came only to see his one among his old friends. Admired by the great friendship character of Kuchela, Sri Krishna converted his old hut into a very big house and made him as a wealthy person. This shows how a relationship must be should be between the Paramathma and Jeevathma.
It is said that the Dwaraka sthalam exists in two parts. One is near to the Dwaraka railway station and is known as "Gomuki Dwaraka" and the other is known as "Pate Dwaraka" which is 20 miles away from Gomuki Dwaraka. It is believed that only in pate Dwaraka, Sri Krishna lived along with all the Yadhavas and his pirattis.
In Pate Dwaraka, the moolavar is Dwarakanathji, with a Conch & Wheel (Sanku and Chakram) in standing posture (Nindra thirukkolam). In his chest lies, Sri Lakshmai. Also separate sannadhis for Kalyanaraya Krishna, Thiruvikrama moorthy, Sri Lakshmi Narayana, Devaki, Jambavathi and Rukmani.
The temple is opened for worship from 5 Am in the morning and all the decorations known as Alangarams (different ways of dressings) for the Lord are done in the preseence of the devotees. In the morning, Dwaraknathji is dressed as a small child, and then as a king and after that as an old aged sage. Ekantha seva and Thirumanjanam (bath gives to the perumal with holy waters) are done.
About 2 Kms from Dwaraka, there is a separate temple for Rukmani and the beuatiful idol is made of white marble in standing pose.
The Divya Desams are revered by the 12 Azhvars in the Divya Prabandha, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses. Lord Shiva, the other major deity in Hinduism, is similarly associated with the Paadal Petra Sthalams, 275 Shiva temples which are praised in the Tevaram canon by the 63 Nayanars.
Divya Desam 106 - Sri Kalyana Narayana Perumal Temple:
PLACE : THIRUDWARAGAIPRESENT NAME : DWARAGA
BASE TOWN : JAM NAGAR
DISTANCE : 131 KM
MOOLAVAR : KALYANA NARAYANAN
THIRUKKOLAM : NINDRA
THIRUMUGAMANDALAM : WEST
THAYAR : KALYANA NACHIYAR
MANGALASASANAM : 13 PAASURAMS
PRATYAKSHAM : DROUPATHI
THEERTHAM : GOMATHI RIVER,SAMUDRA SAGAMAM
VIMANAM : HEMAKOODA VIMANAM
NAMAVALI : Sri Lakshmi Sri Rukmanyadhi Ashtamahishi sameda Sri Dwaragadeesa parabramane namaha
Dwaraka/Mukthi Kshetram/Moksha Puri is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located in Rajkot, Gujarat. Beth Dwaraka is the place where Sudhama (Kuchela) lived and worshipped Lord Krishna. This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Krishna built during 16th century. The sanctum sanctorum of Lord Krishna known as Jagat Mandir/Nija Mandir was built by his grandson some 2500 years back. The main entrance to this temple is called ‘Moksha Dwar’ as the name itself reveals the significance and the Southern entrance which leads to Gomathi Theertham known as Swarga Dwara. Dwaraka, Beth Dwaraka, Nath Dwara, Dakor and Kankroli are collectively known as Pancha Dwarka.
This sthalam deals all the stories that deal with the way he became the king and ruled the empire and ended the Krsihna Avatar for which it is taken.
Vada Mathura is known as the Janma Bhoomi (birth place) of Sri Krishnar; Aayarpadi is where He was brought up and lead his childhood days; and Dwaraka is the place where his Punya Avtar ended. Sri Krishna revealed His appearance for Brahma deva, Indra and all the other Devas and for Vasudeva and Devaki in prison in Vada Mathura divyadesam (Janma Bhoomi). Same way, Sri Krishna gave his appearance to Sri Nandagopar, who brought up Sri Krishna in Aayrpadi.
After all of his duties are over and the purpose for which he took the Krishna Avatar was over, he was killed by an archer, ulupadhan, who aimed at Sri Krishna's feet thinking it as a white pigeon. Thus, the avathaar of Sri Krishna ended in Thiru Dwaraka. In Dwaraka Sri Krishna revealed His presence to Rukmani, Sathyabama, Jambhavathi and other Ashta -maharishis, his friends, his sons, neighbors and all of Aayars in Dwaraka. These all persons thought that Sri Krishna belong to them, but He proved here that He belong to the entire Universe and to all the Jeevathmas in this mighty world.
Draupadhi who was also named as "Paanjali", married Panja Pandavas and she treated Sri Krishna as her own brother. When Draupathi was ill - treated in the midst of Duriyodhan's palace, Sri Krishna gave her clothes thereby protecting her. Thus, he gave His audience to Draupathi also.
