Kankroli Temple
Devotees of Bhakti Marg of the Vallabhacharya sect worship Lord Krishna in his many forms and from Mathura to Dwarka and other spots in Western India, there are Lord Krishna temples known as Dwarkadheesh temples. Dwarkadheesh is one of the titles of Lord Krishna meaning Lord of Dwarka. Dwarka is the top pilgrimage spot but there are also other Dwarka, one of which is in Kankroli in Rajsamand District in Rajasthan. There is an interesting story about how Kankroli Dwarka became one of the Panch Dwarka. Dwarkadhish Temple of Kankroli is one of the prominent tourist attractions of Nathdwara located in the Kankroli Village. This temple also famous as ‘Kankroli Temple’. Hindu deity Krishna is the sole deity of this beautiful temple. Here the red stone idol of the deity is praised with full devotion and dedication. Many believe that the red stone idol of Lord Krishna had been brought from Mathura. Maharana Raj Singh I built the temple in 1676. This temple belongs to Vaishnavas and the Vallabhacharya sects. Located at a distance of 65 km from Udaipur city, Dwarkadhish Temple is at the shore of Rajsamand Lake.
The temple of Dwarkadheesh is located in the village of Kankroli which is located at a distance of 65 km from Udaipur. Dwarkadhish is a name that is used in the context of Lord Krishna as this shrine is dedicated to Lord Krishna. This temple has special importance from the religious point of view and has attracted millions of devotees from various parts of the world. The temple has a calm and serene ambiance that relieves the devotees of the tensions and soothes their souls. This temple is one of the main reasons why the village has gained such a lot of popularity. The ambiance of this temple is very relaxing and calm. The tranquil environment and the cool soothing breeze from the Rajsamand Lake can help you to forget all your problems and sorrows. People coming here have a moving spiritual experience that stays with them long after they have left the place. The visit to this temple is a different experience by itself. Your trip to Rajasthan shall not be considered complete without visiting the Dwarkadhish temple at Kankroli.
History of Kankroli Temple
Kankroli Dwaraka, Kankroli TempleDuring the Moghul period temples were in danger of being desecrated and one such temple was that of Dwarkadhishji in Gokul. Devotees transported the idol to Ahmedabad in the care of Goswami Shri Girdharji Maharaj who later on, at the request of Shri Ranjitsinhji, Maharana of Udaipur, brought the idol to Kankroli where it was installed in a shrine in Aasotia village in 1726. The shrine was on the banks of the Rajsamand Lake. The temple was flooded by rains and then Maharaj Kumar Shree Amar Singhji allotted hilly land for construction of a new temple around 1776 and this temple was also on the banks of the Rajsamand Lake. The temple underwent renovations and extensions until 1980. Some claim that the idol was transported finally to Shrinathji at Nathdwara.
The central idol of the temple was imported from Mathura by Maharana Raj Singh in the year 1671 CE. The temple was constructed at the same time when the Rajsamand Lake was inaugurated – that is in 1676 AD. The grandson of Vallabhacharya, Sri Bal Krishna Ji took the responsibility of taking care of the deity and its idol. It is since then that this temple is one of the most important centers of worship for the followers of the Vaishnavite cult. This temple has the highest rank amongst all the other Vallabhacharya temples. It shall remind you of the Nathdwara temple.
Location: 65 km from Udaipur, In Kankroli Rajsamand
Built-in: 1676 A.D
Dedicated to: Lord Dwarikadhish (Krishna)
How to Reach: One can easily reach Kankroli Temple from Udaipur city by taking Regular Buses or by hiring Taxis
The temple follows the haveli style of architecture and it is far less crowded than the temple at Nathdwara, making for a blissful experience to sit on the steps and contemplate the Lake. The temple stands on top of a hill and it is made of marble, stone, brick, and mortar. While it is quiet for most days of the year, on Poonam or full moon days it comes alive as well as on Holi, Diwali, Ram Navami, Janmashtami, and Akshay Teej. There are festivals and fairs during these times. Like in other temples there is a garbha graha or sanctum where the idol is installed and there are adjoining rooms for various purposes.
