History of Jagdish Temple
The construction of the Shri Jagdish Temple was undertaken by the ruler of Udaipur, Maharaja Jagat Singh, who had ruled over the city from 1628 to 1653. The temple was built on a small terrace, and the construction was over by the year 1651. The beautiful temple is constructed by the Hindu architectural science of Vastushastra. Even in those times, the ruler spent INR 1.5 million on the construction of this colossal structure.
Legend Associated with Jagdish Temple
A curious sight noticed by many at the Jagdish Temple is the slab of marble, which is placed where the stairway to the main temple complex starts. On this slab of marble, tourists and locals often form a queue, to rub their knees, shoulders or back against. It is said that this marble slab has the magical ability to soothe any aches in the body part the person rubs against it.
Architecture of Jagdish Temple
The three-storied Jagdish Temple is an architectural marvel that boasts of beautifully adorned ceilings, intricately carved pillars and large airy halls. The structure is an excellent example of the M?ha M?ru or the M?ru-Gurjara style of architecture. The Shri Jagdish Temple is one of the most beautiful examples of Hindu iconography that you can find in India. The structure consists of three stories of hand-carved stone. The spire of the main temple is about 79 feet in height and is ornamented with sculptures of dancers, horsemen, elephants and musicians. The spire dominates the skyline of Udaipur and is indeed a sight to behold.
The main shrine of the temple has a marvellous four-armed image of Lord Vishnu which is carved out of a single piece of black stone. This main shrine is located in the centre, with four smaller shrines encircling it. These smaller shrines are Lord Ganesha, Sun God, Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiva respectively.The structure of the Jagdish Temple is complete with a pyramidal spire, a prayer hall known as the mandap and a porch. Both the first and second floors of the temple possess fifty intricately carved pillars each.
Deterioration of Statues at Jagdish Temple
Interestingly, a lot of the carvings at the Jagdish Temple; specifically those of the elephants, horses and warriors are now disfigured. This is not because of the general wear and tear due to the passage of time but a deliberate harm done to the temple. These fantastic carvings were destroyed on purpose by the Mughal invaders when they took control of this part of the city. These invaders were apparently quite angry because of their defeat in numerous battles that were fought around the city. Thus, they took out their anger by vandalising and defacing these carvings. Hence, the elephants now have their tusks destroyed, and the horsemen have their faces bashed in.
How to Reach Jagdish Temple
The Jagdish Temple is located in inside the City Palace Complex of Udaipur. The temple is located centrally in the city of Udaipur, and hence several roads radiate to and fro the street square, which is known as the Jagdish Chowk, where the Jagdish Temple is located. Therefore, it can be reached via buses, autos or other road transports from all parts of the city including the Airport and the Railway station.
Top Tourist Places in Udaipur
City Palace
Fateh Sagar Lake
Sajjangarh Palace
Doodh Talai Musical Garden
Jaisamand Lake
Vintage Car Museum
All Tourist Places in Udaipur
Tips
1. Due to the heavy crowd at the temple, it is easy to lose valuable things here. Hence, it is best to avoid carrying expensive objects to the temple.2. If you intend to visit the temple while on a tour of the City Palace, ensure that you are wearing comfortable footwear.3. Removing shoes is compulsory while at the shrine.
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