Dwarka: Explore The Holy City In Gujarat!

Dwarka is an ancient and well-known city located on the banks of the river Gomati. Further, it is a holy city and a pilgrimage center for the Hindus. Dwarka is located on the western coast of Gujarat and is known for its temples, rich culture, and heritage. The city of Dwarka has rich stories about the childhood of Lord Krishna.

Moreover, Dwarka was the ancient kingdom of Krishna and is connected to Mahabharata. Lord Krishna was called Dwarkadeesh and the Dwarkadish temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Each year during Janmashtami devotees from various places arrive and participate in various activities to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. Thus, this place has various tourist attractions including the Beach, Lighthouse, temple, heritage, and rich culture.  

Best Places To Visit In Dwarka

Dwarka Beach

Dwarka beach is a popular location among tourists and is located along the Arabian sea coast. It is a location that refreshes people from the day’s stress and provides a peaceful atmosphere along with the beauty of nature. Further, Dwarka lies along the Arabian sea shore of Gujarat and brings along the elements of fun and nature’s beauty.

The beach has rich fauna that includes Dolphins, sea turtles, octopuses, starfish, and more. Moreover, there are many temples within the vicinity of Dwarka beach including Dwarkadhish temple and the Gopal Krishna temple. In addition, the golden sand and clean water of the beach make it a truly rejuvenating place for tourists.

Shree Dwarkadhish Temple

The Dwarkadhish temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is worshipped as Dwarkadhish. It is located in the Dwarka city of Gujarat and is a pilgrimage center. The archaeology points out that this temple was built around 200 BC and was enlarged in the 16th century. Further, the main shine of Dwarkadhish temple is a five-storied structure that is supported by around 72 pillars and is known as the Jagat or Nija Mandir.

It stands on the confluence point of Gomti and the Arabian sea. This temple is built in the Chalukya style of architecture. In addition, there are two gateways for the temple swarga dwar and the moksha dwar where the devotees can enter and exit.   

Dwarka Lighthouse

Dwarka lighthouse is located on the shores of the Arabian sea and provides a calm ambiance for visitors to spend their time. It is a 43-meter structure which is on Dwarka beach. To watch the sunset this place is an ideal point. Further, it was constructed in 1866 and initially operated on oil lamps but was replaced by modern lighting in 1962.

The reach of Dwarka lighthouse is about 16 km and is placed at 107 meters above sea level. Focusing on the facilities, it runs on renewable sources of energy and has staff quarters and inspection quarters. For tourists, the place is ideal to watch the sunset and enjoy the scenic views along with the tides of water.  

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir is a renowned Hindu temple that is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan.  This is a shrine of Lord Vishnu with intricate architecture that has sculptures and embossed wall works. Further, the shrine is maintained with marble floors alongside the wall carvings. This temple is located on the Gomti road and within close reach of Dwarkadhish temple. Dwarka is a holy place and is a popular center for pilgrimage. Various temples all over the city make it a religious hub.

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir offers has a peaceful ambiance for meditation and rejuvenation in the atmosphere of the temple. The presence of a divine ambiance that is created with the chanting of religious hymns is an experience that unwinds oneself from negative thoughts. There are numerous devotes that visit the temple to get blessings from the deity.

Rukmini Devi Temple

The Rukmini Devi temple is positioned in the Dwarka town of Gujarat, just 5km away from the Dwarka railway station. It is dedicated to Devi Rukmini the wife of Lord Krishna and is on the banks of the Bhagirathi river. The sanctum of the temple has a marble idol of Devi Rukmini and is an architectural masterpiece.

Further, there are rich paintings on the walls that represent Krishna and Rukmini that catch the Tourist’s attention. It is estimated that the temple is around 2500 years old and belongs to the 12th century. This is an important tourist destination that showcases the magnificent architecture, paintings, and tales of Lord Krishna.    

Dwarka Beyt

Dwarka Beyt has been situated around 30 km from the town of Dwarka. It was the main port before the development of Okha and a popular place. Further, it is also called Beyt island and is surrounded by temples, white sand beaches, and coral reefs. For tourists, there are attractions such as dolphin spotting, marine excursions, beach camping, and more.

