Dwarka is one of the four most holy Hindu pilgrimage sites in India
and isclosely related tothe life of Lord Krishna. It is said to
have been the capital of his empire. It boasts of architectural
relics that have been the focus of historians as well as saints
who aim to unravel its antiquity.
History
Steeped in Hindu mythology, Dwarka was known as Kushasthali or
Dwaravati and prided itself as the most important spot on the
Saurashtra coast. It is said that Krishna, after slaying Kansa
fled Mathura and and traveled with the entire Yadava community
and founded a town called Swarnadwarika.
Vajranabh, Krishna's successor and great grandson, is believed
to have built the present Dwarkadhish Temple. It is believed that
a dying Krishna asked his devotees to leave Swarnadwarika so that
the sea could engulf it and to this day, the city lies below the
sea. Excavations have revealed that the sea swallowed five settlements
with Dwarka being the sixth.
Places to visit
The main attraction here is the Dwarkadhish
Temple, also known as Jagat Mandir dating back 2,500 years.
The main structure is five-storeys high with a lavishly carved
conical spire rising to a height of 157 ft. There are 60 columns
supporting the roof of the audience hall of the Temple.
Equally attractive is the ornate Rukmini Temple.
Dedicated to Krishna's wife Rukmini, who is laso considered to
be a reincarnation of Goddess Lakshmi (wealth), the Temple is
decorated with carvings and idols.
Festivals
Janamashtmi: The birth anniversary of Krishna is celebrated in
August. Devotional songs fill the air and carry on till midnight
till when Krishna was born.
Time to visit
The best time to visit Dwarka is between October and March.
How to reach
By Air
Jamnagar, 145 kms away, is the nearest airport.
By Train
Dwarka is a station on the Ahmedabad-Okha broad gauge railway
line connected to Jamnagar, Rajkot (217 kms) and Ahmedabad (378
kms).
By Road
There is regular bus service from Jamnagar, Rajkot and other nearby
towns connected to Dwarka.
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