The Sunken city of India, Dwarka, is an ancient religious city in Gujarat. It is located on the banks of the Gomti River in the Okhamandal Peninsula. Dwarka is widely known as a sacred pilgrimage site for Hindu pilgrims and one of the four significant pilgrimage sites in India collectively known as Char Dham. It is also one of the seven most ancient cities in the country. Dwarka was an ancient kingdom of Lord Krishna and was the first capital of the state of Gujarat. Dwarka is a place that will not only submerge you in its rich heritage but also in the exotic beaches that surround this holy city. Keep reading to know more information about Dwarka.
Best Time to Visit Dwarka
When is the right time to visit Dwarka, Gujarat? The winter of the city is extremely pleasing, and thus,, the months between December and March are ideal for a visit. The Janmashtami of Dwarka is world famous, and if you wish to enjoy the grand festivities, then you can also plan a trip in August or September at the time of the festival.
History of Dwarka - The Sunken City of India
According to Dwarka history, It all goes back to when Lord Krishna, also known as Ranchodji, escaped from Mathura after his battle with Jara Sangh and came to Dwarka with his Yadav clan. Dwarka was known as Anarta. Legends state that the city was built on 12 yojanas of land granted to Lord Krishna after he worshipped Samudradev, the lord of the ocean. Another belief states that Vishwakarma built the entire city for Lord Krishna and his clan in just two days! While one theory says that after the death of Lord Krishna, the city got hit by a massive tsunami that submerged the entire city into the ocean, another theory states that the rise in sea level was the reason behind the submersion.
It is said that the city was rebuilt six times after it was submerged in ancient times, and the current Dwarka is the seventh version of this city. Apart from its mythological and religious significance, Dwarka is also known for its ancient Hindu temples and exotic beaches.
Major Attractions in Gujarat
Want to make the most of your trip to Dwarka? Add the below mentioned famous tourist places in Dwarka for an extraordinary experience:
1. Dwarkadhish Temple
Dwarka, a holy city in the state of Gujarat, has many significant historical Hindu temples, such as the Dwarkadhish temple, which was built with Chalukya architecture around 2200 years ago. Devotees from all across India come and visit the temple to seek the blessings of the Lord and appreciate its architecture.
2. Beyt Island
Dwarka is not just a place for devotees but also one of India's most popular vacation destinations. The city's beaches are extremely explore-worthy. Beyt Island is approximately 30km away from the main town of Dwarka but is visited by many people because of its serenity, temples around it, white sand, coral reefs, and more.
3. Lighthouse
The lighthouse in the city is quite a surprise for all the tourists. It is a 43m tall tower that gives a spectacular view of the sunset and the entire landscape.
How to Reach Dwarka
Dwarka is an ancient city considered pious and prominent by Hindu devotees nationwide. Besides being home to Lord Krishna, Dwarka has many delightful sites, including Dwarka Beach, Rukmani Temple, Gomti Ghat, and Sudama Setu. You can arrive in this beautiful city using many transportation modes and routes. Below are some of the best travel options for planning a trip to Dwarka.
By Road
The holy city of Dwarka in Gujarat is 1,300km, 940km, 2,400km, and 1,800km away from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, respectively. Traveling by road will give you a sneak peek into the rural life of villages and the natural beauty and infinite exotic landscapes surrounding them.
Below mentioned is the estimate of distance in kilometers and the best travel route that you may take if arriving from nearby cities or states.
- Jamnagar - 132 km via NH 947
- Rajkot - 225 km via NH 947
- Porbandar - 104 km via NH 51
- Somnath - 230 km via NH 51
- Ahmedabad - 440 km via NH 47 and NH 947
- Vadodara - 513 km via NH 947
- Surat - 675 km via NH 48
By Rail
Dwarka railway station is the nearest railway station to the holy city. The station receives direct and connecting trains from all the metro cities of India. After deboarding, one has to take local transport such as a taxi, bus, or autorickshaw to reach the holy temples and tourist sites that one wishes to explore. Listed below are the direct trains that one may consider traveling to Dwarka.
- Mumbai - Saurashtra Mail
- Jamnagar - Okha Passenger
- Rajkot - Dwarka Express, SMNH OKHA Express
There are majorly connecting trains from metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru to reach Dwarka.
By Air
Jamnagar Airport (JGA) is the nearest airport if you wish to reach Dwarka. One will get direct flights to Jamnagar from Mumbai and connecting flights to Jamnagar via all the other metro cities. After leaving the airport, one has to travel another 127km to reach Dwarka, which you can get on a cab or bus.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Dwarka
So, are you all set to explore this ancient city of Dwarka? If yes, then why wait any longer to explore the spiritual significance and breathtaking tales of this city. Hurry and book now with adotrip.com to make your trip a perfect 10/10.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Dwarka
Q: What are the major tourist attractions in Dwarka?
A: Dwarka is a major pilgrimage centre for Hindus, and the city has many temples and sacred sites that attract visitors worldwide. The Dwarkadhish Temple, the Bet Dwarka, and the Gomti Ghat are some of the popular tourist attractions in Dwarka.
Q: Why is Dwarka famous?
A: Dwarka is an ancient city and is famous for its religious significance. It is believed that this was the capital of Lord Krishna’s kingdom.
Q: How to see Dwarka underwater?
A: You can see Dwarka underwater via scuba diving options. The experts will take you near an Island called Bet Dwarka for the same.
Q: How old is Dwarka?
A: According to Dwarka history, the ancient city is 9000 years old.
