Dwarka

{{Main|Dvārakā}}

File:Dwarkadish-temple-gujarat.jpg (or Dwarkadhish Temple), view from entrance of the town.]]

File:Dwarka.jpg's Dwarka, made during Akbar's reign, from the Smithsonian Institution.]]

Dwarka is considered as the first capital of Gujarat.{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}} The name literally means gateway.{{Sfn|Sridharan|2000|p=7}} Dwarka has also been referred to throughout its history as "Mokshapuri", "Dwarkamati", and "Dwarkavati".{{Cite web |title=Dwarka Nagari -Introduction & Importance |url=http://www.dwarkadhish.org/Introduction-Importance.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623190150/http://www.dwarkadhish.org/Introduction-Importance.aspx |archive-date=23 June 2012 |access-date=27 November 2013 |publisher=Dwarkadish organization}} It is mentioned in the ancient epic period of the Mahabharata.{{Sfn|Sridharan|2000|p=7}} According to legend, Krishna settled here after he defeated and killed his uncle Kamsa at Mathura.{{cite book|title=Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QmxEAQAAMAAJ|year=1910|publisher=The Branch}} This mythological account of Krishna's migration to Dwarka from Mathura is closely associated with the culture of Gujarat.{{sfn|Yagnik|Sheth|2005|p=3}} Krishna is also said to have reclaimed 12 yojanas or {{Convert|96|km2}} of land from the sea to create Dwarka.{{cite journal |last1=Gaur |first1=A. S. |last2=Tripati |first2=Sundaresh |last3=Tripati |first3=Sila |title=An ancient harbour at Dwarka: Study based on the recent underwater explorations |journal=Current Science |date=2004 |volume=86 |issue=9 |pages=1256–1260 |jstor=24109935 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24109935 |issn=0011-3891}}

Archaeological findings suggest the original temple Dwarkadhish Temple dedicated to Krishna was built in 200 BCE at the earliest.{{cite book|author=S. R. Rao|title=Marine Archaeology of Indian Ocean Countries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bgYIAQAAIAAJ|date=1988|publisher=National Institute of Oceanography|isbn=8190007408|pages=18–25|quote=The Kharoshti inscription in the first floor of Sabhamandapa of Dwarkadhish Temple is assignable to 200 BC. [...] Excavation was done by the veteran archaeologist H.D. Sankalia some twenty years ago on the western side of the present Jagat-Man- dir at Modern Dwarka and he declared that the present Dwarka was not earlier than about 200 BC.}}{{cite book|author=L. P. Vidyarthi|title=Journal of Social Research,Volume 17|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JuUKAAAAIAAJ|date=1974|publisher=Council of Social and Cultural Research|page=60|quote=Inscription in brahmi found in the temple supports the fact of its construction during the Mauryan regime. Apart from this beginning, the pages of history of Dwarka and Dwarkadhish temple are full of accounts of its destruction and reconstruction in the last 2000 years.}}{{cite book|author=Alok Tripathi|title=Remote Sensing And Archaeology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NCBmAAAAMAAJ|date=2005|publisher=Sundeep Prakashan|isbn=8175741554|page=79|quote=In 1963 H.D. Sankalia carried out an archaeological excavation.. at Dwarkadheesh temple at Dwarka to solve the problem. Archaeological evidences found in this excavation were only 2000 years old}} The temple was rebuilt and enlarged in the 15th–16th century.1988, P. N. Chopra, Encyclopaedia of India, Volume 1, p. 114.{{cite book|last=Rao|first=Shikaripur Ranganath|title=The lost city of Dvārakā|date=1999|publisher=Aditya Prakashan|isbn=978-8186471487}} The temple is also the location of Dwaraka maţha, also called Sharada Matha/Peeth and "western peeth",{{sfn|nn|1964|p=12}}{{refn|group=note|name="Saradha"}} one of the four peeths (Sanskrit: "religious center") established by Adi Shankaracharya. As an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus, Dwarka has several notable temples, including Rukmini Devi Temple, Gomti Ghat, and Bet Dwarka. There is also a lighthouse at the land end point of Dwarka.

