Dawaraka Khetram

Legend says that because of demon Jarachanda's botheration there was no peace in Madura. Hence Sri Krishna wished to construct a kingdom in the middle of the ocean. The Lord invited king of the ocean and requested him for some place so that he could construct a kingdom in it. Later at the end of the yuga before the lord left from this world he would surrender the place to the king of the ocean .  Accordingly Samudra-raja gave some place to the Lord. Sri Krishna asked Viswakarma to construct a kingdom for him and he did so. It was named Dwaraka. Sri Krishna shiffted to Dwaraka with his brother Balarama. Sri Krishna married Sri Rukmini . The Lord ruled over the kingdom. He killed Jarachandhan and other Rakshasas and protected the citizens of Madura and Gokulam. At last at the end of his incarnation he handed over the kingdom of Dwaraka to king of the ocean as he had promised and the kingdom sank into the ocean.  The present temple in Gujarat state was built one thousand and five hundred years ago. But it is not known who built this temple. The sailors of Oga harbour ferry the people to the middle of the sea to an island in which there is a temple called Dwaraknatji.  The consorts of the deity in the sanctum is Sri Rukmini devi ,Kalyana tayar, and Sri Ashta Mahishi. The tower is called Sri Hemanth KoodaVimanam,the holy river is called Gomathi river,,Devotee had dharshanam Drowpathi,Pandawas, and the Citizen of Dwaraka. The devotional song on deity, Thirumangai Alzhwar Nammalzhwar, Periyalzhwar,Thirumazhisai alzhwar, and Sri Andal. Sri Bhagavatha puranam haply speaks about Sri Krishna in detail.  History of Dwaraka: There is a written record of the events witnessed at the temple is dated from 400 B.C. when Vajranabha built an umbrella type temple and deified his grand father Krishna’s image there. It has undergone several changes with times under different rulers and in 800 AD, Adi Sankaracharyar is said to have got the Dwarakesh temple renovated and also added a shrine of goddess Adya Shakti. Over the next few centuries more renovations took place with grant of additional land till 1261 AD.  When the temple was destroyed by Mohamed Shah. In following years also, renovation took place In 1504, Sri Vallabacharya established the image of Dwarakadeesh in a well in Ladva village to protect it from Muslim marauders and again it was shifted to Dungarpur where the temple was renovated. In 1861, Maharaja Khanderao renovated the temple. During British rule, the temple tower was rebuilt. A golden pitcher was fixed on the temple tower by Maharaja Gaekwad in the year 1903 and further renovations were undertaken by the then Shankarachrya of Dwarka Peetam. Since 1960, the conservation of the temple is under the control of the Government of India.  

The present Dwarakhadheesh temple is also called the Jagat Mandir (universal shrine) or Trilok sundar (most beautiful in all three worlds), is a seven storied structure, approximately 140 ft in height, appears to be raising above the Arabian sea. It is dated to the 13th century AD on the basis of oceanographic explorations undertaken to trace the ancient temple, which was submerged in the Arabian sea. The elegantly carved temple tower is adorned with a huge flag, which is said to be 156 ft in length with seven colors that can be seen flying from a distance of 10 kilometres hoisting this flag has a great religious significance.. There is an approach to the back side of the temple from the Gomti River end, which is built of 56 steps. The temple built in soft limestone has a sanctum enclosed within a large hall with covered entrance from three sides. While the external carvings excellent and erotic scenes, the temple sanctum is austere in design but the main image is elaborately ornamented.  A temple dedicated to Rukmidi Devi , is located in Bet Dwarka, 2 kilometres away from Dwarka. The temple is said to be 2500 years old but in its present form it is understood to be of 12th century the time of origin. It is a richly carved temple decorated with sculptures of gods and goddesses on the exterior with the sanctum housing the main idol of Rukmini Devi . Carved naratharas and gajatharas (elephants) are depicted in panels at the base of the tower.  An interesting legend is said to justify separate dwelling temples, far away from each other, for Rukmini and her husband Krishna. It is said that at the request of sage Durvasa who was renowned for his short temper and bestowing curses Krishna and Rukmini pulled a chariot taking sage Durvasa to their house for dinner. On the way, when Rukmini asked for water to quench her thirst, Krishna drew Ganges water, by prodding the ground with his toe, for her to drink. Rukmini quenched her thirst with the Ganges water. But Durvasa felt insulted since Rukmini did not have the courtesy to offer him water to drink. He, therefore, cursed her that she would live separately from her husband.

Dawaraka is well connected road and rail services to Delhi.  The nearest Air services is Indira Gandhi Airport New Delhi.  For further information Please contact the local Tourist Office. 

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