Flag & Aarti

Among the most distinctive and moving traditions of Dwarka is the dhwaja (flag) ceremony at the Dwarkadhish temple — the ritual changing of the great temple flag that flies atop its towering spire. The Dwarkadhish temple’s shikhara rises some 78 metres, crowned by an enormous flag (the dhwaja) bearing the symbols of the sun and moon — emblems of Krishna, who is said to endure as long as they do. Remarkably, this flag is changed not once but several times every day, in a special ceremony: the new flag, often sponsored by devotee families (a privilege booked far in advance), is carried in procession with music to the temple and hoisted by members of the traditional Abhoti family, who climb to the pinnacle. To see the great flag fluttering against the sky over the sea, and to witness its changing, is one of the iconic experiences of Dwarka. Alongside this, the temple’s daily aartis (morning Mangla aarti and others) fill the shrine with light, song and devotion. These living rituals — the ever-renewed flag, the resounding aartis — are the heartbeat of one of Hinduism’s holiest temples. For the visitor, witnessing the flag ceremony and aarti at Dwarkadhish is an unforgettable, soul-stirring experience — best caught at the scheduled flag-change and aarti times. (The dhwaja (flag) ceremony and aartis at the Dwarkadhish temple; the flag changed several times daily; iconic rituals.)