Archaeological investigations at Dwarka, both on shore and offshore in the Arabian Sea, have been performed by the Archaeological Survey of India. The first investigations carried out on land in 1963 revealed many artefacts.{{Cite web|last= Subramanian|first= T.S.|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/23/stories/2007022301242200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224105526/http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/23/stories/2007022301242200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 February 2007|title=Significant finds at Dwaraka|date= 23 February 2007|newspaper= The Hindu|access-date=14 April 2015}} Excavations done at two sites on the seaward side of Dwarka brought to light submerged settlements, a large stone-built jetty, and triangular stone anchors with three holes. The settlements are in the form of exterior and interior walls, and fort bastions. From the typological classification of the anchors it is inferred that Dwarka had flourished as a port during the period of the Middle kingdoms of India. Coastal erosion was probably the cause of the destruction of what was an ancient port. Another excavation near Dwarkadhish temple took place which have yielded a shrine dedicated to Vishnu from 9th century CE, furthermore excavation were conducted which yielded a settlement from 1st century BCE another excavation was conducted in the site for the antiquity of the town, have yielded a settlement probably contemporary to Mahabharata dated around 2nd millennium BCE.{{R|Under}}

Dwarka is mentioned in the copper inscription dated 574 CE of Simhaditya, the Maitraka dynasty minister of Vallabhi. He was the son of Varahdas, the king of Dwarka. The nearby Bet Dwarka island is a religious pilgrimage site and an important archaeological site of the Late Harappan period, with one thermoluminescence date of 1570 BCE.{{sfn|Singh|2008|p=222}}{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.533668|title=Excavations At Dwarka: 1963|last=Ansari|first=Z. d|date=1964}}

An epigraphic reference ascribed to Garulaka Simhaditya, the son of Varahdas, the king of Dwarka, is inscribed on a copper plate dated to 574 CE, found in Palitana. The Greek writer of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea referred to a place called Baraca, which has been interpreted as present-day Dwarka. A reference made in Ptolemy's Geography identified Barake as an island in the Gulf of Kanthils, which has also been inferred to mean Dwarka.

One of the four dhams (religious seats), which were founded by Adi Shankaracharya (686–717 CE) at the four corners of the country, was established as a monastic centre and it forms part of the Dwarka temple complex.{{sfn|Brockman|2011|p=94}}{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}}

File:Dwarka1.jpg

In 1473 the Gujarat Sultan Mahmud Begada sacked the town and destroyed the temple of Dwarka.{{sfn|Sen|2013|p=115}}{{sfn|Yagnik|Sheth|2005|p=50}} The Jagat Mandir or the Dwarakadhisa temple was later rebuilt.{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/174909/Dwarka|title=Dwarka|access-date=19 April 2015|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica}} Vallabha Acharya retrieved an idol of Dwarkadhish, which was revered by Rukmini. He hid it in a stepwell, known as Savitri vav, during the Muslim invasion, before moving it to Ladva village. In 1551, when Turk Aziz invaded Dwarka, the idol was shifted to the island of Bet Dwarka.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

File:Dwarka (1909) (20161999144).jpg

Dwarka, along with the Okhamandal region, was under the rule of Gaekwad of Baroda state during the Indian rebellion of 1857. A war broke out at Okhamandal in 1858 between the local Vaghers and the British. The Vaghers had won the battle and ruled until September 1859. Later, after a joint offensive of the British, the Gaekwads, and other princely state troops, the Vaghers were ousted in 1859. During these operations, led by Colonel Donovan, the temples at Dwarka and Bet Dwarka suffered damage and were looted. A complaint of atrocities by the British was made by the local people of Jamnagar, Porbander, and Kutch, which led to their restoration.{{Sfn|Dharaiya|1970|p=120}}{{cite web| title=Gujarat During The Great Revolt: The Rebellion In Okhmandal| date=7 October 2007| url=http://archives.peoplesdemocracy.in/2007/1007/10072007_1857.htm| access-date=19 April 2015| publisher=People's Democracy| volume=XXXI| issue=40| archive-date=16 January 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116021507/http://archives.peoplesdemocracy.in/2007/1007/10072007_1857.htm| url-status=dead}}{{sfn|Yagnik|Sheth|2005|pp=94–95}} In 1861, Dwarakadheesh Temple was renovated by Maharaja Khanderao and the British, who refurbished the shikara.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} Maharaja Gaikwad of Baroda added a golden pinnacle to the shikara in 1958 during a refurbishment by Shankaracharya of Dwarka. Since 1960, the temple has been maintained by the Government of India.{{Cite journal|last=Sheikh|first=Samira|date=1 May 2017|title=Ruling Dvārakā: Kṛṣṇa's Capital in Later Times (ca. 1450–1950)|url=https://academic.oup.com/jhs/article/10/1/112/3797244/Ruling-Dvaraka-K-a-s-Capital-in-Later-Times-ca|journal=The Journal of Hindu Studies|volume=10|issue=1|pages=112–130|doi=10.1093/jhs/hix004|issn=1756-4255|url-access=subscription}}

