Top 8 Places to Visit Dwarka is located within Gujarat’s westernmost portion. It’s named the ‘golden zone.’ The town has religious and historical significance, since the place is identified as one of the ‘sacred’ cities according to Hindu folklore. The name derives from ‘dwara,’ meaning door and ‘ka,’ meaning Brahma, and thus the city is said to be the spiritual gateway to ‘union with Brahma.’ According to the legends, after the death of Lord Krishna, Dwarka was buried under water, and was subsequently resurrected several years later. Located on the banks of the Gomati River, Dwarka is a popular pilgrimage area, and is also visited by many tourists. Let’s look at the top 7 locations to visit in Dwarka
Legend has it that Dwarka was submerged after the death.
The Dwarkadhish Temple
Dwarkadhish is an architectural masterpiece of calcareous and sand, a temple fit for the ‘King of Dwarka.’ This magnificent temple, backed by 60 columns, a soaring spire with intricate carvings, and beautifully carved gateways, is one of the most sacred religious sites in the world. It is assumed that the Dwarkadhish Temple Five-storey tower was designed by Sambha, Lord Krishna ‘s grandson.
The colourful flag-changing ceremony is a fascinating sight to see in here. At the temple the 52-yard flag is rotated five times a day, three times a morning and twice a night. Let the theatre unfold in a symbolic procession as families support the flag march, accompanied by energetic singing and dancing! Cheering and clapping resound, as the flag is adjusted and flutters happily in the wind.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
One of the 12 major temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is. Situated between Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka Island, the temple is home to one of the world’s 12 Swayambhuor (or self-manifested) Jyotirlingas. The main attractions here are a seated statue of Lord Shiva 25 m tall, and a lovely garden with a pond. The temple is just a 30-minute drive outside the city.
Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple
The Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple, one of the must-visit places in this holy city, will surround you with its serenity. Evening aarti, uninterrupted views of the Arabian Sea, surrounded by stretches of golden sand; the temple is sure to get you so much closer to the divine.
Gomti Ghat
Make your way to the Gomti Ghat for a moment of quiet, after a whirlwind sightseeing ride in Dwarka. People also claim that taking a dip in those holy waters is a must, before visiting the nearby Dwarkadh temple. From here you can see the river Gomti slowly making its way to meet the Arabian Sea, a totally fascinating sight.
Rukmini Temple
One of Dwarka ‘s finest places to visit requires an unmissable audience with its reigning queen. The beautiful Rukmini Temple is located 2 km outside of the town. Dedicated to Lord Krishna ‘s wife Rukmini, the temple is built on a mythological tale of sorrow. Rukmini is said to have invited the sage Durvasa ‘s wrath, who threatened her with a separation from her husband, Krishna. The location of the temple at the outskirts of the town refers to the banishment of Rukmini. Some claim the same curse rendered salty water in the city of Dwarka.
The temple of Rukmini, with its beautiful carvings and panels from the 12th century, is an impressive structure that honours the queen and her undying devotion to Krishna.
Shivrajpur Beach & Lighthouse
Shivrajpur Beach is a serene beach situated near Shivrajpur village on the Arabian coast of Gujarat, at a distance of 13 km from Dwarka and 23 km from Okha. Located on Dwarka-Okha Highway, it is one of Gujarat’s popular beaches, and one of the must-see Dwarka Tourist Places.
Shivrajpur Beach is a lovely beach with clear waters and white sands. The beach offers visitors spectacular sunsets and breathtaking views. The beach is not much commercialised which makes it an perfect place for family and friends to spend some relaxing time with. Dolphins and some beautiful birds can be seen here at sea. The Beach Management has implemented water sports to make this an ideal tourist destination, Guest dining and shopping areas. Be vigilant when wagging into the water as there is no available rescue team.
A lighthouse is by the beach, too. Kachchh Maharao Deshalji ruler built a small fort with an 11 m high unlit black masonry beacon known as Mojap
Beyt Dwarka
Beyt Dwarka is an inhabited island situated off the coast of Dwarka on the Gulf of Kutch, at a distance of 33 km from Dwarka Railway Station. Also known as Beyt Shankhodhar, before the establishment of Okha, it was one of the city’s main ports and is among the popular places to visit in Dwarka.
Bet Dwarka or Beyt Dwarka is a holiest destination for pilgrimages As the original home of Lord Krishna is assumed to be during his ruling years in Dwarka. Lord Krishna, it is said, resided at Bet Dwarka with his kin. The place derived its name from the word ‘beyt’ meaning meeting and this is the place where Sudhama met his friend Lord Krishna. In the ancient epic also Beyt Dwarka is mentioned, ‘Mahabharata’ as ‘Antardvipa’ to which people of the Yadava clan needed to travel by boat. The island is also known as Shankhodhar as the island is source of conch shells.
Sudama Setu
Sudama Setu is a wonderful hanging bridge, constructed on the Gomati River near Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka, Gujarat, at a distance of 3 km from Dwarka Railway Station. As part of the Gujarat Tour Packages, it is one of the popular places to visit at Dwarka.
Called after Sudama, Lord Krishna ‘s childhood friend, Sudama Setu connects Dwarkadhish Mandir of Dwarka with Panchnad, or Panchkui Tirth To the southeast of the island. The bridge boasts a great religious and geological significance as the island has five sweet water wells called Panchkui connected with Mahabharata ‘s five Pandava brothers.
In 2005 the bridge was built to improve tourism on the island. The River Gomti was crossed by boats before the bridge was built. Since Jagat Mandir is a protected site of Archeological Survey of India ( ASI), permission was required to build the bridge. The ground breaking ceremony for the bridge took place in 2011, but due to ASI Delhi construction was delayed