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| || The Past || Don't Miss || Festivals || When to Go || Getting There || |
| Dwarka, an important city of Hindu pilgrimage, was the kingdom of Lord Krishna. He is believed to have settled in Dwarka after leaving Mathura, thousands of years ago. The site is undoubtedly ancient but its association with Lord Krishna gives it a sanctity which draws millions of pilgrims every year making it one of the most vistited Hindu pilgrimage sites. The city of Dwarka boasts of archeological remains, which provide a glimpse into the city’s history, and has been the focus of studies by historians who seek to unravel the relics of the past. |
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In ancient 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's said that Lord Krishna, after slaying the evil 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. On the eve of the great battle of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna embarked from Dwarka to the site of
the battle, to instruct Arjuna, the Pandava, and these instructions form the text of the Bhagavad Gita. Famous for his divine compassion,
Krishna was devoted to those whom he loved. When Sudama, the humble friend of his childhood, visited him hesitantly at Dwarka,
Lord Krishna and his queen, the beautiful Rukmini, received him like a royal prince. There are many other legends
connected with this famous pilgrimage site. |
It is said that when the Lord finally abandoned his body, the city of Dwarka slipped into the sea and its waves closed over it forever. | ||
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Dwarka
is famous for the Dwarkadhish Temple, (also known as Jagat Mandir). It is supposed to have been constructed
over 1400 years ago, although many claim that it is even older. It houses the image of Lord Krishna and is the inspiration which
draws pilgrims from all over India and abroad. Magnificently built on traditional lines, the temple has five floors and is
profusely carved from base to pinnacle. The festival of Lord Krishna's birth is celebrated there every year in the auspicious
month of Shravan with great splendour and amidst great rejoicing. Navratri and other festivals celebrated in Dwarka |
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during the year recall special events in the Lord's life. It is during
these festivals, redolent as they are with mystic fervor and joy, that the true significance of Dwarka can be understood.
The Rukmini Devi Temple is another architectural masterpiece of this famous Hindu Pilgrimage site. Rukmini is the most important of Krishna's 16,108 wives. Dating back to the 12th century, the temple walls are decorated with beautiful paintings portraying her pastimes with Krishna. The Sharada Peetha is one of the four Mathas established by Jagat-guru Shankaracharya, all of which survive to this day. The Matha runs an educational society, an arts college and a Sanskrit Academy. Also known as Bet Shankhoddar, Bet Dwarka is said to be the place where Lord Krishna lived with his family when he ruled at Dwarka. It is also the place where Vishnu slew the demon Shankhasura. Visitors make it a point to visit the Krishna temple in Dwarka which holds much of interest to be seen and experienced. The Puranas mention 12 Jyotirlingas or columns of light representing Lord Shiva, who manifested himself in
that form in different parts of India. The Nageshwar Mahadev shiva shrine near Dwarka is one of these and
is therefore accorded great respect. | ||
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Janmashtami,
the birthday of Lord Krishna, is celebrated with great splendour in Dwarka. Lord Vishnu is invoked in his human incarnation as Krishna on
his birth anniversary in the festival of Janmashtami. The idol of the infant Krishna is bathed at midnight and is placed in
a cradle. Rows of lights are lit everywhere in Dwarka, kirtans and bhajans are sung, sermons are delivered and Krishna is worshipped in
his infant from. Thousands of people visit this pilgrimage site every year to see the temple and participate in the fair.
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The best time to go for a pilgrimage tour to Dwarka is from October to March. |
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Jamnagar, 145 kilometres away, is the nearest airport to Dwarka. |
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Dwarka is a station on the Ahmedabad-Okha broad gauge railway line
connected to Jamnagar, Rajkot (217 kms) and Ahmedabad (378 kms). | |
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State Transport buses, private buses and taxis and conducted tours
run to Dwarka from Jamnagar, Rajkot and other nearby towns. |