How to Reach Kankroli Temple and Location of Kankroli Temple
Kankroli is located in Rajsamand district in Rajasthan, about 68 km north of Udaipur. Rajsamand is famous for its Rajsamand Lake built by Maharaja Raj Singh and the temple sits on the banks of the Lake. Kankroli is on the Udaipur-Ajmer Highway. The best way to reach Kankroli is by road from Udaipur or Ajmer. There are plenty of state transport buses as well as private taxis and private buses. One can travel from Jaipur, a distance of 345kms. The temple of Dwarkadhish is based in the village of Kankroli which is nearby to the city of Udaipur. People who want to visit this temple can easily avail of the local transport system from Udaipur and reach the destination. They can take buses or can also hire private taxis.
Best Time to Visit Kankroli Temple and Weather Kankroli Temple
Winter is the best time to visit Kankroli when the weather is cool and the Lake is crowded with migratory birds. Just after rains is another good time to visit Dwarakadheesh temple in Kankroli. The temple can be visited at any part of the year. The winters are however the season that will be the most comfortable for sightseeing and visiting different places of the city. Festivals related to Lord Krishna are yet again the best time to visit this temple to see the celebrations.
Things to Do in Kankroli Temple and Around Kankroli Temple
The temple is a beautiful creation that is adorned with very charming gardens and also a very interesting library. Other things can also interest the tourist such as the nearby Navchauki Dam. This dam is super for watching birds. The central idol of the temple is made of red stone and hence looks very different and beautiful.
Kankroli Temple Darshan Timings
Kankroli Dwarka temple opens at 7 AM and closes at 11 AM. In the evening the timings are from 4 PM to 7 PM. Ceremonies include morning Mangla aarti, shringar, Raj bhog, evening utham, and Shayan. Janmashtami is the perfect time to view the extended ceremony that goes on for the night. The temple is open to throughout the day and people can visit the temple at any time of the day.
Dwarkadhish Temple of Kankroli Nathdwara
Kankroli is a small town, located at a distance of 65 km from the city of Udaipur. Kankroli is mainly known for its temple, which is sited on the banks of renowned Rajsamand Lake. Kankroli Temple is popularly called as the temple of Dwarikadhish. Dwarikadhish is one of the names of Lord Krishna. This Temple is the most significant temple of the Vaishnavas and Vallabhacharya sect. The chief deity of Kankroli temple is believed to have imported from Mathura, the hometown of Lord Krishna.
The idol of Lord Dwarikadhish was brought in 1671 A.D., during the rule of Maharana Raj Singh. The idol was placed in the present temple, which was constructed at the time of the inaugural ceremony of the Rajsamand Lake in 1676 A.D. Shri Bal Krishna Ji, the grandson of Vallabhacharya, took the initiative to care for the deity. Since then, Kankroli Temple is the third peeth (religious temple) of Vaishnav religion as Pushtimarg (way to completion).
Kankroli Temple would remind you of the famous Nathdwara temple, which we have discussed in the other article of this section. Dwarikadhish Temple has a very quiet and soothing ambiance. It carries away all the tensions at once and bestows a heavenly bliss. In the complex of the Temple, there is a small garden where you can sit and enjoy the beauty of nature. You will also come across a library that possesses a huge compilation of old books. Kankroli Temple has also maintained a band group.
Kankroli Temple is the biggest temple of Lord Dwarikadhish in Kankroli and ranks very high among all the temples of Vallabhacharya. Dwarkadheesh Temple offers a tranquil view of the cool and calm Rajsamand Lake. Every year, people in large numbers come to visit this temple from all over India. If you are visiting Udaipur, you must visit this temple of Dwarikadhish, to receive the blessings of Lord Dwarikadhish.
