About Dwarka

Country: India | State: Gujarat

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Dwarka: Jamnagar (130 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Dwarka: October to March

Peak Season: November to February

At a distance of 30 km from Okha, 105 km from Porbandar, 130 km from Jamnagar, 208 km from Junagadh, 224 km from Rajkot, 233 km from Somnath, 294 km from Amreli, 344 km from Gandhidham, 388 km from Bhuj, 442 km from Ahmedabad, and 512 km from Vadodara, Dwarka is an ancient city situated on the banks of Gomti River in the northwestern Indian state of Gujarat. Dwarka is one of the most significant Hindu places of pilgrimage in India, and among the must include places in Gujarat tour packages.

Located on the western tip of the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat, Dwarka is popularly known as the 'home of Lord Krishna' and is believed to have been the first capital of Gujarat. Also, Dwarka is one of the foremost Char Dhams for Hindus and among the seven most ancient religious cities (sapta puris) in India. The literal meaning of Dwarka is the 'gateway to heaven' in Sanskrit, as Dwar means gate and ka refers to Lord Brahma. For this reason, the town attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year as part of Dwarka tour packages.

Earlier called Mokshapuri, Kusahasthali, and Dwarkavati, Dwarka has been mentioned in the ancient epic Mahabharata. According to legend, the town is described as the capital of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna killed cruel king Kansa at Mathura. To avenge Kansa's death Jarasandh, the father-in-law of Kansa, attacked Krishna's kingdom 17 times and to avoid further clashes, Lord Krishna shifted his capital from Mathura to Dwarka, a city specifically created by Vishwakarma, the Hindu god of architecture on 12 yojanas (96 sq. km) of land that was blessed by the sea god.

It is believed that the city of Dwarka was submerged by the ocean after the death of Krishna. It is said that the city was rebuilt six times and the present city is the seventh one. There are also some archaeological signs to support the belief that the ancient Dwarka lies buried under the present Dwarka and extended up to Beyt Dwarka in the north, Okhamadhi in the south, and Pindara in the east. The recent underwater study on the coastal water of Dwarka by the ASI reveals the existence of a city dating to the 2nd millennium BC. The search for the lost city was going on since the 1930s. The excavation work carried between 1983 and 1990 revealed that a township was built in six sectors. A fortified wall, extending more than half a mile has also been unearthed.

The present-day Dwarka is a prominent pilgrimage site that boasts of several shrines. Among the temples, the 2000-year-old Dwarkadhish temple is the most notable one and is also the location of Dwarka Peeth, also called Sharada Peeth, one of the four peeths established by Adi Shankaracharya. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Gomti Ghat, Rukmani Devi Temple, Beyt Dwarka, Gopi Talav, Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir, and Swaminarayan Temple are some of the important pilgrimage places to visit in Dwarka. Besides its temples, the city is also popular for its beaches like Dwarka Beach, Shivrajpur Beach, and Okhamadhi Beach. Scuba diving is the most popular activity for those who want to see the underwater remains of Dwarka.

Being a holy town, Dwarka boasts of several accommodation options ranging from dharamshalas to guest houses, mid-range hotels, and luxury hotels. All the hotels are located close to the Dwarkadheesh temple. The dining facilities in the Dwarka are varied in nature. Predominantly vegetarian, the cuisine here is replete with all the goodies of the Gujarati kitchen. The special Gujarati Thali is a must among every tourist.

Jamnagar Airport is the nearest airport which is about 126 km from Dwarka and has direct flights from Mumbai. Dwarka Railway Station is well connected by trains with Okha, Tuticorin, Guwahati, Gorakhpur, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Somnath, Allahabad, Varanasi, Puri, Rameswaram, Jaipur, Bhavnagar, Kochi, Howrah, Nathdwara, and Viramgam. Dwarka has well road connectivity with Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Amreli, Porbandar, Somnath, Gandhidham, Bhuj, Gandhinagar, Baroda, Bhavnagar, Surat, Jamnagar, and Junagadh.

The ideal time to visit Dwarka is from October to March while the peak season is from November to February when the city experiences cold winters. If you specifically want to participate in the grand festivities of the Janmashtami festival, visiting the town during August and September will be eventful. The entire city comes alive during this time and thousands of people travel to Dwarka to visit the temple and participate in the fair. Besides, Holi, Navratri, and Rath Yatra are the other festivals celebrated in Dwarka with great enthusiasm.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 02892
Languages Spoken: Gujarati, Hindi and English
Major Festivals: Janmashtami, Holi, Navratri & Rath Yatra
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Dwarka

By Air

Nearest Airport: Jamnagar - Civil Enclave Jamnagar (126 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Dwarka Railway Station (0 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Dwarka Bus Station (3 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Dwarka

Pilgrimage

#1 of 16 Places to Visit in Dwarka

At a distance of 3 km from Dwarka Railway Station, Dwarkadhish Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated in the holy town of Dwarka, Gujarat. Also known as Jagat Mandir or Trilok Sunder Temple, it is one of the revered temples in Gujarat, and among the must include places in Gujarat tour.

