Dwarka was the capital city of Lord Krishna's kingdom which is now located in Gujarat, Dwarka is the religious capital of Gujarat and the city and the city is part of both Char Dham and also Sapta Puris of the Hindu religion. Thus attracting millions of devotees every year.
Dwarka is located on the western tip of the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat, it is believed that Dwarka was the capital city of Lord Krishna's kingdom. Also known as Devbhoomi Dwarka, Dwarka is the only city that is a part of both Char Dham (four principal holy places) and also Sapta Puris (seven sacred cities) of the Hindu religion. Dwarka was a part of the ancient kingdom of Krishna and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, is also located in Dwarka. The beautiful beachside and the seashores are an added tourist attraction at Dwarka.
According to some legends it is said that the city was once engulfed by the sea and recent excavations reveal that a city did exist here. The name Dwarka translates to dwar meaning 'door' and ka meaning 'moksha' meaning the ‘door to salvation. The city of Dwarka is always flocked with devotees all around the year.
Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
Dwarkadhish Temple also known as the Jagat Mandir, is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The five storied main shrine is grand and marvelous in itself constructed of limestone and sand. The temple showcases intricate sculptural detailing done by the ancestral dynasties that ruled the region and the black magnificent idol of Lord Krishna. There are other shrines within the temple which are devoted to Subhadra, Balarama and Revathy, Vasudeva, Rukmini and many others. The eve of Janmashtmi is the most special occasion in any Krishna temple, the Dwarkadhish temple is adorned by thousands of devotees chanting prayers and rituals.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Dwarka
The Nageshwar Temple present in Dwarka is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Located on the route between Gomati Dwarka and the Bait Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. Also called as Nagnath Temple, the main deity here is Lord Shiva. According to the Shiva Purana, those who pray at the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga become free from all poisons, snake bites and worldly attractions.
The major attraction of the Temple is the massive 80 feet tall statue of Lord Shiva. The temple is characterized by typical Hindu architecture. The Nageshwar Shiva Linga is made up of stone, known as Dwarka Shila, having small chakras on it.
The importance of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga stems from the fact that it is believed to be the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. On the festival of Maha Shivaratri, the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple witnesses grand celebration, drawing flock of devotees from all across the globe.
Dwarka Beach, Dwarka
Situated on the Arabian Sea coast, the Dwarka Beach is a beautiful coastal holy site of Dwarka. Alongside beautiful lines of coral reefs, the Dwarka beach also home to some antique temples. Besides a line of food stalls, there are some colorful shells and beads stalls too.
Beyt Island, Dwarka
Located about 30 km from the main town of Dwarka, Beyt Island is a small island which was the main port here before the development of Okha. Present in the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch, the island is enclosed by a few temples, white sand beaches and coral reefs, which is the prime reason for the tourist activity in the region. Among the several activities available at the beach to engage the tourists, the most popular ones include dolphin spotting, marine excursions, beach camping and picnics etc.
It is believed that this is the place where Lord Krishna exchanged the bags of rice with his friend Sudama - as the story goes. Therefore, this place is also visited by several devotees for a pilgrimage as well.
Rukmani Temple, Dwarka
The Rukhmini Devi Temple is just about 1.5 km from the Dwarka city centre. This 12th century temple remnant carries out some evident architectural marvels of the time through its mural carvings and other structures.
According to Hindu mythical story, this temple begins with Rukhmini Devi and her husband Lord Krishna, picking up the sage Durvesha for dinner. On the way, Rukhmini Devi stopped to quench her thirst at the Ganges, with the help of her husband. Known to be short-tempered, Durvesha Muni was quite enraged when she did not offer him any water. Thus he summoned Rukhmini Devi to be separated from Lord Krishna. And therefore, her temple lies at the outskirts, while Lord Krishna's temple is within the Dwarka city.
Lighthouse, Dwarka
The Dwarka Lighthouse is present just about 2 km from the Dwarka city centre, the Dwarka lighthouse is a 43-metered tower. The Dwarka Lighthouse is not only a great sunset viewpoint, but the structure itself adorns an impressive architectural style. The modern light-bulb at the Lighthouse was installed between 1960 and 1962. The lighthouse also had an engulfing radar equipped with fog sensing signals via sounds and vibration. However, visitors are not allowed into the lighthouse.
Gopi Talav, Dwarka
Gopi Talav is a legendary lake in Dwarka, Gujarat. Legend has it that this lake used to be the childhood memory of Lord Krishna where he used to perform the dance of "raas' for his female admirers. It is believed that in a fit of restlessness from staying away from Krishna, the Gopis from Vrindavan arrived to dance with him one last time. Thus they offered to give up their lives and merge with the soil during this dance of divinity. Gopi Talav hones this soft yellowish soil, marking the mythical event of the Gopis of Vrindavan and Lord Krishna.
Gomti Ghat, Dwarka
The Gomti River is a significant tributary of the river Ganges and is the most revered waterbody in the Hindu faith. The serene ghat location is great for visitors. There are ferries and boat rides available here as well. Besides, it also makes for a pilgrimage too, as many devotees take a sacred dip in the salty waters of the Gomti river. Tradition has it that believers usually take a quick plunge in the river before heading for darshan at the Dwarakadhish Temple.
Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir, Dwarka
The Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a 5000 years old temple, which was built around a self-manifested Shivaling found in the Arabian Sea.
The temple gets submerged in the sea every year during monsoons, which devotees believe to be nature's way of performing the religious process of Abhishekam. For the rest of the year, the temple is visited often for its divine vibe and the scenic beauty of the attraction.
ISKCON Dwarka, Dwarka
The ISKCON Temple is located on Devi road, in Dwarka which is another manifestation of the Krishna Consciousness. The Temple houses idols of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha draped in rich attires and ornate in flowers, this is an entirely stone-built temple.
The ISKCON temple has its own beauty and elegance. Viewable from the terrace of the nearby Dwarkadhish Temple, the Dwarka ISKCON temple hosts a guest house with over 20 rooms.
Best time to visit Dwarka
The most prominent time to visit Dwarka is from November till the last of February when the city experiences cold winters. The Janmashtami Festival, is celebrated in the town during August and September. Hence, September to March are the best months to visit Dwarka.
Conclusion
Dwarka has a diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and historical sites, which is a heaven for pilgrims who wants to experience the religious aura of the city. From visiting the captivating Dwarkadhish Temple to the Beyt Island, each location in Dwarka gives a view into the rich beauty of this region. So pack your bags and follow this travel guide and explore the top places of Dwarka.
