Dwarka

Famous for:
Holy place of Pilgrimage for Hindus.


Video: Dwarka temples


Background:
Situated in the extreme west of the Indian state of Gujarat in the Saurashtra peninsula on the Arabian Sea, Dwarka is an important pilgrimage center for the Hindus, and is associated with the life of Lord Krishna.


Video: Dwarka

It was known as Kushasthali or Dwaravati in the Puranic times. It is believed that after slaying Kansa, Lord Krishna with his Yadava community, left his abode at Mathura and traveled to a town and named it as Swarnadwarika.
Dwarkanath, also known as Trilok Sundar, was built by Vajranabh (Successor and grandson of Lord Krishna) and it is believed that the town was erected in one night.
In this region, the original inhabitants are said to be Kabas, Modas, and Kalas, The Kabas and Modas now seem to be extinct, but the present-day Vaghers are said to have descended from the Kabas.
Dwarka is also known as the seat of Adi Shankaracharya, who has established four seats (maths) in four different directions in the country.
Sharad Peetha in Dwarka is the place where research work in Sanskrit was carried.

What to see:
Jagat Mandir
Location: North bank of Gomti Creek.
Rukmini Temple
Location: 1.5 km to the North of town.

Sites Nearby:
Shankhoddar Island
Location: 32 km from Dwarka

Reaching there:
Air: Jamnagar Airport (150 km) is the nearest airport which is linked to Mumbai, Bhuj and other cities of India by Indian Airlines.
Rail: Dwarka Stn is on the Ahmedabad - Okha broad-gauge railway line. It is connected with Mumbai and other cities of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The frequency of trains however are not very good.
Road: NH 8B (Bamanbore - Rajkot - Porbandar) is the nearest highway to Dwarka.
Dwarka is well connected with a good network of roads to Porbandar and nearby towns. Both private and government buses service the region. Luxury coaches are available to and fro with different cities of Gujarat.

Courtesy : Indiatourist
Copyright © 2004-2008 Data Online. All rights reserved.