The Sunken city of India, Dwarka, is an ancient religious city in the state of Gujarat. It is located on the banks of the Gomti river in the Okhamandal Peninsula. Dwarka is widely known for being a sacred pilgrimage site for Hindu pilgrims and one of the four significant pilgrimage sites in India which are 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.
Best Time to Visit Dwarka
Moving to the right time to visit Dwarka Gujarat, the winter of the city is extremely pleasing and thus 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
It all goes back to the time when Lord Krishna, also known as Ranchodji, after his battle with Jara Sangh, escaped from Mathura and came to Dwarka with his Yadav clan. As per the ancient text, Dwarka was known as Anarta. Legends state that the city was built on 12 yojanas of land which was 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 2 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, a different one states that the rise in sea level was the reason behind the submersion.
It is said that the city was rebuilt 6 times after it got submerged in ancient times and the current Dwarka is the seventh version of this city. Apart from the mythological and religious significance, Dwarka is also known for its ancient Hindu temples and exotic beaches.
Major Attractions in and Around Dwarka Gujarat
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 made 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 the architecture of the temple.
2. Beyt Island
Dwarka is not just a place for devotees but is also one of the most popular vacation destinations in India. The beaches of the city are extremely explore-worthy. Beyt Island is approx 30km away from the main town of Dwarka but is visited by a lot of people because of its serenity, temples around it, white sand, coral reefs, and more.
3. Lighthouse
The lighthouse in the city is quite a stunner for all the tourists. It is a 43m tall tower that gives a spectacular view of the sunset and the entire landscape of the place.
How to Reach Dwarka
Dwarka is an ancient city that is considered pious and prominent by Hindu devotees from across the country. Besides being home to Lord Krishna, Dwarka is home to many delightful sites such as Dwarka Beach, Rukmani Temple, Gomti Ghat, and Sudama Setu. You can arrive in this beautiful city through many transportation modes and routes. Listed below are some best travel options that you may consider if planning a trip to Dwarka.
By Road
The holy city 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 that surround 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 reach the holy city. The station gets direct and connecting trains from all the metro cities of India. After deboarding, one has to take the 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 for which you can get on a cab or bus.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Dwarka
Frequently Asked Questions about Dwarka
Q: What are the major tourist attractions in Dwarka?
A: Dwarka is a major pilgrimage center for Hindus, and the city has many temples and sacred sites that attract visitors from all over the world. The Dwarkadhish Temple, the Bet Dwarka, and the Gomti Ghat are some of the popular tourist attractions in Dwarka.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