Situated on the banks of the Gomti River, Dwarkadhish Temple or Dwarkadheesh Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is worshiped here as Dwarkadhish or 'King of Dwarka'. According to legend, the temple was originally believed to be built by Vajranabh, the great-grandson of Lord Krishna, more than 2500 years ago on the palace where Lord Krishna lived. However, it was later enlarged in the 15th-19th century. It is also part of the famed Char Dham, the four sacred temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu while the other three are Rameswaram, Badrinath, and Puri. Since it is a Pushtimarg temple, it follows .....

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Pilgrimage

#2 of 16 Places to Visit in Dwarka

At a distance of 15 km from Dwarka, Nageshwar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located at Nageshwar village in Gujarat. Also known as Nagnath Temple, it is one of the popular pilgrimage sites near Ahmedabad, and among the prominent places to visit as part of Dwarka sightseeing packages.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Nageshwar Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva, and among the oldest temples mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The Jyotirlinga has a special significance in Nageshwar as this is believed to be the first of all 12 Jyotirlingas. The swayambhu lingam enshrined in the underground chamber at Nageshwar Temple is known as Nageshwar Mahadev and attracts thousands of pilgrims all-round the year. This powerful Jyotirlinga symbolizes protection from all poisons and is believed that one who prays here obtains freedom from all kinds of poison including .....

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Beach

#3 of 16 Places to Visit in Dwarka

At a distance of 1 km from Dwarkadhish Temple and 4 km from Dwarka Railway Station, Dwarka Beach is a sea beach located in Dwarka, Gujarat. Situated along the Arabian Coast, it is one of the popular beaches in Gujarat, and among the well-known Dwarka tourist places.

Known for its turquoise waters and white sand, this beach is really worth visiting. It is the best place to relax and take a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of city life during Dwarka trip. This beach is situated close to many temples. The Dwarka Beach is neat and clean that provides a serene and calm environment for the tourists and the pilgrims to sit and spend their evenings. Visitors can also see a large number of sea birds at the beach.

The beach also holds a lighthouse and is one of the major tourist attractions in the city .....

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Pilgrimage

#4 of 16 Places to Visit in Dwarka

At a distance of 3 km from Dwarka Railway Station, Gomati Sangam Ghat is a sacred bathing ghat on the banks of River Gomti in Dwarka, Gujarat. Situated behind the Dwarkadhish Temple, it is one among the popular places to visit in Dwarka.

Gomti Ghat is situated at the mouth of Gomti River, a tributary of Holy Ganges, the most sacred river for all Hindus. The river originates in the Himalayan ranges of Nepal, flows down across many Indian states and finally empties into the Arabian Sea here. Gomti Ghat also has a great religious and mythological significance. According to myths River Gomati is the daughter of Sage Vashishta and her waters are powerful enough to purge one's mortal sins. Thus pilgrims make it a point to bathe in River Gomti and they usually take their holy dip into the Gomati Kund, the point of confluence of River Gomti and Arabian Sea.

There are over 12 ghats surrounding the Gomati River, which are venues of Samudra Narayana Temple, Gomatiji Temple, the Panchanada .....

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Beach

#5 of 16 Places to Visit in Dwarka

At a distance of 13 km from Dwarka and 23 km from Okha, Shivrajpur Beach is a serene beach located near Shivrajpur village on the Arabian coast of Gujarat. Situated on Dwarka - Okha Highway, it is one of the famous beaches near Ahmedabad, and among the must-visit places as part of Dwarka holiday packages.

Shivrajpur Beach is a beautiful beach with clear waters and white sands. The beach offers stunning sunsets and picturesque views to tourists. Regarded as one of the best places of sightseeing in Dwarka, the beach is not much commercialized which makes it an ideal place to spend some peaceful time with family and friends. One can spot Dolphins and some beautiful birds on the sea here. For making it an ideal tourist destination, the beach management has introduced water sports, food, and shopping areas .....

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Beach | Pilgrimage

#6 of 16 Places to Visit in Dwarka

At a distance of 33 km from Dwarka Railway Station, Beyt Dwarka is an inhabited island located off the coast of Dwarka on Gulf of Kutch. Also known as Beyt Shankhodhar, it was one of the main ports of the town before the development of Okha and is among the popular places to visit in Dwarka.

