Dwarka Dham is an ancient religious city and one of the holy places among the Char Dhams. It is very popular all over the world and mainly in Vaishnavism for Jagat Mandir - Dwarkadhish Temple, where lakhs of devotees of Lord Shri Krishna visit throughout the year.
Flag hoisting at Dwarkadhish Temple
Each of our sacred places is associated with specific rituals and practices. Tula Daan, Flag Hoisting and daily type of Bhog Sewa are the most important rituals observed in Dwarka. Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka: Five flag hoisting takes place daily in the Jagat temple. Devotees revere the spiritual form of Dhwajaji and bow down to him as a symbol of devotion, respect, pure love and faith. T
here is so much reverence and devotion among the devotees regarding this flag that sometimes the devotees have to wait for two years to offer it.
Details about flag function and flag:
❀ A huge multicolored majestic flag fixed on the top of the pillar of the temple is always flying which can be seen from a distance of 10 km.
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The flag on the temple of Dwarkadhish is the symbol of the sun and the moon. There is a belief behind this that as long as the sun and the moon remain on this earth, the name of Dwarkadhish will remain. Sun and Moon are considered symbols of Lord Krishna. Hence, a flag symbolizing the sun and the moon is hoisted on the top of the
Dwarkadhish temple.
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The flag is made of 52 yards of cloth, which is changed 5 times a day – three times in the morning and twice in the evening.
❀ As a culmination of the whole process, the men climbing to hoist the flag throw a coconut from the top of the peak to mark the flag hoisting. Then the broken coconut pieces are distributed as Prasad to the Lord.
❀ The flag change is a huge ceremony. The family sponsoring the flag feeds all the brahmins of Dwarka followed by an elaborate puja. They carry the flag on their heads and bring it to the temple singing and dancing.
❀ The flag is offered to the deity after which a member of the Brahmin community goes up and changes the flag. When the flag is being changed, everyone stops to watch the new flag being raised.
Significance of the colors of Dhwajaji of Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
The different colors of the flag represent the "Shyam Rang" body of Lord Shri Krishna. These include the various colors of the rainbow used in the flag, such as red, green, yellow, blue, white, pink and saffron. Red color symbolizes good opportunity and bravery, green color symbolizes peace and progress, yellow color for knowledge, blue color for power, white for cleanliness and peace, saffron color for bravery, pink for happiness.
Dwarka is regarded as
Mokshapuri, one of the seven most revered pilgrimage centers in India and the flag hoisted on top of the temple of Dwarkadhish in Dwarka is considered highly auspicious, sacred, divine and praiseworthy. The ritual has acquired spiritual significance
as it is believed that Hari-Vishnu-Trivikram, who free mankind from the bondage of karma, always resides in Dwarka. Once their wish is granted, the devotees offer to hoist the flag with full faith.