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, the 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 hills. 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 concerning 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.
