Location:      Near the Eastern Banks of Yamuna
Ideal Time to Visit:     Anytime round the year, 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
How to Reach:     Hire a cab or Auto from the hotel

Dwarkadhish Temple is not only an important temple of Mathura but also of India. Built in 1814, Dwarkadhish Temple is situated in the heart of the city of Mathura. Dwarkadhish Temple that is currently managed by the followers of the Vallabhacharya sect is the most visited temple in Mathura. Located in the eastern part of Mathura, not far from the Yamuna River, the temple is architecturally very interesting.

One Seth Gokul Das Parikh who was the treasurer of the estate of Gwalior built Dwarkadhish temple that is dedicated to Lord Krishna. He is supposed to be a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna. An excellent work of art, the interiors of the temple include images of the Lord Krishna, his beloved Radha and other Hindu deities. The architecture of the temple has elements of local art and aesthetics. The temple carving and paintings are major attractions. The temple is a hub of activity during the festive days of Holi, Janmashtmi and Dipawali.

About Mathura

Kusum Sarovar made of red sandstone is a major attraction in Mathura Mathura is better known as the birth place of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was borne in prison which today lies in Sri Krishna Janamabhumi, a vast temple complex in the heart of Mathura. Located on the west banks of the sacred Yamuna, Mathura is fifty-six kilometers away from Agra and is at a distance of hundred and forty five kilometers from Delhi. Mathura is dotted with several significant landmark associated with the life and times of Lord Krishna. The Dwarkhadhesh temple, the Kansa Qila, the Sati Burj and the Jama Masjid are some of the major tourist attractions of Mathura.

Pic by :  Swami Gaurangapada

Pic by :  Swami Gaurangapada

JESAL – TORAL ( ANJAR KUTCHH )

Couple “Jesal” and “Toral”. Jesal was famous bandit of kutch, and toral was a holy princess. The company of toral changed the jesal and he became the saint. Together they served the people in kutch. This fare is held at “anjar” 45 kms. From “bhuj”, this fare is also one of the most famous and worth watching.

Image credit : YOGESH MASURIA

Here goes the story of Jesal Toral.

According to Darshana Dholakia lecturer at Lalan College Bhuj back in 1526 AD this is a story of a dacoit and a queen. Jesal was a Kutchi rajkot and he was dacoit.  Once he was challenge by his brothers wife that if he is brave enough steal the toral and prove it. Toral was extraordinary mare belonging to a Surashtra king. In the process of stealing Toral, Jesal’s hand got caught in a nail and his agonised cries brought the king running outside. Asked what he wanted, Jesal said “Toral”, not knowing that the queen too had the same name. The king, a devout daani (donor) who had sworn never to disappoint anyone, gave him three Torals-his queen, the mare and a sword by that name. But on the boat journey back home, Jesal realised that Toral was not an ordinary woman. He was tormented by guilt at having taken away someone who, out of loyalty, did not even question her husband’s decision. It is said that the enlightened company of Queen Toral, remembered in Gujarati literature as a devotional poet who composed and sang songs, transformed Jesal completely and the two began spreading the message of God.
Their inseparable companionship as teacher and disciple is talked about, but in cautious tones. No one, not even the local scholars, wants to discuss the Jesal-Toral alliance as a man-woman relationship. “Even the Gujarati film Jesal-Toral did not suggest any such angle,” recalls photographer Vinay Thacker, who started his career in 1976 by selling photos of the twin samadhis outside the shrine. However, people do accept their unusual affinity, which even death couldn’t change. It is said that when Jesal undertook samadhi, he called out to Toral from his grave to join him. Toral, who was travelling, heard his voice, came back to Anjar and immediately took samadhi. Toral, the mare, too was buried outside the temple. A green and magenta chaddar now covers the equestrian grave. The destroyed roof of the shrine has been temporarily replaced with an asbestos sheet. But that hasn’t stopped the huge throng of pilgrims who pour out endless tales of miracles attributed to the blessings of Jesal-Toral. Thacker believes that his photography has been blessed by the shrine. An old priestess recalls how she stood unmoving, hands folded during both the earthquakes at the samadhis. “Toral rani saved me, I didn’t even sustain a scratch,” she says. A woman from Patna says she gave birth to two sons after 16 years of marriage, following a visit to the shrine.

Courtesy :  http://archives.digitaltoday.in/indiatoday/20031215/offtrack.html