Dhwaja Aarohan
Several devotees vow to hoist Dhwaja of their own on the Dwarkadheesh temple. It is a kind of faith, worship and form to offer prayers to the Lord Krishna.It becomes a festival, a religious ritual in the family. A devotee celebrates and performs Dhwaja Aarohan as per his wish and capacity. He invites his friends and relatives. They ceremonially carry dhwaja on their heads, move towards Dwarkadheesh temple in a procession, chanting songs and slogans in praise of the Lord- Jay Ranchhod – Raja Ranchhod, Gopal Krishna – Radhe Krishna etc. A prayer is offered to Dhwajaji traditionally with the help of learned priests. Dhwaja is placed at pious feet of Dwarikadheesh with offerings and then it is handed over for hoisting. As an accomplishment of the whole process, the priest throws a coconut from top of the peak to mark the Dhwajaaarohan. The pieces of the broken coconut are distributed as the Lord’s prasadam.
Dhwajarohan- Now Four Times at Dwarkadheesh’s Jagat Mandir
Dhwaja related rules at Dwarkadheesh’s Jagat Mandir have been revised to facilitate devotees. Accordingly, Dhwaja will be changed four times in a day with the new year 2063 of Vikram Samvat. Four times of different dhwajas will be as per IST 0700 hrs to 0830 hrs, 0839 hrs to 1030 hrs, 1030 hrs to 1230 hrs and 1730 hrs in the evening. Booking for three times morning Dhwaja will have to be done three months before whereas the spot booking for evening Dhwaja of every Thursday will be done a day earlier. As usual the booking will be done in the office of the Gugalijnati in Dwarka.
Devotees can book Dhwaja offerings at Gugali Brahmins’ office (Ph. +91 2892 234105) and/or Dwarka Mandir Vyavasthapan Samiti’s office (Ph. +91 2892 234080)
Dwarkadheesh’s flag (Dhwaja) always flies high. It has a special meaning to the devotees. The worshipers of Dwarkadheesh have lot to say in praise of hoisting the flag on the peak. In fact, for the devotees it is more than any other family event or a festival.
Aadhi Bhoutik
Aadhi means place and Bhautik means Panchtatva woven cloth of Dhwaja. 52 yards of cloth is used for Dhwaja and fifty-two small flags are joined around border of fifty-two yards of Dhwaja in which each yard ties in its own independent existence & identity. Each yard indicates entrance of Dwarka of Krishna era and it also symbolizes flags on the residence of fifty-two officers of Dwarka. All these fifty-two yards combine to make a single Dhwaja. These yards also symbolize fifty entrances as well as Swarg Dwar& Moksha Dwar of Dwarkadheesh palace. Thus Dhwaja of Dwarkadheesh is combining Aadhi Bhoutik swaroop of entrances & residence of Yadav officers.
Adhyatmik
Word Dhwaja is quite auspicious & honorable word, which creates sense of respect. People respect its Adhyatmikswarup, and bow to Dhwaja as a mark of devotion & respect.
Aadhidaivik Swarup
Dhwajaji of Dwarkadheesh indicates its divine nature. When each yard of cloth is separate and isolated, it is merely apiece of cloth. But when it is tailored to make Dhwaja, it incarnates divine nature and becomes abode of Dwarkadheesh’s aadhidaivikswaroop. Till this divine incarnated Dhwaja is hoisted, Dwarkadheesh resides at the residence of its devotee and makes his home and his family members very auspicious.