Jagdish Temple Udaipur, History, Timings, Architecture, Entry Fee, Interesting Facts, Things to Do, Nearby Attractions

Jagdish Temple Udaipur, History, Timings, Architecture, Entry Fee, Interesting Facts, Things to Do, Nearby Attractions, Best Time to Visit, How to Reach.

About Jagdish Temple

Jagdish Temple is one of the famous temples of Udaipur. Located in the City Palace complex of Udaipur, this temple is made in the Indo-Aryan style of architecture. In 1651, Jagdish temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh, who ruled Udaipur during 1628-53. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Laxmi Narayan), the preserver of the Universe. It is celebrated for being the largest temple in the city of Udaipur. The gateway of this temple can be sited at a distance of 150 meters from the Bara Pol of the City Palace.

This three-storied temple is a wonder of architecture that comprises beautifully carved pillars, decorated ceilings, painted walls and lush halls. In those times, 1.5 million rupees were spent to raise this structure. The spire of the main temple is around 79 feet high that undoubtedly dominates the skyline of Udaipur. This shikhar (spire) is festooned with sculptures of dancers, elephants, horsemen and musicians making it truly a sight to behold.

As and when you approach the temple, you will be welcomed by two huge stone elephants at the entrance. On the very front of the temple, you would find a stone slab that is imprinted with the inscriptions with reference to Maharaja Jagat Singh. To reach the main shrine, you have to take a marble flight of 32 steps. Here, you will find a brass image of Garuda, a figure of half-man and half-eagle. This huge idol stands as if; it is guarding the doorway of Lord Vishnu.

The main shrine houses the striking four-armed image of Lord Vishnu. This idol is carved out of a single piece of black stone. A single glimpse of the idol takes the person to the celestial world to find everything calm and serene. The main shrine of Lord Jagdish/ Vishnu is centrally located encircled by four smaller shrines. These shrines are dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Sun God, Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiva respectively.

History

The temple was built on a tall terrace and the construction was over by the year 1651. It was built by the ruler of Udaipur during the year 1628-1653, Maharaja Jagat Singh. The entire construction of the temple cost 1.5 million rupees during that time. The temple is a perfect example of Maru-Gurjara architecture. The temple stands tall touching the skyline of Udaipur and making it the most beautiful structure in the city.

Architecture

Jagdish temple has a magnificent architecture and its gateway can be easily sited from the Bara Pol of the City Palace which at a distance of 150 meters. This three storied temple has finely carved pillars, beautifully decorated ceilings, well-painted walls, and lush halls. It was known that it costs around 1.5 million rupees at that time to build it. It’s 79 feet high spire of the main temple rules Udaipur skyline. Jagdish temple main temple spire decorated with well-crafted sculptures of dancers, elephants, horsemen, and musicians.

At the welcome gate of the temple there are two huge stone elephants and on the very front of the temple, a stone slab has inscriptions with reference to Maharaja Jagat Singh. There are 32 marble steps to reach the main shrine. A brass image of Garuda which is actually a figure of half-man and half-eagle is depicting like it is guarding the doorway of Lord Vishnu.

Jagdish temple main shrine has a magnificent idol of four-armed Lord Vishnu. This complete idol of Lord Vishnu is carved out of a single piece of black stone. It attracts everyone with its holy and divine looks. There four other smaller shrines which encircling the main shrine. These shrines are dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Sun God, Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiva respectively.

There are other artistic architectures which are famous and attractive too. Like a pyramidal spire, mandap (prayer hall) and a porch are best among them. The first and the second story of the temple possess 50 pillars each and all have magnificent carvings which add to temple beauty. The Jagdish temple was also built with Hindu architectural science of ‘Vastushstra’.

Interesting Facts

• Jagdish temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh in the year 1651, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• The gateway of the temple is about 150 metres from the Bara Pol entrance of the City Palace.
• The temple is three-storied and 79 feet high, which can prominently be seen in the skyline of Udaipur.
• Back when it was built, 1.5 Million rupees were spent in its construction and completion.
• The dome of the temple is designed with sculptures of elephants, dancers, horsemen and musicians, which give the temple a distinct quality.
• Two massive stone elephants guard the gates of the temple, and inscriptions about Maharana Jagat Singh can be found right at the entrance.
• The idol of Lord Vishnu in the shrine was carved out of a single piece of black stone, making it a celestial sight to behold.
• There are four smaller shrines consisting of the idols of Lord Shiva, Ganesh, the Sun God, and Goddess Shakti.
• A brass statue of a Garud (half human half eagle) greets visitors at the door, giving the impression of guarding the deity.

Things to Do

• As the shrine is a place of worship, devotees can not only get to see their deity, but at the same time get to admire the intricate carvings and paintings of the temple complex.
• A tourist would experience just as much delight in the temple as a devotee would given the beautiful architecture of the shrine.
• During a tour of the City Palace, the Jagdish temple is always recommended as it depicts the kind of architecture and design the Mewar dynasty of Rajasthan was passionate about.
• Observing the miniature carvings and taking a keen look at the Mandap, Sandhara as well as the Samavarna areas of the temple tell a lot about the attention to detail the Mewar rulers used to have.
• A few religious customs should be followed when entering the temple. Removing shoes is compulsory while at a shrine.
• The temple is prone to be crowded, so one must be prepared to carefully manoeuvre through the people.
• Offerings like garlands and sweets are available to purchase from the temple complex if one wishes to offer those to the deity, though it is not a compulsion.
• One can visit the huge temple first of all and it is guaranteed that once anyone visits the temple, the person will not feel like coming back. Apart from that sightseeing can be done as well. The temple architecture will be a heart stealer for many and it is so huge that it will take time to finish seeing it.

Things to Carry

• Due to the amount of crowd gathering at the temple, it is easy to lose valuable things, so one must carry any expensive objects keeping in mind their safety.
• If the temple is visited during a tour of City Palace, comfortable shoes should be worn, though they should be removed when entering the shrine.
• Guide Availability
• English and Hindi speaking guides are available in the City Palace, who help in giving a background about the Jagdish temple as well.

Timings

4.15am to 1pm

5.15pm to 8pm

Entry Fee

There is no entry fee needed to enter the temple – it is open to all.

Nearby Attractions

• The City Palace complex is filled with many other monuments of the Mewar dynasty and are usually crowded by tourists.
• The Lake Palace and Lake Garden Palace are located in the middle of Lake Pichola on separate islands that are also quite famous.
• Art and craft shops are located in the complex of City Palace which can be visited during the tour.
• Souvenir shops and traditional Rajasthani culture shops are near the City Palace and can be visited after the Jagdish temple.
• Bagore Ki Haveli is also located quite nearby and can be included in the tour with City Palace.
• Places like the Peacock courtyard, Mohan Mandir, and other structures around the Jagdish temple are easily accessible and can provide a lot of insight into the Rajasthani culture of the Mewar dynasty in Udaipur.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the temple is during winter season as one can enjoy the best of sightseeing during that season with pleasant weather. Apart from that during festival one can visit the temple to see it in its best décor and pomp.

How to Reach

Udaipur Jagdish Temple is one of the best tourist attractions in the region. To visit Jagdish temple, you need to come to Gangaur Ghat Road, Lal Ghat.