Dwaraka – The Gateway To Divinity

Capping the westernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula and established on the banks of the holy River Gomti, the city of Dwaraka is one of the seven most ancient cities of the country. The city was the capital of Lord Krishna’s kingdom, thus rendering much mythological and historical significance to Dwaraka.

Must See Attractions

The stand-out tourist destination of Dwaraka is the Dwarkadeesh temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. We suggest you to visit this temple first thing on your trip and spend a good part of your day engaged in offering your devotion to the Lord. It is one of the oldest temples in India possessing a rich history dating back to nearly 2500 years. The main attraction of this temple is the grandiose 5 storied spire supported by 60 columns bearing intricate carvings. The devotees must take a dip at the Gomti River before entering the temple. The temple is bathed in festive regalia on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami.

Jyotirlinga Temple

The next important pilgrim site you can visit in the evening is the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This shrine is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas as mentioned in the Puranas and attracts thousands of devotees during the festival of Shivarathri. Devotees searching for spiritual solace can find their calling in Gomti Ghat. It is a popular belief that one visit to this place washes off all the earthly sins of the visitors. The other famous religious sites in Dwaraka are the majestic Rukshamanee Temple, Shree Swaminarayan Temple and the Dwaraka Peeth established by Adi Sankara. Another historic landmark worthy of visiting is the splendorous Dwaraka Lighthouse which offers stellar views of sunset in Dwaraka.

Bet Dwaraka

Once you are finished paying respects to all the holy sites of Dwaraka, we recommend you to head straight to Bet Dwaraka for some relaxation. You have to start early on day two and book a taxi to reach the spot. Situated in the Gulf of Kutch about 30km away from Dwaraka city, Bet Dwaraka possesses one of the best beaches in the world. It is also dotted with several temples revered by the Vaishnavas.

Best Time to Visit

Since Dwaraka lies in close proximity to the Gulf of Kutch with zero elevation from the mean sea level, it experiences pleasant moderate climate throughout the year. You can visit Dwaraka during any time of the year. While the months of March to June is ideal for visiting temples, the winter months of October to February is suitable for engaging in sight-seeing and outdoor activities in Dwaraka.

Reaching There

Dwaraka is well-connected by road and is 216km from Ahmedabad. Dwaraka has a railway station which falls along the Ahmedabad-Okha railway line lying 137km away from Jamnagar. The airport nearest to Dwaraka is located in Jamnagar with regular flights shuttling to and from Mumbai.

Staying There

There are several accommodation options available in Dwaraka and most of them are strategically located near the tourist spots. You have options to choose between upper, middle and lower budget class hotels. You can even opt for special guesthouses and dharamshalas located in the city outskirts.

Shopping

To preserve the austere memories of your trip to Dwaraka, you can buy some antique foreign coins sold near the Lighthouse. You can complete a fulfilling tour of Dwaraka in about 2 days with the total cost of the trip amounting to 2650 INR per individual. So pick up your bags and make your journey to Dwaraka- the Gateway to Divinity.

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