The Sudama Setu, a bridge over the Gomti River connecting mainland Dwarka with Panchkui island was opened in 2016.{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/sudama-setu-connecting-dwarka-with-panchnad-likely-to-be-completed-befor-janmashtami-festival/|title= Sudama setu' connecting Dwarka with Panchnad likely to be completed before Janmashtami festival|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=20 June 2015|access-date=12 September 2015}}

File:Sudhama setu.jpg]]

File:Dwarka beach when the sea and sun sets.jpg

Dwarka, at the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch, on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula, is on the right bank of the Gomti River which rises from the Bhavda village at a place known as Mul-Gomti, {{Convert|10|km}} to the east. It is now under the newly formed district of Devbhoomi Dwarka at the western end of the Saurashtra (Kathiawar) peninsula, facing the Arabian Sea.{{Cite web|last1= Gaur |first1= A.S.|last2= Tripati |first2= Sila |url=http://drs.nio.org/drs/bitstream/2264/507/1/Migration_Diffusion_6_56.pdf|title= Ancient Dwarka: Study Based On Recent Underwater Archaeological Investigation|access-date=11 April 2015|publisher=National Institute of Oceanography|pages=56–58}} The Gomti River was a harbour until the 19th century.

According to the Köppen-Geiger classification, Dwarka has the hot semi-arid climate (BSh) typical of Gujarat, bordering upon a hot arid climate (BWh). The Holdridge life zones system of bio-climatic classification identifies Dwarka in or near the subtropical thorn woodland biome.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dwarka.climatemps.com/|title= Dwarka Climate & Temperature|access-date=9 April 2015|publisher= Dwarka.climatemps.com}} The “average” annual rainfall is {{Convert|490|mm|inch|1|disp=or}} spread over a rainy period of 16 days limited to the months of June to September. However, the variability is among the highest in the world with coefficient of variation of around sixty per cent{{cite journal|last=Van Etten|first=Eddie J.B.|title=Inter-annual Rainfall Variability of Arid Australia: greater than elsewhere?|journal=Australian Geographer|volume=40|year=2009|issue=1 |pages=109–120|doi=10.1080/00049180802657075 |bibcode=2009AuGeo..40..109V }} – among the few comparably variable climates in the world being the Line Islands of Kiribati, the Pilbara coast of Western Australia, the sertão of Northeastern Brazil, and the Cape Verde islands.{{cite journal|last1=Dewar|first1=Robert E.|last2=Wallis|first2=James R|title=Geographical patterning of interannual rainfall variability in the tropics and near tropics: An L-moments approach|journal=Journal of Climate|date=1999 |volume=12|issue=12 |pages=3457–3466|doi=10.1175/1520-0442(1999)012<3457:GPOIRV>2.0.CO;2 |bibcode=1999JCli...12.3457D }} Extremes of annual rainfall have ranged from as little as {{convert|15.0|mm|in|2|disp=or}} in 1987 to as much as {{convert|1288.1|mm|in|2|disp=or}} in 2010, while as much as {{convert|355.8|mm|in|2|disp=or}} fell in one day on 2 July 1998.

The average maximum temperature is {{Convert|30|C}} with a record high of {{Convert|42.7|C}} and an average minimum temperature of {{Convert|23.6|C}} with a minimum of {{Convert|6.1|C}}; the average annual relative humidity is 72%, with a maximum of 80%.

{{weather box

| width = auto

| location = Dwarka (1991–2020, extremes 1901–present)

