Dwarka

Dwarka stands at the western end of the Saurashtra peninsula and is one of the Char Dham, the four seats established by Adi Shankara, and one of the seven sacred cities. Tradition holds that Krishna founded a city here that was later taken by the sea, and marine archaeology offshore has recovered structures and anchors that keep the question open. The Dwarkadhish temple, its main shrine, rises five storeys on a tall base with a flag changed several times daily by hereditary right. Bet Dwarka, an island reached by boat, and the Nageshwar jyotirlinga are on the standard pilgrimage circuit.

Background

Part of Devbhumi Dwarka district, the town lies along the Okhamandal Peninsula's western shore, on the Gomti River's right bank, where the Gulf of Kutch opens to the Arabian Sea. Its climate is hot and arid, with a rainy season of just 16 days, and 38,873 people lived here in 2011. Archaeology dates the first Dwarkadhish Temple to 200 BCE at the earliest, and the building was enlarged and rebuilt during the 15th-16th century. Excavation near the temple uncovered a 9th century CE shrine to Vishnu and a settlement of the 1st century BCE. A copper inscription of 574 CE mentions Dwarka. Bet Dwarka is a Late Harappan site, with one thermoluminescence date of 1570 BCE.

Source: Wikipedia, "Dwarka"

What you'll find

• Dwarkadhish temple - a five-storey shrine with its flag changed daily.
• The Gomti ghat - steps to the creek beside the temple.
• Bet Dwarka - an island shrine reached by boat.
• Nageshwar - one of the twelve jyotirlingas, nearby.

When to go

October to March for comfortable weather; Janmashtami in August or September is the great festival. Boats to Bet Dwarka depend on weather and can be suspended.

Practical notes

Temple security is strict, with phones and bags prohibited inside. Boats to Bet Dwarka are heavily overloaded at times. The offshore archaeology is not accessible to visitors.

Nearby

Porbandar lies southeast; Somnath is further along the coast.