The place also has religious and mythological significance and is believed to be the home of Lord Krishna. It is also anticipated to be the meeting place of Sudhama and Lord Krishna. Moreover, Dwarka Beyt is also regarded as a place where Lord Krishna set up a new kingdom for Yadavas. People visiting this place can also involve in activities such as meditation, kite flying, and bird watching to make it a memorable visit.

Shri Nageshwar Mahadev Temple

Shri Nageshwar Mahadev temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines and finds its place in the Shiva Purana. It is located in the Nageshwar village of Gujarat about 15 km from Dwarka. The main deity of Lord Shiva is 80 feet high and is a giant artistic statue.

On the occasion of Shivarathri, this temple is crowded, and devotes pour in from various parts of the country. The Jyotirlinga represents one of the fascinating aspects of Hinduism. Tourists visiting this temple have the opportunity to witness the giant statue of Lord shiva which is a mesmerizing experience.  

Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple

The Bhadkeshwar Mahadev temple is an ancient shiva temple located at a distance of just 4 km from the Dwarka railway station.  It is built on a small hillock and is dedicated to Chandra Mouliswar Shiva. Further, this temple is between Geeta Mandir and Rukmini temple. This temple has a unique distinction as the abhisheka of the Shivalinga is done by the sea.

During the Monsoon season of June or July, the Arabian sea rises and enters the temple until the entire temple is submerged in water. As the abhisheka of the Shivalinga is complete it withdraws and returns back to normal.  Moreover, the temple offers a magnificent view of the coastline of Dwarka. The temple is known for its divine vibe, scenic beauty, and rush of devotees on the day of Maha Shivarathri.

Sudama Setu

The Sudama Setu is a magnificent hanging bridge built on the Gomati River in the Dwarka district of Gujarat. It is named after Sudama the friend of Lord Krishna. The bridge represents religious as well as archaeological significance as it is associated with the Pandava brothers of Mahabharata.  Further, the bridge connects Jagat temple and the Panchkui Teerth and also offers nature’s scenic view of the river and the Arabian sea.

Gomti Ghat

Gomti Ghat is a splendid place as the river Gomti with its holy waters flows into the Gulf of Kutch. The origination point of river Gomti is in Nepal and flows across the Indian states. Gomati Ghat is also referred to as the Gomati Sangam as it flows into the Arabian sea at the Chakratirtha Ghat.

Further, the river Gomati is represented as the sacred river that descends from heaven. As such pilgrims can take a holy dip to clear off their bad karma. In addition, the Gomti Ghat has been a famous place for Hindu pilgrims for about 100 years and can be visited in the evening hours to view the divine aarti offered to the deities.     

Best time to visit Dwarka

Dwarka is best to be visited during the winter season. It is during the months of November to February that the city has a cool and charming ambiance. For adventure lovers and scenic views, this season is most suited. However, for those who want to be part of the Janmashtami festival, the ideal time is from August to September. There is a lot of spirituality and excitement during this festival time of the year as it marks the birth date of Lord Krishna.   

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How to reach Dwarka

By Road: Dwarka has a well-connected road network and there are scheduled bus services operating in this sector. Both private and public transport is available. This is also the most convenient and cheapest mode of travel.

By Train: There is connectivity from almost all major cities to Dwarka. Further, Dwarka railway station has regular trains from Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Mumbai, Goa, Jamnagar, and more. 

By Air:  The nearest Airport is Jamnagar at a distance of around 137 km and takes about three hours to reach. This is suitable for Tourists arriving from far away locations. 

Conclusion 

Dwarka is located in Gujarat and is known for its historical and religious sites. It is a sacred pilgrimage town where devotees arrive from almost all parts of the world. Further, Dwarka is believed to be Lord Krishna’s kingdom and the only city with four principal holy places and seven sacred cities. The Janmashtami celebrations are held each year and mark the birth of Lord Krishna. For tourists, there are other attractions such as Lighthouse, Beach, hanging bridge, and other heritage places. 

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