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| Jan record high C = 34.0

| Feb record high C = 37.3

| Mar record high C = 38.8

| Apr record high C = 41.1

| May record high C = 42.7

| Jun record high C = 39.5

| Jul record high C = 36.4

| Aug record high C = 35.7

| Sep record high C = 39.4

| Oct record high C = 40.0

| Nov record high C = 37.6

| Dec record high C = 35.2

| year record high C = 42.7

| Jan high C = 26.5

| Feb high C = 27.4

| Mar high C = 29.0

| Apr high C = 30.6

| May high C = 32.0

| Jun high C = 32.7

| Jul high C = 31.1

| Aug high C = 30.1

| Sep high C = 30.7

| Oct high C = 32.1

| Nov high C = 31.8

| Dec high C = 28.6

| year high C = 30.2

|Jan mean C = 21.5

|Feb mean C = 23.0

|Mar mean C = 25.6

|Apr mean C = 27.8

|May mean C = 29.7

|Jun mean C = 30.5

|Jul mean C = 29.3

|Aug mean C = 28.2

|Sep mean C = 28.4

|Oct mean C = 28.7

|Nov mean C = 26.8

|Dec mean C = 23.2

| Jan low C = 16.3

| Feb low C = 18.5

| Mar low C = 22.1

| Apr low C = 25.2

| May low C = 27.4

| Jun low C = 28.4

| Jul low C = 27.5

| Aug low C = 26.3

| Sep low C = 26.0

| Oct low C = 25.2

| Nov low C = 21.8

| Dec low C = 17.9

| year low C = 23.5

| Jan record low C = 6.1

| Feb record low C = 8.3

| Mar record low C = 7.8

| Apr record low C = 17.2

| May record low C = 20.0

| Jun record low C = 22.0

| Jul record low C = 21.3

| Aug record low C = 20.6

| Sep record low C = 21.2

| Oct record low C = 16.7

| Nov record low C = 12.2

| Dec record low C = 8.3

| year record low C = 6.1

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 1.0

| Feb rain mm = 1.0

| Mar rain mm = 0.6

| Apr rain mm = 0.0

| May rain mm = 0.0

| Jun rain mm = 66.5

| Jul rain mm = 188.8

| Aug rain mm = 141.8

| Sep rain mm = 84.4

| Oct rain mm = 3.9

| Nov rain mm = 2.2

| Dec rain mm = 0.5

| year rain mm = 490.8

| Jan rain days = 0.1

| Feb rain days = 0.1

| Mar rain days = 0.1

| Apr rain days = 0.0

| May rain days = 0.0

| Jun rain days = 2.2

| Jul rain days = 6.6

| Aug rain days = 5.5

| Sep rain days = 2.7

| Oct rain days = 0.5

| Nov rain days = 0.1

| Dec rain days = 0.1

| year rain days = 17.9

| time day = 17:30 IST

| Jan humidity = 50

| Feb humidity = 61

| Mar humidity = 71

| Apr humidity = 76

| May humidity = 79

| Jun humidity = 79

| Jul humidity = 82

| Aug humidity = 82

| Sep humidity = 79

| Oct humidity = 69

| Nov humidity = 54

| Dec humidity = 48

| year humidity = 69

| source 1 = India Meteorological Department{{cite web

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf

| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| access-date = 8 April 2024

}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| title = Station: Dwarka Climatological Table 1981–2010

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| pages = 263–264

| access-date = 28 September 2020}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| page = M54

| access-date = 28 September 2020}}

|source 2 = Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1991–2020)

{{cite web

| url = https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=42731

| title = Normals Data: Dwarka – India Latitude: 22.37°N Longitude: 69.08°E Height: 10 (m)

| publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency

| access-date = 1 December 2022}}

}}

File:Bhixuvulu at rukmani mandir 1.JPG

As of the 2011 Census of India,{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=16 June 2004|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=1 November 2008|publisher= Census Commission of India}} Dwarka had a population of 38873 (as per Census 2011, the population reported is 38,873{{Cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/802510-dwarka-gujarat.html|title=Dwarka Population Census 2011|publisher=Census2011.com|access-date=1 November 2008}}). Males constitute 20,306 of the population, and females constitute 18,567. Dwarka has an average literacy rate of 75.94%, lower than the national average of 78.03%; the male literacy rate is 83%, and the female literacy rate is 68.27%. 11.98% of the population is under six years of age.

File:IndianCharmVendor.jpg

Most of the revenue of Dwarka is derived from tourism, due to it being a site for pilgrims. It is a producer of agricultural produce such as millets, ghee (clarified butter), oilseeds, and salt, which are transported from its port. A long-term development plan was proposed in 2011 with investment of {{INRConvert|830|m}} to refurbish Dwarka and to build a bridge connecting the town with Okha and Bet Dwarka.{{Cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/money/report/gujarat-draws-34-proposals-to-boost-tourism/20110307.htm|title=Gujarat draws 34 proposals to boost tourism|access-date=19 April 2015|date=7 March 2011|work=Rediff.com}} A wind farm power generation of 39.2 MW, operated near Dwarka by the AES Saurashtra Windfarms Pvt Ltd (ASW), is now run by Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL).{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/tata-power-acquires-392-mw-wind-farm-in-gujarat/article5726326.ece|title=Tata Power acquires 39.2 MW wind farm in Gujarat|access-date=19 April 2015|date=25 February 2014|newspaper=The Hindu Business Line}} Dwarka's industrial activity mainly centres around cement production. Sharda Peeth Vidya Sabha is an educational society sponsored by the Sharda Peeth, Dwarka which runs an arts college in Dwarka.

