Visit the ancient city and 10 temples of Dwaraka in Gujarat which is one of the Hindu pilgrimage sites in India.
Dwarka is a city located in the Dev Bhumi district of the northwestern state of Gujarat. Dwarka is an ancient city and a Hindu pilgrimage site. Thousands of people flock here to pay homage and pay homage to the holy deities. It is one of the seven Hindu pilgrimage sites and is also considered one of the holiest cities in the country.
According to archaeologists, the ancient city of Dwarka is submerged under the Arabian Sea and they are still excavating the ruins of the city. Mythological legends say that this place was founded by Lord Krishna and he lived here for 36 years of his life. It is also believed that this place played a major role when he participated in the battle between Pandavas and Kauravas.
The city has immense mythological significance but also has some beautiful temples that give you a sense of serenity along with a spiritual atmosphere. Here is a list of temples that you must not miss when visiting this city of Dwarka!
Dwaraka Temples in Gujarat
1. The most famous Dwarkadhish Temple
This temple was built by Vajranabha nearly 2,200 years ago on land reclaimed from the sea by Lord Krishna. This massive temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The architecture is inspired by the Chalukya style and is known as Jagat Mandir. The main shrine is elaborately designed in five tiers of limestone and sand. The temple is famous for its detailed carvings made by the dynasties that ruled the area. The main attraction of the temple is the black marble statue of Lord Krishna which is visited by devotees after taking a bath and purifying themselves in the Gomti River. The main festival celebrated here on a grand scale is Janmashtami and the temple is considered one of the seven Moksha Puris. This is one of the famous temples of Gujarat.
The most famous Dwarkadhish Temple. Kiomoi
Photo: @dwarkasomnathtourpackages
2. Rukmini Devi Temple
This temple may be a small structure but it is very special, it was built for Lord Krishna’s wife, Rukmini Devi, who is also known as the incarnation of Devi Lakshmi. The intricate carvings on the walls of this temple will leave you spellbound. The paintings on the walls show Lord Krishna and Rukmini Devi together and may date back to the 12th century.
Legend has it that this Dwaraka temple in Gujarat is over 2,500 years old, but its current structure reflects the architectural style of the 12th century. Though smaller than the nearby Dwarkadhish Temple dedicated to Krishna, the Rukmini Devi Temple exudes an equally powerful spiritual aura. The Rukmini Devi Temple follows the Nagara style of temple architecture. The exterior features intricate carvings depicting gods, goddesses, and celestial beings. The panels at the base of the temple feature human figures (naratharas) and elephants (gajatharas), adding another layer of artistic detail, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Hindu mythology and devotion.
Rukmini Devi Temple. Photo: @ saaiii___
3. Temple Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is a sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It houses one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas in India. Located on the Saurashtra coast in Gujarat, between the city of Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka Island, the temple attracts numerous devotees all year round.
The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple boasts a red structure that stands out from its surroundings. A large hall leads to the main sanctuary where the revered Jyotirlinga resides in an underground chamber. Visitors are in awe of the 25-meter-tall statue of Lord Shiva in a seated position, adding to the grandeur of the temple. The complex also has a serene garden and a sacred pond.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. Photo: @ Picasa
4. Gita Temple in white marble
This temple is one of the youngest Dwaraka temples in Gujarat . Built by the Birla family in 1970, this temple is made of white marble. This structure will amaze you with its simplicity and sense of serenity. This temple was mainly built to preserve the teachings and values of the Hindu religious book Bhagavad Gita. You can stay within the temple premises as it has accommodation facilities for pilgrims.
Clad in beautiful white marble, the Gita Temple exudes an aura of serenity and grandeur. Intricate carvings and paintings adorn the walls depicting various scenes from the Mahabharata and the life of Lord Krishna. Visitors are greeted by lush gardens, creating a tranquil atmosphere conducive to spiritual contemplation and reflection.
