Udaipur, a city in Rajasthan, India, is known for its scenic beauty and royal heritage. It is home to the City Palace, one of the largest and most splendid palaces in India, which overlooks the Lake Pichola and the Jag Mandir island. But apart from the palace, there is another attraction in Udaipur that attracts many visitors every year. It is the Jagdish Temple, a majestic Hindu temple that is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of the main deities of Hinduism. Visit during One day trip Udaipur Local sightseeing
The temple is located in the heart of the city, just outside the royal palace. The temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651 AD and is a major monument in Udaipur. In this article, we will explore the overview, location, timing/entry fees, how to reach, things to do/must see, significance, FAQ’s and conclusion of this temple.
Overview of Jagdish Temple
The Jagdish Temple is a large Hindu temple that stands on a tall terrace and has a pyramidal structure. The temple has three stories and a spire that rises to a height of 79 feet. The temple has a double-storey hall (mandapa) and a double-storey sanctum (garbhagriha) with a covered ambulatory (pradakshina patha). The temple is made of sandstone and marble and has intricate carvings and paintings on its walls, ceilings, pillars, doors and windows.
The temple has four entrances, each with a flight of 32 steps. The main entrance faces east and has a brass image of Garuda, the eagle-like mount of Lord Vishnu. The temple has four smaller shrines at each corner of the main shrine, dedicated to Lord Ganesha (the elephant-headed god of wisdom and success), Surya (the sun god), Goddess Shakti (the divine feminine power) and Lord Shiva (the destroyer of evil). The main shrine has an idol of Lord Vishnu in his Jagannath form (meaning lord of the universe), carved out of a single black stone. The idol has four arms and is adorned with flowers and jewels.
Location of Jagdish Temple
The Jagdish Temple is located at Inside City Palace Complex, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001. Udaipur is a city in Rajasthan state, which is about 400 km south-west of Jaipur city. Udaipur is one of the oldest cities in India and has a rich history and culture. It is also known as “the City of Lakes” or “the Venice of the East” for its numerous lakes and palaces.
Timing/Entry Fees Jagdish Temple
The Jagdish Temple is open for visitors every day from 4:15 am to 1:00 pm and from 5:15 pm to 8:00 pm. There is no entry fee for visiting the temple, but donations are accepted at various places inside the temple. Visitors are required to remove their shoes before entering the temple premises and dress modestly and respectfully. Photography and videography are not allowed inside the temple.
How to Reach Jagdish Temple
The nearest airport to Jagdish Temple is Jaipur International Airport, which is about 250 km away from Udaipur city. From there, one can take a taxi or a bus to reach Udaipur city. The nearest railway station to Jagdish Temple is Udaipur Railway Station, which is about 5 km away from the temple. From there, one can take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the temple. There are also regular buses available from Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur and other cities to Udaipur city. Alternatively, one can also drive to Udaipur city by taking the National Highway 48 or 58 .
Things to Do/Must See Jagdish Temple
Apart from visiting the Jagdish Temple, there are many other things to do and see in Udaipur city. Some of them are:
- Visit the City Palace, which is one of the largest and most splendid palaces in India, which overlooks the Lake Pichola and the Jag Mandir island. The palace has several structures inside its premises, such as Sheesh Mahal (palace of mirrors), Durbar Hall (royal court), Jagdish Temple (dedicated to Vishnu), Crystal Gallery (displaying crystal objects) and more.
- Visit the Lake Pichola, which is another beautiful lake in Udaipur city, which has two islands: Jag Niwas (where the famous Lake Palace Hotel is located) and Jag Mandir (where a 17th-century palace is located). The lake also offers boat rides, sunset views and romantic ambience .
- Visit the Saheliyon Ki Bari, which is a garden built by Maharana Sangram Singh for his queen and her maids. The garden has fountains, pools, pavilions, statues and flowers .
- Visit the Sajjangarh Palace or Monsoon Palace, which is a hilltop palace built by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1884. The palace offers a panoramic view of the Udaipur city and the surrounding hills .
- Visit the Bagore Ki Haveli, which is a 18th-century mansion built by a prime minister of Mewar. The haveli has a museum that displays costumes, jewellery, paintings and other artifacts from the royal era. The haveli also hosts cultural shows such as puppet shows, folk dances and music in the evening.
Significance of Jagdish Temple
The Jagdish Temple is significant for many reasons. Some of them are:
- It is a majestic Hindu temple that is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of the main deities of Hinduism. Lord Vishnu is believed to be the preserver and protector of the universe, who incarnates in various forms to restore order and justice. The temple has an idol of Lord Vishnu in his Jagannath form, which means lord of the universe.
- It is also a major monument in Udaipur, which was built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651 AD. Maharana Jagat Singh I was a great ruler and patron of arts and culture, who expanded and beautified the Udaipur city. He also built the Lake Palace Hotel on Lake Pichola and renovated the City Palace.
- It is also a splendid example of Maha Maru or Maru-Gurjara architecture, which is a style of Hindu temple architecture that originated in Rajasthan. The temple has a pyramidal structure with a spire on top, supported by pillars and arches. The temple has intricate carvings and paintings on its walls, ceilings, pillars, doors and windows.
FAQ’s
Q: Why is Jagdish Temple called Jagdish-ji?
A: Jagdish Temple is called Jagdish-ji because it is a respectful way of addressing Lord Vishnu, who is also known as Jagannath or Jagdish. The suffix -ji is added to show reverence and affection to the deity.
Q: What are the timings of the Aarti at Jagdish Temple?
A: The Aarti is a ritual of offering prayers and lamps to the deity at Jagdish Temple. There are seven Aartis performed at different times of the day at the temple. They are:
Mangla Aarti: 4:30 am to 5:00 am
Dhoop Aarti: 7:45 am to 9:00 am
Shringar Aarti: 10:15 am to 11:00 am
Rajbhog Aarti: 11:30 pm to 12:00 pm
Gwal Aarti: 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Sandhya Aarti: 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm
Shayan Aarti: 8:15 pm to 8:45 pm
Q: What are the rules and regulations for visiting Jagdish Temple?
A: The rules and regulations for visiting Jagdish Temple are:
One has to remove their shoes before entering the temple premises.
One has to dress modestly and respectfully, covering their shoulders and knees.
One has to maintain silence and decorum inside the temple.
One has to refrain from smoking, drinking or eating inside the temple.
One has to follow the instructions of the staff and security personnel.
Conclusion
The Jagdish Temple is a majestic Hindu temple that is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of the main deities of Hinduism. It is also a major monument in Udaipur, which was built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651 AD. It is also a splendid example of Maha Maru or Maru-Gurjara architecture, which is a style of Hindu temple architecture that originated in Rajasthan. Visiting the Jagdish Temple is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that should not be missed by anyone who wants to explore the essence of Hinduism.
