Situated in Gujarat, on the Ahmedabad-Okha broad-gauge railway line, about 137 km from Jamnagar, 217 km. from Rajkot and 378 km from Ahmedabad. It is believed that the temple of Dwarakadhish, or Jagat Mandir where the idol of Lord Krishna is installed and is also known as Trilok Sundar, was built by the great grandson of the Lord, Vajranabah. The temple has seen the vicissitudes of time and has weathered many a storm under alien invasions. Destroyed and rebuilt several times, the present structure, historians assert, was constructed in 1730 A. D.

The temple is another poetry in stone of which the country abounds. The shrine is built over an area of 1800 sq. ft. with 60 finely sculpted granite and sandstone pillars supporting its imposing dome. The seven-storey temple tower rises to a height of 170 feet. And the idol of Lord Dwarakadhish, sculpted in black stone, three feet high with four arms, stands on a silver-plated Simhasana. The pilgrims go into the sanctum sanctorum, touch the image of the Lord and offer flowers and thulasi at His feet. There is an image of Ambaji in the upper storey and in a corner of the Sabhamandapa, the image of Balaram is installed.

Dwaraka is one of the seven holy cities - Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Banaras, Kanchi, Ujjain, and Dwaraka are known as Mokshada, that which leads to salvation. Dwaraka is one of the places where Adi Sankaracharya established his ‘math’, known as Sarada Peetha. The name of Dwaraka is sanctified more by the fact that it was here that Mira Bai, the great poetess - Andal of the north - lived and spent her days.

Its sanctity is derived from the fact that this was the capital of Lord Krsna after He left Mathura 5,000 years ago. He resided here with His family members such as Vasudeva, Devaki, Balarama, Subhadra and His 16,108 wives headed by Rukmini and Satyabhama.

Sri Krishna killed Kans (his maternal uncle) and made Ugrasen (his maternal grandfather) the king of Mathura. Enraged, the father-in-law of Kans, Jarasandh (king of Magadh) with his friend Kalayavan attacked Mathura 17 times. For the safety of the people, Krishna and Yadava decided to move the capital from Mathura to Dwarka.

Land was reclaimed from the sea near the western shores of Saurashtra. A city was planned and built here. Dwarka was a planned city, on the banks of river Gomati. This beautiful city was also known as Dwaramati, Dwarawati and Kushsthali. It had well organized six sectors, residential and commercial zones, wide roads, plazas, palaces and many public utilities. A hall called "Sudharma Sabha" was build to hold public meetings. The city also boasted a good harbour.

After Sri Krishna left for the heavenly abode, and the major Yadava heads were killed in fights among themselves; Arjun went to Dwarka to bring Krishna's grandsons and the Yadava wives to Hastinapur. After Arjun left Dwaraka, it was submerged in the sea.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Dwarkadheesh Temple: The temple of Dwarkadheesh, also known as Jagat Mandir, is built on the north bank of the Gomti Creek. The temple dates back to 2,500 years. Architecturally the temple is constructed on the same plan and system as most of the Hindu sacred edifices of antiquity. Sixty columns support the roof of the audience hall of the Jagat Mandir. The main temple is five-story high with the lavishly carved conical spire rising to a height of 157 feet. There is the one-meter tall, four handed black idol of Ranchhodrai, the ruler of Dwarika. Amongst the large number of temples belonging to different periods in the history of Dwarka, the most popular with pilgrims is the temple of Rukmini, Lord Krishna's wife, who is considered an incarnation of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and beauty.

Rukmini Devi Temple: This small temple, 1.5km north of town, is an architectural masterpiece. Rukmini is the most important of Krishna's 16,108 wives. The temple walls are decorated with beautiful paintings depicting her pastimes with Krishna. This temple is said to date back to the 12th century.

Gomati Ghat Temples: Gomati, the descended Ganges, meets the sea at Chakra-tirtha Ghat. To take bath where the Gomati meets the ocean is said to offer liberation. If you go out the back entrance of the Dwarkadish Temple, you can see the Gomati River. The temple is located almost at the spot where the Gomati meets the ocean.