A tour to Dwarka will hypnotize you with the historic and spiritual significance of India and that is why Dwarka is one of the prominent spiritual destinations in India. This mesmerising city to the west of Saurashtra has a great deal to travel for. Here are some of the best temples to explore on your visit to Dwarka.
1. DWARKADHEESH TEMPLE / JAGAT TEMPLE
Dwarkadheesh Temple, famously known as the Jagat Temple, was built in the 16th century. It was constructed by the grandson of Lord Krishna, King Vajra Nabha and is made of sandstone and limestone. This temple is 70.5 meters high adding to its grandeur. On the Shikhara of the temple is a 24-meter flag with images of moon and sun on it. This holy of holies has a sanctum of 1800 sq. ft. As per the ritual, visitors must move 56 times around the sanctum, speaking to the 52 managerial divisions of the Yadava realm.
Jagat Mandir has two main passages, one on the north and another on the south. The north passage is of primary access known as the ‘Moksha Dwara’ (Door to Salvation). While the south passage is known as the ‘Swarga Dwara’ (Gate to Heaven). This passage opens to Gomti River, where believers drench into the river water to purify themselves before entering the temple premises.
2. NAGESHVAR JYOTIRLINGA SHIVA TEMPLE
Also known as the Nag Nath’s sanctuary, this pioneer temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas from Shiva Purana. A large mass of explorers come here for endowments from the all-powerful. It is accepted that the mammoth sculpture of Shivalinga is certitude amid cynicism and toxics. During Shivratri, the place is even more crowded with overflowing enthusiasm.
Nageshvara Jyotirlinga Temple is situated in Dwarka. The scriptures of Shiv Mahapuran state that both Brahma (the creator of the universe) and Vishnu (the preserver of the universe) once got into a bitter argument where Shiva appeared as the Jyotirlinga to caste the transient and reveal the true. Thus, a Jyotirlinga is the symbol of indivisible realities to commemorate the appearance of Shiva.
3. SAMUDRA NARAYAN TEMPLE
This sanctuary is neighbourhood to the Dwarkadheesh Temple. In spite of the fact that its design is new, it looks momentous. With Dravidian style architecture, it has carvings on the dividers which add to the appealing design. The idols of Hindu divine Gods and Goddesses put in to the harmony.
This temple is located at the conflux of river Gomti and the Arabian Sea. It is dedicated to the Goddess of river Gomti as river Gomti in Dwarka, Gujarat is believed to have been made to flow by sage Vasishta on Rama’s victory over Ravana.
The temple is surrounded by 5 wells of sweet water also known as panchanda teertha. Chakra Narayana shrine is also in vicinage to Samudra Narayana Temple. It is a stone which has Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra engraved.
4. GEETA MANDIR
A sophisticatedly designed sanctuary made of white marble, Geeta Mandir looks just as enchanting and refined. The temple is committed to Bhagavad Gita. In fact, it was built to protect the teachings of the Hindu holy book. All over the Geeta Mandir, excerpts from Bhagavat Gita are carved on the walls of this holy place.
Geetha Mandir is a Vaishnavaite temple on the Arabian coasts of Dwarka. The sanctum sanctorum of this temple has a divine sculpture of Lord Krishna. It also has the ‘Gita Stambh’. Often a stunner to its visitors, the Gita Stambh is significant of victory of truth over the evil as was witnessed in the epic of Mahabharata.
5. RUKMINI DEVI TEMPLE
Dedicated to Lord Krishna’s consort, Rukmini Devi temple is situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi. The temple, according to the existing scriptures is said to be 2500 years old, however, its rocks date to the 12th century AD. It is possible that this sanctuary was rebuilt after an attack of some sorts. Built in Dravidian style architecture, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple places Goddess Rukmini Devi’s stone statue, Lord Krishna’s chief queen.
Not only are the visitors mesmerised with its workmanship but are also hypnotized by murals of Lord Krishna and Rukmini Devi’s love painted on its walls. Exterior of the temple has carvings of Narathras (human figures) and Gajarathas (elephants) to add that oomph to the architectural design of the temple.
Rukmini Devi temple is located at a good distance to all the other temples dedicating Lord Krishna in Dwarka. It is because of Sage Durvasa’s curse. Durvasa’s curse prophesised that Rukmini Devi shall live separately from her husband because Rukmini Devi once had the audacity to drink water without offering sage Durvasa.
6. GOMTI GHAT
According to the bygone eras, waters of the river Gomti are as holy as Ganges. As mentioned above, this river was made to flow by sage Vasishta on Rama’s victory over Ravana. Rama took a ritualistic holy dip in river Gomti for his atonements to the karmas of mass killing in his war with Ravana.
Gomti Ghat or the banks of river Gomti is of honourable importance in history. Believers consider having a devout dip in its waters, as say the rituals, to polish life with good karmas. The ghat also has Gomti Mataji temple, Lord Shiva’s temple and the shrines of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Goddess Sarasvati, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Samudra and Sudama. Every year numerous vacationers from different parts of the world come to perform this custom.
7. GOPI TALAB
This is where Krishna used to allure his Gopis (youthful female occupants) with young tricks and emotions. This is also where Krishna used to meet Radha and spend his time of the day away from village. It is said that after Lord Krishna passed on, his Gopis from childhood and puberty could not settle with this separation. All of Lord Krishna’s Gopis immersed themselves alive in the soil of Gopi Talab’s embankment.
The lake is encircled by shoe like yellow sand is equivalent to Chandan. This Gopi Chandan is utilized by the devotees to make tilaks on their bodies. The lake also has floating rocks etched with Lord Krishna’s name making it a seriously pretty sight.
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