Overview
Dwarka is a temple city on the western coast of India, in the Devbhoomi Dwarka district of the state of Gujarat. Located near the mouth of the Gomti creek where it meets the Arabian Sea, the city is among the most significant pilgrimage centres in Hinduism and is traditionally identified with the legendary kingdom of Krishna. It is part of the Char Dham, the four principal Hindu pilgrimage sites in India, and is also counted among the Sapta Puri, the seven holy cities.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Gujarat |
| District | Devbhoomi Dwarka |
| Region | Saurashtra (Kathiawar peninsula) |
| Coast | Arabian Sea |
| Languages | Gujarati, Hindi |
| Principal temple | Dwarkadhish Temple (Jagat Mandir) |
| Pilgrimage circuits | Char Dham, Sapta Puri |
Geography
Dwarka lies at the western tip of the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat, facing the Arabian Sea. The Gomti creek runs along the eastern side of the old town and is regarded by pilgrims as a sacred bathing site. The coast in this region is generally flat with a mix of sandy and rocky stretches, and the climate is semi-arid with hot summers, mild winters, and a comparatively short southwest monsoon. The town serves as the headquarters of Devbhoomi Dwarka district, which was carved out of the larger Jamnagar district in 2013.
History and legend
In Hindu tradition, Dwarka is described in the Mahabharata, the Harivamsa, and the Bhagavata Purana as the capital established by Krishna after he led the Yadavas from Mathura to the western coast. The texts describe a fortified island city which, according to legend, was eventually submerged in the sea. This association makes Dwarka one of the most important sites in the Vaishnava sacred geography of India.
Marine archaeological investigations off the present coastline, conducted by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) based in Goa, have reported submerged structural remains in the offshore waters near Dwarka and the nearby island of Bet Dwarka. These finds have been the subject of ongoing scholarly discussion regarding the antiquity and identity of the historical settlements at the site.
Through the medieval period, Dwarka remained an active pilgrimage centre. The 8th-century philosopher and religious reformer Adi Shankaracharya is traditionally credited with establishing the Sharada Peeth (also called Dwaraka Pitha) here as one of the four cardinal monastic seats (mathas) of the Advaita Vedanta tradition, the others being at Jyotirmath, Puri, and Sringeri.
Dwarkadhish Temple
The principal shrine of the city is the Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as the Jagat Mandir, dedicated to Krishna in his form as the king of Dwarka. The temple stands on the bank of the Gomti creek and is built largely in limestone with an elaborately sculpted, multi-storeyed shikhara topped by a tall flag (dhwaja) which is changed in a ritual ceremony multiple times each day. The structure is associated with the Chalukya style and has undergone repairs and additions over many centuries.
Other notable sites
- Bet Dwarka — an island a short ferry ride from Okha, traditionally regarded as the residence of Krishna and home to several temples.
- Nageshvara Jyotirlinga — a temple of Shiva in the vicinity, counted among the twelve jyotirlingas.
- Rukmini Devi Temple — dedicated to Rukmini, consort of Krishna, located on the outskirts of the town.
- Gomti Ghat — the bathing ghats along the Gomti creek used by pilgrims.
- Sharada Peeth — the monastic seat (matha) traditionally associated with Adi Shankaracharya.
Transport and connectivity
Dwarka is served by a railway station on the Ahmedabad–Okha line of the Western Railway zone, with regular services connecting it to Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jamnagar, and other