Dwarka, renowned as one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites and a significant spiritual hub, attracts numerous tourists and devotees annually.

In December 2023, the Government of Gujarat announced the introduction of India's first submarine-based underwater tourism facility in Dwarka, to be operationalised by October 2024.{{Cite news |title=Gujarat to introduce India's first submarine tourism in Dwarka |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-to-introduce-indias-first-submarine-tourism-in-dwarka-101703836859741.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=29 December 2023 |access-date=29 December 2023}} This initiative, in collaboration with Mazagon Dock shipbuilders, aims to offer an underwater exploration of the marine life around Dwarka.{{Cite news |last=Kotak |first=Yesha |date=28 December 2023 |title=Gujarat Govt Signs MoU with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders For Tourist Submarines to Dwarka |url=https://www.news18.com/india/gujarat-govt-signs-mou-with-mazagon-dock-shipbuilders-for-tourist-submarines-to-dwarka-8720856.html |work=News18 |access-date=29 December 2023}} The project plans to use submarines capable of descending to 100 meters below sea level, each accommodating 24 tourists along with two pilots and crew. The submarines are designed to provide passengers with a view of the underwater environment.{{cite magazine |last=Doshi |first=Brijesh |date=29 December 2023 |title=Gujarat to launch country's first submarine tourism in Dwarka |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gujarat-to-launch-countrys-first-submarine-tourism-in-lost-city-dwarka-lord-krishna-2481709-2023-12-29 |magazine=India Today |access-date=29 December 2023}}

File:Dwaraka.jpg]]

Considered a holy city, Dwarka is well known for its temples and as a pilgrimage centre for Hindus. The Dwarakadhisa Temple, also called Jagat Mandir, located in the heart of Dwarka, is a Vaishnava temple.{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}} It was built by Raja Jagat Singh Rathore, hence it is called Jagat Mandir.{{Sfn|Bandyopadhyay|2014|p=71}} The temple, facing west, is at an elevation of {{Convert|12.19|m}} above mean sea-level. It is conjectured that this temple location is 2,500 years old and is where Krishna built his city and a temple. However, the existing temple is dated to the 16th century.{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}}{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|pp=20–23}} It is a five-storied edifice built over 72 pillars (a sandstone temple with 60 pillars is also mentioned). The temple spire rises to a height of {{Convert|78|m}}, and a very large flag with symbols of the sun and moon is hoisted on it.{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|pp=20–23}}{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}} The temple layout consists of a garbhagriha (Nijamandira or Harigraha) and an antarala (an antechamber).{{Sfn|Paramāra|1996|p=87}} The main deity deified in the sanctum is Dwarkadeesh, which is known as the Trivikrama form of Vishnu and is depicted with four arms.{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|pp=20–23}}

The Dwarakadhisa Temple is also the location of Dvaraka Pitha, also called Sharada Matha/Peeth and "western peeth"),{{sfn|nn|1964|p=12}}{{refn|group=note|name="Saradha"|Dvaraka Peeth, located in the west, and :Sringeri Sharada Peetham, located in the south, are both called "Sharada Peeth".{{sfn|Singh|Mishra|2010|p=322}} In the Telugu language, "Sharada" (శారద) is the name for Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom and learning.Kinsley, David (1988), Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions, University of California Press, {{ISBN|0-520-06339-2}}, pages 55–64 The Sharada Matha/Peeth is not to be confused with Sharada Peeth, a temple in Kashmir.}} one of the four peeths (Sanskrit: "religious center") established by Adi Shankaracharya.

