Holy Destinations of India

Dwarka

Dwarka is one of the four most holy Hindu pilgrimage sites in India and isclosely related tothe life of Lord Krishna. It is said to have been the capital of his empire. It boasts of architectural relics that have been the focus of historians as well as saints who aim to unravel its antiquity.

Dwarka the headquarters of Okhamandal taluka is in the extreme west of the Saurashtra peninsula on the Arabian Sea. It is a station on the Ahmedabad-Okha broad gauge railway line, about 137-km from Jamnagar, 217 km from Rajkot and 378 km from Ahmedabad.

A state highway with Jamnagar and Okha also connects it. Nearest airport is Jamnagar. Dwarka lies on 20.22' north latitude and 69.05' east longitude and built on the night bank of Gamut creek. Dwarka was known as the city of Gold. Shree Krishna came here from Mathura along with some Yadav families and establishes his own empire Dwarka. That was the legend but science proved it partially. Scientists researched on that and have found some facts.

Dwarka is derived from 'Dwar', a door, and in ancient times its flourishing port was considered to be the gateway to the main land. As 'Ka' means 'Brahma' meaning, gateway to Moksha. It is called Dwarkamati and Dwarkavati. Being adopted home and capital of Shri Krishna after he gave up Mathura. It is held in such a high esteem as a place of Hindu pilgrimage that it is considered to be one of the four principle holy places or chardham, it is also known as Mokshapuri.

History of Dwarka
Steeped in Hindu mythology, Dwarka was known as Kushasthali or Dwaravati and prided itself as the most important spot on the Saurashtra coast. It is said that Krishna, after slaying Kansa fled Mathura and and traveled with the entire Yadava community and founded a town called Swarnadwarika.

Vajranabh, Krishna's successor and great grandson, is believed to have built the present Dwarkadhish Temple. It is believed that a dying Krishna asked his devotees to leave Swarnadwarika so that the sea could engulf it and to this day, the city lies below the sea. Excavations have revealed that the sea swallowed five settlements with Dwarka being the sixth.

Dwarka Nagari - Popular Myths

(1) Dwarka was considered as Capital at Shree Krishna hile Bet Dwarka as residence. Shree Krishna used to conduct his religious assembly at Dwarka.

(2) Gopi Lake is located 14 kms. A way from Dwarka. Soil of Gopi talav is yellow in color while it is extremely smooth. There is myth that after leaving ' Vruj' , Krishna never gone back to 'Vruj'. During Krishna's Childhood, he played ras leelas many times with gopies (young female inhabitant of Vruj). They traveled from 'Vruj' to Dwarka, to meet Shree Krishna. They after playing Ras Leelas again with Shree Krishna, on night of 'Sharad Purnima', they offered their lives to soil of this land and hence this land has become popular as 'Gopi Talav'.

(3) Rukhmini Temple (Temple one of Shree Krishna's Patranis), is located 2 kms a away from Dwarka There is a myth associated with it once Krishna and Rukhmini went to 'Durvasha rushi' to invite him at Dwarka. He was agreed on the condition that they (Krishna & Rukhmini) have to carry the chariot instead of any animal. Krishna & Rukhmini happily agreed to do so. While driving the chariot, Rukhmini became thirsty. Then Krishna stopped the chariot and made water of Holy River Ganga. 'Durvasha' annoyed by the action and curse Rukhmini to stay away from Shree Krishna Hence Rukhmini temple is located 2 kms. Away from Dwarka's Jagat Mandir.

Airlift technique was adopted for digging within the caisson to dig trenches on the sides of structures. All drawings were prepared underwater.

Places to visit
The main attraction here is the Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as Jagat Mandir dating back 2,500 years. The main structure is five-storeys high with a lavishly carved conical spire rising to a height of 157 ft. There are 60 columns supporting the roof of the audience hall of the Temple.

Equally attractive is the ornate Rukmini Temple. Dedicated to Krishna's wife Rukmini, who is laso considered to be a reincarnation of Goddess Lakshmi (wealth), the Temple is decorated with carvings and idols.

Festivals in Dwarka

Janamashtmi: The birth anniversary of Krishna is celebrated in August. Devotional songs fill the air and carry on till midnight till when Krishna was born.

Best Time to visit
The best time to visit Dwarka is between October and March.

How to reach
By Air
Jamnagar, 145 kms away, is the nearest airport.

By Train
Dwarka is a station on the Ahmedabad-Okha broad gauge railway line connected to Jamnagar, Rajkot (217 kms) and Ahmedabad (378 kms).

By Road
There is regular bus service from Jamnagar, Rajkot and other nearby towns connected to Dwarka.

Accommodation in Dwarka

Photos of Dwarka

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