Dwarka- the city of Lord Krishna is one of the ancient cities of India.
The sacred city of Dwarka is along the banks of River Gomati in Gujarat. The history of this city is related to the life of Lord Krishna and ancient India. This mystic city is a place that attracts a lot of pilgrims and other visitors from around the country and abroad.
Dwarka is one of the Char Dhamas of the Hindu faith and is also considered sacred by Buddhism and Jainism. Before planning a visit to Dwarka city, let us look into the number of facts that emerged in this city.
Dwarka was build in Dwapara Yuga- As mentioned in various historical scriptures and books, Lord Krishna built the city of Dwarka approximately 5000 years ago. It is one of the oldest civilisations known to us. The kingdom of Dwarka had millions of palatial gold and silver structures initially, but it was submerged six times into the ocean. The city that stands today is only a portion of the massive ancient town. However, the ruins of Dwarka can be seen underwater, along the coast of Gujarat. It serves as a tourist attraction.
Lord Krishna used to reside in Shankhodhar- The Byet Dwarka Island or Shankhodhar is situated 3 km away from the coast of Okha. Vallabhacharya set up the temple years ago. It is believed by many that the temple stands over the residence of Krishna. There is a lighthouse on the island that provides a panoramic view of the city.
Dwarkadhish Temple is home to the Black marbled idol of Lord Krishna- Constructed by Vajranabha in the 15th century, the temple is designed as per Chaulkya style using high-quality limestone. It is also known as Jagat Mandir. Dwarkadhish temple has two entrances- Moksha Dwara and Swarga Dwara in the northern and southern region of the temple, respectively.
About 2 km away from Dwarkadhish resides Rukmani Devi (wife of Lord Krishna). Rukmani temple is solely devoted to Devi Rukmani, as she was cursed to get separated from Krishna by Rishi Durvasha.
The Dwarkadhish temple has a museum that displays sculptures and idols, which supports the facts written about the history of India.
Dwarka celebrates Janmashtami with great enthusiasm and zeal. There is a celebration throughout the city. People come together to participate in different cultural events, prayers, and other activities. Janmashtami is a grand celebration in the City of Dwarka and a visit during this time of the year is a must.
Dwarka is not only about temples and old architectures. Its exotic marine life is a cherry on top. Along with beaches and water sports, scuba diving is also a treat for travellers. It is the first time in the world that a submerged city is a tourist spot.