There was a king in Mathura by named "Gargeya" who doesn't have any children. All the Yadhavas teased on him and as a result of it, he did a severe tapas towards Lord Shiva to bless with a son who would ride out the Yadhava families. Finally, on satisfied fully on the tapas of the king, Shiva gave the boon and Gargaya got a son and named as "Kaalayavannan". Gargeya king handed over the Kingdom to him, so that he could ride away the Yadhavas. He collected all of his troops to make an attack on the Yadhavas.
Knowing this beforehand, Sri Krishna asked the ocean king to help him out from this, by giving a place in the ocean a small town can be created and is ruled by Sri Krishna.
Sri Krishna asked Vishwakarma to build the town in the land and the place was built in a beautiful way with lots of streets, theerthams etc. It was built so beautiful that on seeing it one can say that place as an entering point (Dwaram) to heaven. Since, this place served as the Dwaram (entering point) to the heaven, this sthalam is called as "Dwaraka". So, Dwaraka is the place where all the Yadhavas in Mathura are transferred to Dwaraka.
Kaalayavannan attacked Mathura but at that time, since Sri Krishna and Balarama are born as a normal human being, they could not defend him and ran away from him and hide in to a cave. At the same time, Musukundan was resting there in the cave due to the strain against his fight again the devas.
Musukundan had got a peculiar boon and it is if any one kicks him, (or) whoever wakes him up they will be burnt to ash. Likewise, when Kaalayavannan entered into the cave and found Musukundan and awakened him. As soon as Musukundan opened his eyes, Kaalayavannan was burnt into ash. Finally, Musukundan felt on the feet of Sri Krishnar and asked for his relief. For that Sri Krishna explained him that in his next birth and in the next Janmam he was blessed by Sri Narayanan in Badrikasramam.
Another person who got the blessings and appearance of this sthalaperumal was Kuchela, who was a very poor Brahmin and a child-hood day acquaintance of Sri Krishna. As soon as Sri Krishna saw Kuchelar, he invited him and asked him to be seated.
Sri Krishna asked him what's the reason he had come for to meet as if he doesn't know the reason. But, the Emperumaan can easily understand why he has come for. At that time, Kuchelar gave him some hand pound. On getting the pounded rice Sri Krsihna was so happy with Kuchela and asked him that he will give some of his countries for him. But, poor Kuchelar doesn't want any of them, but he came only to see his one among his old friends. Admired by the great friendship character of Kuchela, Sri Krishna converted his old hut into a very big house and made him as a wealthy person. This shows how a relationship must be should be between the Paramathma and Jeevathma.
It is said that the Dwaraka sthalam exists in two parts. One is near to the Dwaraka railway station and is known as "Gomuki Dwaraka" and the other is known as "Pate Dwaraka" which is 20 miles away from Gomuki Dwaraka. It is believed that only in pate Dwaraka, Sri Krishna lived along with all the Yadhavas and his pirattis.
In Pate Dwaraka, the moolavar is Dwarakanathji, with a Conch & Wheel (Sanku and Chakram) in standing posture (Nindra thirukkolam). In his chest lies, Sri Lakshmai. Also separate sannadhis for Kalyanaraya Krishna, Thiruvikrama moorthy, Sri Lakshmi Narayana, Devaki, Jambavathi and Rukmani.
The temple is opened for worship from 5 Am in the morning and all the decorations known as Alangarams (different ways of dressings) for the Lord are done in the preseence of the devotees. In the morning, Dwaraknathji is dressed as a small child, and then as a king and after that as an old aged sage. Ekantha seva and Thirumanjanam (bath gives to the perumal with holy waters) are done.
About 2 Kms from Dwaraka, there is a separate temple for Rukmani and the beuatiful idol is made of white marble in standing pose.
Respected sir,
ReplyDeleteI read the article written on Dwaraka divya desam. Since I stayed at Jamnagar for 04 yrs full, Bhagawan gave me a lot of opportunities to have his darshanam in Dwaraka desam. But, one thing I would like to submit that there are some errors mentioning that our Bhagawan ended his mortal body & left this world from this place. But, in turn he ruled in Dwaraka as a king with his family after shifting from Mathura. He ended his avataram at a place called 'Prabhas pathan' also called Prabhasa kshetram near famous Jyotirlinga kshetram of SOMNATH. There is a place called as BHALKA THEERTH where he was his by arrow of hunter Jara and other place GOLOK DHAAM THEERTH where he ended his avataram & left for Vaikuntham. At this place only, Lord Balaraman took the form of Adisheshan & slithered back to paatala lokam through a cave called DAWOOJI NI GUFA.