Dwarka is an ancient city located on the Saurashtra peninsula of Gujarat. The city was once the kingdom of Hindu deity Lord Krishna. The word Dwarka means `the door to salvation and it is a place of much significance in the Hindu culture. It features as the only city that is the part of the Chardham circuit and also one of the seven most holy and ancient cities of Hinduism. It is believed that Dwarka was the first capital of Gujarat. The legend says that the city emerged from the ocean on Lord Krishna’s command after he migrated from Mathura to settle here in this city which earlier was also called `Kaushathali’. Dwarka is mentioned widely in many religious Hindu texts including the Mahabharata. As a city of so much importance in Hindu scriptures, it is home to many majestic temples such as the Dwarkadhish Temple and the Rukmini Temple, etc. And as it is the city of Lord Krishna, Janmashtami is the main festival around to celebrate his birth. The trip to Dwarka will definitely offer you every bit of spirituality and serenity of Gujarat.

Location

This important pilgrimage center is one of the most important cities in Gujarat. This Lord Krishna’s kingdom is situated within the Jamnagar district and right near the River Gomati’s bank. It is on the Saurashtra peninsula and also has a lighthouse in the Arabian Sea which is the farthest human outpost on the western side of the country.

How to Reach

It is a very developed city and connected to all the major cities of Gujarat such as Ahmadabad, Surat, etc. That is why numerous buses, public as well as private, run through the routes regularly and at frequent intervals. Hence, a bus journey can be endeavored to visit this holy site. Many tourists take on the Dwarka Somnath Package from Delhi which is approximately 273 kilometers from Dwarka to visit and experience this magnificent city. There are many well-maintained trains running across the city connecting it to Gujarat as well as to the rest of the country such as Okha Puri Express, Somnath-Dwarka express, and Dwarka express.

The nearest airport from the city is the Jamnagar airport which is at a distance of 130 km from Dwarka. You can take a flight from anywhere in the country and land up there and then take a bus or cab from the airport to the city. There is also another alternative available that is the Porbandar airport which is 110 km away from Dwarka. Besides all this, you can also book a cab or taxi from any major city of Gujarat to Dwarka.

Weather

As the place lies in proximity to the tropical region, Dwarka experiences warm and pleasant weather throughout the year. The summer season starts from the month of March and lasts till the end of June where the average temperature range is between 22 to 40°C. The daytime is unusually hot for a comfortable visit and thus this season is avoided by most of the tourists. The city experiences medium showers of monsoon from July to September with an increase in humidity and a decrease in temperature up to 27 to 35°C. The month of October marks the beginning of winters, although the city experiences no harsh winters mild and pleasant ones where the average temperature is from 8°C to 30°C with dry and clear skies.

Best Time to Visit

The preferred time to go on a trip to Dwarka is the months from November to February when the city experiences the enchanting winters. You can also visit during August or September when the town is immersed in the grand celebrations of Janmashtami. Most people visit during the month of November or the end of February.

Places to Visit

• Dwarkadhish Temple: This majestic temple is almost 2200 years old piece of Chalukya style architecture. The main shrine is very grand and constructed of limestone and sand; it holds a black idol of Lord Krishna.
• Bet Dwarka: The island of Bet Dwarka is located 30 km away from the main city. Surrounded by a few temples with beautiful beaches and coral reefs make it a fabulous tourist attraction. There are many tourist activities such as dolphin spotting, beach camping, etc.
• Rukmini Temple: The temple is devoted to Lord Krishna’s consort, Rukmini Devi. The shrine holds beautiful 12th Century paintings depicting both of them. It is a very skillful piece of architecture worth gazing on.
• Nageshwar Jyotirlinga: It is another prominent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva according to Hindu mythology. The temple has a stunning 80 feet Shiva statue that leaves all the tourists spellbound.
• Gomati Ghat: After visiting all these holy shrines if you want to drive yourself to a secluded place, Gomati River is the perfect place for you. Bathing in the holy waters of this river cleanses your soul and mind. You can also witness the beautiful sunset.
• Dwarka Beach: This beach stretches along the Arabian Sea coast and stands very near the famous Dwarkadhish Mandir. Its clear waters and golden sands provide you a refreshing break from visiting the holy temples.
• Somnath Temple: The word `Somnath’ means ‘the protector of Moon God’. The temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and is also referred to by the name `The Shrine Eternal’. It has been destroyed and rebuilds many times during different ages.
• Dwarka Lighthouse: It is built on the Rupen Creek in the early 19th century and is 35km away from the main city of Dwarka. The present tower of the lighthouse is 43 m high and there is an RCC Baffle wall also. You can glance at the beautiful sunset from here.

Accommodations

There is a wide range of accommodation options available in Dwarka, ranging from five-star hotels to three stars and many budget hotels also. The Fern Sattva Resort and Club Mahindra are some of the luxury hotels in Dwarka. There are many local Inns also available for you to book in. Hotels such as VITS Devbhumi and Dwarkadhish Lords Eco Inn are very popular among tourists.

Food Facilities

Dwarka houses many beautiful restaurants that serve you delectable Gujarati cuisine and North-Indian food. Many people savor the famous Gujarati Thali here and also the unique Khichdi. Other than this the popular snacks of the city are Thepla, Handvo, and Khaman. The most famous restaurant in Dwarka is Sharanam of Hotel Guruprerna.