| FACTS
& FIGURES
Population : 52,000
Languages : Gujarati, English, and Urdu
Best Time to Visit : October to March
STD Codes : 02892
LOCATION
dwarka is situated in the extreme west of the
Indian state of Gujarat in the Saurashtra peninsula
on the Arabian Sea. It lies on 20°22' north latitude
and 69°05' east longitude. The city is built on
the right bank of Gamut creek.
PAST
Dwarka is an important pilgrimage center. It
is steeped in legends, being associated with the life
of Lord Krishna. In Puranic times, present-day dwarka
was known as Kushasthali or Dwaravati and enjoyed pride
of place as the most important spot on the Saurashtra
coast. It is said that Lord Krishna, after slaying Kansa,
left his abode at Mathura and traveled with the entire
Yadava community to the coast of Saurashtra where he
founded a town and named it Swarnadwarika.
Vajranabh, Lord Krishna’s successor and great
grandson, is believed to have built the present temple
dwarkanath, also called Trilok Sundar. Many Hindus fervently
believe that the temple was erected in one night by
a supernatural agency, under Vajranabh's direction.
Legend has it that when dying, Lord Krishna asked his
devotees to leave Swarnadwarika so that the sea could
engulf it. Until this day, Lord Krishna’s city
lies buried under the sea. Excavations have revealed
that the sea swallowed five settlements, the present-day
dwarka being the sixth in line.
In this region, the original inhabitants are said to
be Kabas, Modas, and Kalas, The Kabas and Modas now
seem to be extinct, but the present-day Vaghers are
said to have descended from the Kabas.
SITES TO VISIT
The temple of Dwarkadheesh, also known
as Jagat Mandir, is built on the north bank of the Gomti
Creek. The temple dates back to 2,500 years. Architecturally
the temple is constructed on the same plan and system
as most of the Hindu sacred edifices of antiquity. Sixty
columns support the roof of the audience hall of the
Jagat Mandir. The main temple is five-story high with
the lavishly carved conical spire rising to a height
of 157 feet.
There is the one-meter tall, fourhanded black idol
of Ranchhodrai, the ruler of Dwarika. Amongst the large
number of temples belonging to different periods in
the history of dwarka, the most popular with pilgrims
is the temple of Rukmini, Lord Krishna’s wife,
who is considered an incarnation of Lakshmi, the goddess
of wealth and beauty.
In addition to its temples and legends, dwarka is also
sanctified as the seat of Adi Shankaracharya, who established
four seats (maths) in four different directions in the
country. Research work in Sanskrit is carried on at
the Shankaracharya’s seat known as Sharad Peetha.
SITES NEARBY
Thirty-two kilometers from dwarka lies
Shankhoddar Island. Also known as Bet dwarka or Dwarika
isle or Ramandip, this island is supposed to be the
place where Lord Krishna and his family lived. Dwarika
isle is also believed to be the spot where Lord Vishnu
slew the demon Sankhasura.
The temple of Ranchhodrai stands on the island, as
does the Matsyavatar Temple. Pilgrims are ferried to
and from the island in boats manned by boatmen who claim
a long lineage. Near the island is the ancient Gopi
Lake and further ahead lies Dwarikavan or forest of
dwarka. In the forest is located the famous Naagnath
(Shiva) Temple. It is recorded in the Purana (ancient
texts) that 12 jyotirlingas or columns of light representing
Lord Shiva manifested themselves in different parts
of the country. The jyotirlinga is enshrined in the
temple of Naageshwar Mahadev and attracts thousands
of pilgrims all through the year.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Janmashtami (birthday of Lord Krishna),
celebrated in the month of August/September, is a major
festival of dwarka.
HOW TO REACH
Dwarka 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, from where flights
for Mumbai can be taken. Luxury coaches are available
from dwarka to other important cities of Gujarat.
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