File:Rukmini temple.JPG

Gomti Ghat consists of steps leading to the Gomti River, which is also a holy place for pilgrims to take a dip in the river, before visiting Dwarakadish temple. The ghat has a number of small shrines dedicated to the Samudra (God of the Sea), Saraswati and Lakshmi.{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}} Other notable temples in the ghat area include the Samudra Narayana (Sangam Narayana) temple, which is at the confluence of the Gomti River with the sea, the Chakra Narayana temple where there is a stone with an imprint of a chakra as a manifestation of Vishnu, and the Gomati temple, which has an idol of the river goddess Gomati that is said to have been brought to earth by the sage Vasishta.{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|pp=20–23}}

The Rukmini Devi Temple, dedicated to Rukmini, Krishna's chief queen, is located {{convert|2|km|mi}} away from Dwarka. The temple is said to be 2,500 years old, but in its present form it is estimated to belong to the 12th century. It is a richly carved temple decorated with sculptures of gods and goddesses on the exterior with the sanctum housing the main image of Rukmini. Carved naratharas (human figures) and carved gajatharas (elephants) are depicted in panels at the base of the tower.{{Cite web |url= http://www.gujarattourism.com/destination/details/6/307 |title= Jamnagar |access-date= 14 April 2015 |publisher= Government of Gujarat Tourism |archive-date= 27 April 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150427151656/http://www.gujarattourism.com/destination/details/6/307 |url-status= dead }}

Letitia Elizabeth Landon's poetical illustration {{ws|The Sacred Shrines of Dwarka}}, to an engraving of William Purser's painting shown above (painting of the late 1820s), says little of the temples themselves but does advocate and praise religious tolerance. It was published in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1837.{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1837|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=39BbAAAAQAAJ&pg=GBS.PA38|section=picture|year=1836|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1837|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=39BbAAAAQAAJ&pg=GBS.PA40|section=poetical illustration|page=17|year=1836|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}

Ancient Shiva temple, Nagesvara Jyortirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and only 16 km from Dwarkadhish Temple.

file:Dwarka - Lighthouse.jpg

There is a lighthouse at the Dwarka Point on the Dwarka peninsula, which provides a panoramic view of the town. It is a fixed light situated {{Convert|70|ft}} above the sea level, and the light is visible over a distance of {{Convert|10|mi}}. The lighthouse tower is {{Convert|40|ft}} in height and is {{Convert|117|yard}} away from the high water level in the sea.{{Sfn|Kapoor|2002|p=2103}}{{Sfn|Findlay|1876|p=825}} The radio beacon provided on this lighthouse tower is powered by a solar photovoltaic module.{{Sfn|Sah|1995|p=27}}

There is a lake or tank called Gopi Talab in the western part of Dwarka.

A similar lake known for Gopi Chandan, meaning "sandal paste from Gopi", is situated in Bet Dwarka; this mud is found in the bed of the lake. This fragrant mud is applied as a sanctity symbol by devout Hindus on their forehead.{{cite book|title=Pilgrim Places of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tygzN5FvSKgC&pg=PA30|publisher=Ocean Books|isbn=978-81-87100-41-6|page=36}}

File:At bet dvaraka samudram.JPG

{{main|Bet Dwarka}}

Bet Dwarka, an island in the Arabian sea off the coast of Dwarka. Considered the original residence of Krishna, Bet Dwarka was the old port during the ancient times of Krishna before the Okha port was developed in Dwarka. The temple built here is credited to the religious Guru Vallabhacharya of the "Pushtimarg Sampradaya". Rice is the traditional offering here to the deity as it is believed that Sudama offered rice to his childhood friend Krishna. There are also smaller shrines on Bet Dwarka which are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Hanuman and Devi.{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=286}} According to a legend, Vishnu killed the demon Shankhasura on this island. There are temples of Vishnu in the incarnation of matsya, or fish. Other shrines here are of Rukmini, Trivikrama, Devaki, Radha, Lakshmi, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Lakshmi Narayan, and many other gods.{{Sfn|Kapoor|2002|p=2103}} Sudarshan Setu, a bridge connecting the land to Bet Dwarka, facilitates access to the island.{{Cite news |last=Bisht |first=Shilpi |date=25 February 2024 |title=Gujarat's Sudarshan Setu: How India's Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge will Improve Connectivity |url=https://www.news18.com/explainers/gujarats-sudarshan-setu-how-indias-longest-cable-stayed-bridge-will-improve-connectivity-8792187.html |work=News18 |access-date=23 March 2024}}

Hanuman Dandi temple is another notable temple located in Bet Dwarka, {{Convert|6|km}} away from Dwarkadhish Temple, Bet Dwarka. The temple is deified with many images of Hanuman and his son Makardhwaja. The legend associated with the birth of a son to Hanuman, who is considered celibate, is that the sweat of Hanuman was consumed by a crocodile which then gave birth to a son named Makardhwaja.{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=286}} The Jethwa Rajput clan of Kshatriyas claim their descent from Makardhwaja.

