Location : Gujarat
Dedicated to : Lord Krishna
Attractions Around : Rukmini Devi Temple, Gomati Ghat Temples, Bet Dwarka
Best time to Visit : October to March
About the Dwarkadhish Temple
The holy town of Dwarka in Gujarat has a history that dates back centuries. Situated on the banks of river Gomti, the city is famed for being the capital of Lord Krishna. The ancient Dwarka city is believed to have been submerged by raging sea waters to the bottom of the sea, where the remains are still believed to exist. A temple was built at the site around 400 BC by Vajranabhji, the great grandson of Lord Krishna, however the present structure was built during the 16th century in a typical Chalukyan style of architecture. The beautiful temple rises up to a height of 51.8 mts.
Also known as the Jagat Mandir, the temple has two shikhars. The Nij shikhar is where the idol of Lord Dwarkadhish is placed. The huge temple consists of 60 exquisitely carved pillars and a number of beautiful sculptures that depict the influence of various dynasties such as the Guptas, Pallavas, Martraks, Chavdas and Chanakyas, that ruled Dwarka over the years. The entrance to the temple is from the north, also known as the Moksha Dwaar while towards the south is the Swarg Dwaar, from where a series of steps leads down to the banks of river Gomti. According to legend, the temple was constructed in a single day by Vishwakarma, the lord of construction.
Other Attractions in Dwarka
Rukmini Devi Temple
The temple, located 1.5 km north of town is dedicated to Rukmini, the consort of Lord Krishna. This 12th century architectural masterpiece is perfected with beautiful paintings and intricately carved walls. According to legend, sage Durwasa cursed Rukmini that she would be seperated from Lord Krishna, as a result of which the temple of Rukmini is located outside the city, while that of Krishna inside.
Gomati Ghat Temples
The Gomati ghats, where river Gomati meets the ocean is considered especially holy and a bath here is said to be the shortest way to nirvana. The Samudra Narayan Temple is a huge structure that houses an image of Goddess Gomti, said to have been brought from heaven by sage Vasistha.
Bet Dwarka
Situated at a short distance from Dwarka, Bet Dwarka is a small island with several ancient temples. The east end of the island has an excellent beach with extensive water plants and animals. The beach is not much visited, therefore an excellent place to get away from the bustle of the city life.
Stay At
Dwarka, being an important Hindu pilgrimage, houses a number of quality hotels and lodges. Other options as dharmashalas and cheap lodges are also available that serve the needs of the budget traveller. Some of the best hotels at Dwarka include Hotel Dwarkadheesh (Budget hotel, located opp. swaminarayan mandir), Toran Tourist (situated near Govt. Guest House, 2 km from railway station), Hotel Radhika (situated near Dwarkadhish temple, 2 km from railway station) and Hotel City Palace (5 star, situated at Jawahar road).
Getting There
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By Air : Jamnagar is the nearest airport from Dwarka while Rajkot is another option to access the place by air. Government run Indian Airlines and other private airlines such as Jet Airways and Air Deccan operate regular services to both these locations. Ahmaedabad is another major airport which is connected by regular flights from all the major Indian cities.
By Rail : Dwarka has its own railway station which connects it to other major cities in India. Regular trains are available from nearby cities such as Jamnagar, Rajkot and Ahmedabad. The best way to reach the place is to board a train to any of the major cities around and take a train to Dwarka from there.
By Road : An excellent network of state and national highways runs through the entire state of Gujarat connecting it with other Indian cities. Interstate and local buses connect Dwarka with other cities within and outside the state.
Local Transport : Dwarka municipality runs a local bus to take the pilgrims across various destinations of religious and tourist prominence. The departure timings of the bus are 8:00 & 14:00 each day while the total time of the journey is around five hours. The ticket prices are Rs. 30 for an adult and Rs. 15 for a child. Tickets can be booked near the vegetable market, which is also the starting point of the journey. Major destinations covered are Nageshwar, Gopi Talao, Bet Dwarka and Rukminimata temple.
Distance from Major Cities
* Jamnagar : 116 Km
* Rajkot : 225 Km
* Ahmedabad : 384 Km
* Udaipur : 550 Km
* Ajmer : 742 Km
* Delhi : 1118 Km
* Mumbai : 534 Km