Gita Temple. Photo: @ Club Mahindra
5. Samudra Narayan Temple
Located at the point where the Gomti River meets the Arabian Sea, this Dwaraka temple in Gujarat was built as a dedication to Goddess Gomti. The temple offers a stunning view of the sunset over the Arabian Sea. The exterior of the temple is adorned with intricate carvings. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple is believed to be the place where the Gomti River joins the ocean. The temple is also a part of the Dwarka pilgrimage route. Devotees come here to experience the spiritual atmosphere along with the scenic beauty of the Arabian Sea.
Samudra Narayan Temple. Photo: @ meinbhiphotographer
6. Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple
This temple is believed to be 5,000 years old and was built around a Shivling found submerged under the Arabian Sea. Although it is a beautiful temple, you need to visit it during the monsoon season as it gets submerged under the sea every year. This famous temple in Gujarat is known for its breathtaking views and tranquil surroundings.
Situated on a small hillock jutting into the Arabian Sea, the temple offers spectacular views of the Dwarka coastline. During high tide, the steps leading to the temple are submerged, creating the iconic and dramatic image of the temple being embraced by the sea. Every year during the monsoon, the temple is briefly submerged. Devotees believe that this is a natural abhishekam, a sacred purification ritual bestowed upon Shivalinga by the ocean itself.
The temple complex has over 1300 Shiva Lingas, signifying deep reverence for Lord Shiva. There are also 75 metal relics believed to be associated with Adi Shankaracharya and 1200 Saligramas, sacred stones worshipped by Vaishnavites.
Beautiful Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple. Source: @ Incredible India7. Gayatri Shaktipeeth Temple
This Dwaraka temple in Gujarat is famous for its tranquil atmosphere, providing a space for devotees to seek blessings for knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual growth. The Gayatri Shaktipeeth Temple holds a unique place in Hinduism. Unlike other Shaktipeeths dedicated to different forms of Goddess Sati, this temple honors Gayatri, another manifestation of the goddess.
Gayatri Shaktipeeth Temple. Photo: @ Rachel Hunter
8. ISKCON Dwarka Dham
ISKCON Dwarka Dham, also known as Sri Sri Rukminidevi Dwarkadhish Dham, is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and his wife Rukmini in Dwarka, Gujarat, India. It is part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a worldwide Hindu religious organization. ISKCON Dwarka Dham offers a variety of spiritual and community activities. Visitors can participate in daily worship rituals (aarti) and enjoy darshan, a blessed encounter with the deities. Learn more about Krishna consciousness through lectures and discussions on Hindu scriptures and philosophy. Enjoy prasadam, sacred vegetarian food offered to the deities.
ISKCON Dwarka Dham Temple. Photo: @ Lonely Planet
9. Swaminarayan Temple
This is one of the newest structures compared to other Dwaraka temples in Gujarat located in the city. This temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. Although this temple is a recent construction, the architecture and carvings of the temple have been done very skillfully. They are usually built using traditional methods, often without steel beams, and have intricate carvings and sculptures. This temple has a sense of peace and you will feel the divinity inside. Swaminarayan Temple welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds, offers a glimpse into Hindu culture and traditions, and also has a dedicated space to learn about Hinduism.
Dhyan Swaminarayan. Source: @Akshardham
10. Makardhwaj Mandir
Makardhwaj Temple is a special Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman and his son, Makardhwaj. Located on the remote island of Beyt Dwarka in Gujarat, India, this temple is known to be the only temple in the world dedicated to Makardhwaj.
Makardhwaj Mandir Temple. Photo: @goldentriangletour
The word Dwarka can be broken down into two parts — ‘dwar’ means door in Sanskrit and ‘ka’ means moksha or the path to salvation. The city is one of the four main holy places in India, also known as Char Dham. It is also one of the seven holy cities, known as Sapta Puri. Dwarka is a city you should visit to see all the unique temples here.
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