File:Nageshwar Temple.jpg

Nageshvara Jyotirlinga Mandir is a temple dedicated to Shiva, and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (meaning “pillars of light") is deified here in a subterranean cell.{{Sfn|Deshpande|2005|p=273}}

{{main|Shivrajpur beach}}

Shivrajpur Beach is 14.5 km (approx. 8.8 miles){{Cite web |date=5 June 2023 |title=Travel Guide from Dwarka to Shivrajpur Beach Distance & Experience |url=https://shivrajpur.net/dwarka-shivrajpur-distance/ |access-date=27 July 2023 |language=en-GB}} from Dwarka Railway Station and is among eight Indian beaches to get the prestigious Blue Flag beach certification.{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=Ravi Prakash|date=15 October 2020|title=8 Indian beaches get prestigious Blue Flag certification. Check list here|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/best-indian-beaches-get-prestigious-blue-flag-certification-check-list-here-11602743882083.html|access-date=25 January 2021|work=Mint|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=12 October 2020|first=Kuldeep|last=Tiwari|title=Gujarat's Shivrajpur beach gets Blue Flag certification|url=https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/others/gujarats-shivrajpur-beach-gets-blue-flag-certification/articleshow/78611344.cms|access-date=25 January 2021|work=Ahmedabad Mirror|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=29 December 2020|title=Blue flag flutters high in Shivrajpur beach|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/blue-flag-flutters-high-in-shivrajpur-beach/articleshow/79999030.cms|access-date=25 January 2021|work=The Times of India|language=en}}

File:An American Guru distributing love of God among Indians and others in Dwarka, India.jpg

Janmashtami is the main festival that is celebrated during the months of August and September{{Sfn|Desai|2007|p=71}} with great fervor and piety as it is believed to be the abode of Lord Krishna in prehistoric times. The festival is marked by several night long celebrations to mark the birth of Krishna. Bhajans and sermons are part of the festivities. At midnight there is reenactment of Krishna's childhood in the form of Garba and Raas dances. On this occasion, the local boys create a pyramid and a young boy in the costume of Krishna climbs up this pyramid to strike a pot holding butter, an act which Krishna had mischievously performed with the gopis.{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}} This is also known as "Dahi Handi" or Utlotsavam.

Sharda Peeth Vidya Sabha is an educational society sponsored by the Sharda Peeth, which runs an arts college in Dwarka. The town is also home to the N.D.H. High School and P.V.M Girls' High School.{{cite book|title=District Census Handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XcrUAAAAMAAJ|year=1964|publisher=Director, Government Print. and Stationery, Gujarat State|pages=43, 183}}

The Gugli Brahmins are the hereditary pilgrimage priests of Dwarka.{{cite book|last=Tambs-Lyche|first=Harald|title=Power, Profit and Poetry: Traditional Society in Kathiawar, Western India|publisher=Manohar|year=1997|page=213}}

Dwarka is well-connected by road, rail and air to cities across the country.

Dwarka railway station is a fairly busy railway junction station of Western Railways and is served by numerous regional and long-distance trains. It connects the city with major cities of state and the country. A weekly train service connects Guwahati, Rameswaram, Puri, Tuticorin, Dehradun and Kolkata. A daily trains connects the city to major cities in Gujarat such as Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara and Veraval.

Nearest Airport is Jamnagar Airport at 131 km which has a daily direct flight to Mumbai and thrice-in-a-week flights to Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

{{Convert|217|km}} away from Rajkot, 235 km from Somnath and {{Convert|378|km}} from Ahmedabad.

{{Reflist|group=note}}

• Nageshvara Jyotirlinga
• Somnath Temple

{{Reflist|30em}}

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{{refend}}

{{Commons category}}

{{wikiquote}}

• [http://www.dwarkadhish.org/ Dwarkadhish.org] Official website of Jagad Mandir Dwarka
• {{Britannica|174909}}

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{{Hindu holy cities}}

{{Krishna}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Archaeological sites in Gujarat

Category:Cities and towns in Devbhoomi Dwarka district

Category:Former capital cities in India

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Category:Krishna

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Category:Char Dham temples