Pilgrimages are an inseparable part of Hindu culture and life. Devout Hindus consider it their sacred duty to undertake a major pilgrimage at least once in their life with Amarnath, chardham in Uttarakhand, major char dhams, Vaishnodevi, Varanasi, Allahabad and Haridwar being the most popular. For Krishna devotees it is obligatory to visit the Panch Dwarkas in Western India of which the Gomti Dwarka or Dwarka, the most important and major pilgrimage spot.
History
Dwarka is devbhoomi, one of the 108 divya Desams of Lord Vishnu whose avatar Lord Krishna is. Lord Krishna left Mathura in order to avoid battles with Jarasandha and founded his Kingdom in Dwarka, later on submerged in the sea after his death with the Dwarka temple built by his great grandson Vajranabha a testimony to faith and devotion. The Dwarkadheesh temple is situated right next to the holy Gomti River due to which it is also known as Gomti Dwarka. Gomti River has an interesting history.
The Gomti River originates in Nepal as a tributary of the holy river Ganges and flows throrugh UP and confluences with the Ganges near Gazipur but the devout believe it submerges and emerges at Dwarka. In traditional Hindi mythology Gomti is believed to be the daughter of sage Vashisht. Bathing in the river cleanses one of sins and it is no surprise that one can see thousands of devotees bathing in the tank alongside the Dwarkadheesh temple. The temple itself has two main doors, one of which is Swarga dwar or door to heaven and another is Moksha dwar or door to liberation. The Gomti Ghat in Dwarka is also home to several other temples but the chief attraction is Jagat mandir or Dwarka mandir as it is known. The Dwarkadheesh temple was renovated down the centuries and gained importance after it was given a facelift by followers of Vallabhacharya and also due to Adi Sankaracharya’s efforts.
The tank is where the Gomti river confluences with the Arabian Sea and it are known as Gomti Sangam. This is where Lord Krishna is said to have served the holy sage Durvasa. Durvasa was a sage known for his fiery temper. Krishna and Rukmini were escorting Durvasa to their residence and she expressed a desire to have a drink of water. Krishna dug a well with his powers and offered the water to Rukmini who drank thirstily and this enraged Durvasa who cursed her to remain on the spot, separated from Krishna. This is why Rukmini is not shown alongside Krishna and why she has a separate Rukmini temple at that spot. However, most pilgrims make a beeline for Dwarka temple and Gomti Ghat that has temples to Sarasvati, Lakshmi, to the God of the Sea and also a Shiv temple.
The Jagat Mandir with its 52 yards long flag on top of a golden spire is a five storeyed structure entirely in stone with beautiful sculptures inside and outside. IT has about 72 pillars, each one richly carved and the sanctum has the idol of Lord Krishna in the trivikram form. Descend 56 steps and you are at the Gomti Ghat also known as Chakratirtha Ghat. Pilgrims usually buy Gomti chakras, their term for spiel shaped sea shells available here, or pick them from the sand as a means of divine protection.
How to Reach & Location
Gomti Ghat is just a 20 minute distance from Dwarka city centre and there are plenty of auto rickshaws and jeeps available as well as cycle rickshaws. Dwarka can be reached from various cities of Gujarat. Jamnagar is the nearest airport from where state transport buses and private vehicles are available. Ahmedabad is about 378 km away and a train connects the city to Okha, close to Dwarka. One can just as well drive up the coast from Junagadh to Somnath to Dwarka or from Rajkot, about 217 km away. Gomti Dwarka is located on the Arabian Sea coast in Okhamandal region in Saurashtra in Gujarat in Western India.
Best Time to visit & Weather
The best time for pilgrimage to Dwarka is undoubtedly Janmashtami when the whole region is pervaded by religious fervour and lakhs of pilgrims arrive from all over the country. This is when you can see and experience the devotion Lord Krishna inspires. Summers can be quite hot but mitigated by the sea breezes. Winter is best because it becomes cool but not quite chilly. Just after the rains is a good time when everything around is green.