Bet Dwarka or Beyt Dwarka is an extremely sacred pilgrimage destination as it is believed to be the original home of Lord Krishna during his ruling years at Dwarka. It is said that lord Krishna resided with his family at Bet Dwarka. The place derived its name from the word 'beyt' which means meeting and this is the place where Sudhama came to meet his friend Lord Krishna. Beyt Dwarka is also mentioned in the ancient epic, '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.

The ASI explorations revealed that the presence of certain settlements whose age can be traced back .....

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Pilgrimage

#7 of 16 Places to Visit in Dwarka

At a distance of 3 km from Dwarka Railway Station, Samudra Narayan Temple is a Hindu temple situated at Gomti Sangam Ghat in the holy town of Dwarka. Located behind the Dwarkadhish Temple, it is one of the must visit temples in Dwarka as part of Dwarka Packages.

Situated at the confluence of River Gomti and the Arabian Sea, the Samudra Narayan Temple is dedicated to Goddess Gomti. According to the legend, River Gomti has been brought from heaven by Rishi Vasishtha to sanctify Rama after his battle with Ravana. After purification of Rama, Goddess Gomti manifested here on the ghat and got submerged into the Arabian Sea. Along with Goddess Gomti, the temple enshrines beautiful idols of Lord Varuna, Samudra Deva, Mira Bai and Mother Asta Bhavani. There is a sacred kund or tank in the temple, where several ceremonial sacrifices performed.

This temple is surrounded by Panchanada Tirtha, which comprises 5 wells that have sweet water. A meditation cave known as Manoratha Dwar is situated .....

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Pilgrimage

#8 of 16 Places to Visit in Dwarka

At a distance of 2 km from Dwarkadhish Temple and 4 km from Dwarka Railway Station, Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple is an ancient Shiva temple in Dwarka, Gujarat. It is one of the most enchanting Shiva temples in Dwarka and among the major tourist places in Dwarka.

Built on a small hillock on the Arabian Sea, the Bhadkeshwar Temple is dedicated to Chandra-Mouliswar Shiva. This temple enshrines a Shivalinga in the sanctum which was found at the confluence of Gomati, Ganga and Arabian Sea by the Jagatguru Sankaracharya himself. This revered temple is situated near Geeta Mandir and Rukmini Temple. In addition, there are 1200 Salgramshilas, 1300 Shiva Lingas, metal forms of 75 Sankaracharyas in the temple premises.

There is a unique legend associated with the temple. It mentions the abhisheka of the Shivalinga done by the sea itself. Each year in June/July, there comes a day when the Arabian Sea slowly rises and enters the temple. For a shorter period of time, the whole temple submerges .....

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Nature

#9 of 16 Places to Visit in Dwarka

At a distance of 3 km from Dwarka Railway Station, Sudama Setu is a wonderful hanging bridge built on Gomati River near Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka, Gujarat. It is one of the popular places to visit in Dwarka as part of Gujarat Tour Packages.

Named after Sudama, the childhood friend of Lord Krishna, Sudama Setu connects Dwarkadhish Mandir of mainland Dwarka and Panchnad or Panchkui Tirth on the island in southeast of it. The bridge boasts of a great religious as well archaeological significance as the island has five sweet water wells called Panchkui associated with five Pandava brothers of Mahabharata.

The bridge was proposed in 2005 to boost tourism on the island. Gomti River was crossed by boats until construction of the bridge. As Jagat Mandir is an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected site, permission was needed for construction of the bridge. The ground breaking ceremony for the bridge was held in 2011 but the construction was delayed due to ASI Delhi not .....

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Pilgrimage

#10 of 16 Places to Visit in Dwarka

At a distance of 5 km from Dwarka Railway Station, Rukmini Devi Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated in Dwarka town of Gujarat. Located on Dwarka - Okha Highway, it is one of the important places to visit in Dwarka.

The Rukmini Devi Temple is dedicated to the beloved wife of Lord Krishna, Devi Rukmini, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. The temple is said to be more than 2500 years old, but its domed mandapa and stepped sanctuary belongs to 12th century. The sanctum of the temple has a beautiful marble idol of Devi Rukmani, with four hands holding Shanka, Chakra, Gada and Padma. This shrine is an architectural masterpiece in itself. The rich paintings on the walls depicting Rukmini and Krishna leave the visitors spell bound.

Rukmini Devi Temple is situated 3 km away from the main Dwarkadhish Temple on the banks of Bhagirathi River. According to the legend, once Lord Krishna and his wife Rukmini went to the sage Durvasa to invite him for dinner at Dwarka. He agreed .....

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Top 5 Dwarka Packages