Dwarka is located on the western coast of Gujarat on the shore of the Arabian Sea. Dwarka is famous for the Dwarkadheesh temple (Jagat Mandir) built on the north bank of the Gomti River . Dwarka was destructed by the sea and present dwarka is the 7 th city built.

Dwarka is once of the seven holy cities of India . Lord Krishna spent 100 yrs here. The main temple is of Lord Dwarkadhish. There is temple of Lord Baladevaji to the right of the main temple. The main temple is five-story high with the lavishly carved conical spire rising to a height of 157 feet. Dwarka is also the site of Dwarka Pitha, also known as Kalika Pitha.

Dvaraka extended up to Bet Dwaraka (Sankhodhara) in the north and Okhamadhi in the south. Eastward it extended up to Pindara.

Janmashtami (birthday of Lord Krishna), celebrated in the month of August/September, is a major festival of Dwarka.

Dwarka (Jamnagar district) in ancient Anarta (Saurashtra) was the capital of Lord Krishna's terrestrial kingdom. He shifted to Kusasthali which was the old name of the region to escape the harassing raids of Kamsa's father-in-law Jarasandha on Mathura after Krishna had killed Kamsa. Kusasthali was Krishna's ancestral place on his mother's side. It was founded by Raivata, his Yadava ancestor after he had lost his kingdom to Punyajanas and migrated to Mathura for safety; then he came back to found Kusasthali. So Krishna's migration to the Dwarka was in the reverse order.

Dwarka which was known as Suvarna Dwarka (the golden Dwarka) had been very prosperous and hence got the name. The Dwarkadhish temple honours Krishna Bhagwan and attracts thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the country. The Dwarka of Krishna's time lies submerged under the Arabian Sea. Tradition has itthat Krishna's residence was at Bet Dwarka, a few kms from the mainland Dwarka.

The Dwarkadhish temple (also known as Jagat temple) and its Sikhar rises to 170 feet. The pataka or flag of the temple is changed three times a day. Pilgrims and devotees vie with one another to pay for the flag. There are special tailors to stitch it. Before hoisting the flag it is taken round the temple by the donor. The five-storeyed temple stands on 60 pillars. The pilgrims enter the temple by Swarg Dwar (the gateway of heaven) and leave by Moksh Dwar (the gateway of salvation).

The temple has rich carvings. The ancient shrine has been supported by kings and commoners alike from its inception. It is one of the important moksh dhams. The Gomti River flows nearby.

The other temples in Dwarka are the Trikamji temple, Kalyanrai temple, the Patrani temple, Durvas temple, etc. Sharda Pith set up by Adi Shankaracharya imparts instruction in Sanskrit. Darukvan in the region is one of the Jyotirlingas.

How To Reach

Air

Nearest Airport is Jamnagar (146 Kms.)

Rail

Connects Dwarka and Jamnagar, 132 kms. away. Connecting Mumbai (945 kms.) via Rajkot (270 kms.) and Ahmedabad (453 kms.). Dwarka lies on the metre gauge link between Viramgam and Okha.

Road

State transport buses and luxury coaches are available from different parts of Gujarat.

[gmap]