Temple Timing
If it is Gomti Ghat you want to visit, it is open all the time. The Jagat Mandir of Dwarka, however, has fixed timings. The temple opens at 6.30 AM and closes at 1 PM. The evening timings are from 5 PM to 9.30 PM. In between devotees can spend time visiting Rukmini Devi temple and other attractions in Dwarka or just laze on the beach.
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| Gomti Ghat, Dwarka, Gujrat |
History
Dwarka is devbhoomi, one of the 108 divya Desams of Lord Vishnu whose avatar Lord Krishna is. Lord Krishna left Mathura in order to avoid battles with Jarasandha and founded his Kingdom in Dwarka, later on submerged in the sea after his death with the Dwarka temple built by his great grandson Vajranabha a testimony to faith and devotion. The Dwarkadheesh temple is situated right next to the holy Gomti River due to which it is also known as Gomti Dwarka. Gomti River has an interesting history.
The Gomti River originates in Nepal as a tributary of the holy river Ganges and flows throrugh UP and confluences with the Ganges near Gazipur but the devout believe it submerges and emerges at Dwarka. In traditional Hindi mythology Gomti is believed to be the daughter of sage Vashisht. Bathing in the river cleanses one of sins and it is no surprise that one can see thousands of devotees bathing in the tank alongside the Dwarkadheesh temple. The temple itself has two main doors, one of which is Swarga dwar or door to heaven and another is Moksha dwar or door to liberation. The Gomti Ghat in Dwarka is also home to several other temples but the chief attraction is Jagat mandir or Dwarka mandir as it is known. The Dwarkadheesh temple was renovated down the centuries and gained importance after it was given a facelift by followers of Vallabhacharya and also due to Adi Sankaracharya’s efforts.
The tank is where the Gomti river confluences with the Arabian Sea and it are known as Gomti Sangam. This is where Lord Krishna is said to have served the holy sage Durvasa. Durvasa was a sage known for his fiery temper. Krishna and Rukmini were escorting Durvasa to their residence and she expressed a desire to have a drink of water. Krishna dug a well with his powers and offered the water to Rukmini who drank thirstily and this enraged Durvasa who cursed her to remain on the spot, separated from Krishna. This is why Rukmini is not shown alongside Krishna and why she has a separate Rukmini temple at that spot. However, most pilgrims make a beeline for Dwarka temple and Gomti Ghat that has temples to Sarasvati, Lakshmi, to the God of the Sea and also a Shiv temple.
The Jagat Mandir with its 52 yards long flag on top of a golden spire is a five storeyed structure entirely in stone with beautiful sculptures inside and outside. IT has about 72 pillars, each one richly carved and the sanctum has the idol of Lord Krishna in the trivikram form. Descend 56 steps and you are at the Gomti Ghat also known as Chakratirtha Ghat. Pilgrims usually buy Gomti chakras, their term for spiel shaped sea shells available here, or pick them from the sand as a means of divine protection.
How to Reach & Location
Gomti Ghat is just a 20 minute distance from Dwarka city centre and there are plenty of auto rickshaws and jeeps available as well as cycle rickshaws. Dwarka can be reached from various cities of Gujarat. Jamnagar is the nearest airport from where state transport buses and private vehicles are available. Ahmedabad is about 378 km away and a train connects the city to Okha, close to Dwarka. One can just as well drive up the coast from Junagadh to Somnath to Dwarka or from Rajkot, about 217 km away. Gomti Dwarka is located on the Arabian Sea coast in Okhamandal region in Saurashtra in Gujarat in Western India.
Best Time to visit & Weather
The best time for pilgrimage to Dwarka is undoubtedly Janmashtami when the whole region is pervaded by religious fervour and lakhs of pilgrims arrive from all over the country. This is when you can see and experience the devotion Lord Krishna inspires. Summers can be quite hot but mitigated by the sea breezes. Winter is best because it becomes cool but not quite chilly. Just after the rains is a good time when everything around is green.
Temple Timing
If it is Gomti Ghat you want to visit, it is open all the time. The Jagat Mandir of Dwarka, however, has fixed timings. The temple opens at 6.30 AM and closes at 1 PM. The evening timings are from 5 PM to 9.30 PM. In between devotees can spend time visiting Rukmini Devi temple and other attractions in Dwarka or just laze on the beach.
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