Dwarka- the more you’ll say about the city, the lesser it seems. Worldwide known as ‘the abode of Lord Shree Krishna’, Dwarka is one of seven holiest cities in India. It is washed with the holy water of river Gomati. Being the homeland of Lord Krishna, Dwarka also holds the honor of being one of the highest revered ‘Char Dhams’ (the complete pilgrimage) of Hindus.
The interesting fact about Dwarka is that even after being one of the most religious cities of India, it is extremely vibrant. On one side, the devotion of Lord Shree Krishna can embark the visitors on the path of spirituality, on the other hand, the fascinating beaches & islands can make you feel as if you’re in Goa. So, let’s explore together the different facades and places to visit in Dwarka, Gujarat.
Dwarkadhish Temple
Let’s start off by the god’s own place. Dedicated to Lord Shree Krishna, Dwarkadeesh Temple is the essence of Dwarka city. With its painstaking carvings and marvelous architecture, the temple is believed to be built by the Chalukya dynasty more than 2500 years ago. It is a five-storied temple and comprises of 60 unflinching pillars. The mesmerizing black deity of Lord Krishna is the central charm of the temple.
This statue is so much personified and built in a way that for a moment, you’ll feel as if God himself is in front of you. Lord Krishna is the presiding deity but there are also small shrines dedicated to Balram, Subhadra, Rukmani and other wives of Shree Krishna. The calm and spiritual aura of Dwarkadheesh Temple gives a blissful experience to the visitors. This on the top in Places to visit in Dwarka.
- Location: Dwarka, Gujarat 361335
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 09:30 PM
- Ideal for / Things to Do: Spirituality, architecture, heritage, Tulabhara, camel ride, shopping, enjoy sunrise & sunset.
- Required time: 1-2 hrs
- Entry fee: No entry fee
- Best time to visit: November to March
- How to reach: Nearest railway station- Dwarka Railway Station (3 km), nearest airport- Porbandar (97 km).
Must Read:Beautiful Temples In Gujarat To Visit
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
You might have heard that there are 12 divine and intact Jyotirlingas in India. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is one of them. The exact origin period of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is unknown but it is believed to have existed since the era of Lord Krishna. Over the centuries, it has gone through the onslaughts of nature as well human but is still intact and eternal.
The Shivalinga is facing south which is considered to be very auspicious and divine according to Hindu mythology. That’s why it holds such a high reverence and is always thronged by the devotees. The 25m tall Lord Shiva’s statue at the entrance gate amuses the tourists. There are also a tantalizing pond and a verdant garden around the temple, so you can spend some peaceful time here.
- Location: Jamnagar, Gujarat 360001
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- Ideal for / Things to Do: Religion, spirituality, Maha Shivaratri, Abhishekam/Pooja,
- Required time: 1-2 hrs
- Entry fee: No entry fee
- Best time to visit: October to March
- How to reach: Nearest railway station- Dwarka Railway Station (18 km), nearest airport- Porbandar (107 km) & Jamnagar (126 km).
Also Read: Popular Shiva Temples in Gujarat
Dwarka Beach
The spirituality of Dwarka is surely no a secret. Dwarka beach is one of the beautiful places to visit in Dwarka. The city is matted with the holiness and the vibes of sanctity in every step but if you’ll explore it thoroughly, the vibrancy of Dwarka will amuse you.
After all it’s the land Lord Shree Krishna, so how could it be without the high spirits of love? Interestingly, Dwarka is loved for its vivacity as much as it is loved for the piety and you can witness the fact in Dwarka Beach. Located along the Arabian Sea, Dwarka beach is a must-visit place in Dwarka. The soaring waves and the sandy coastlines redefine the calmness in Dwarka Beach. Spend some happy moments here feeling the love.
- Location: Dwarka, Gujarat 361335
- Timings: 10 PM – 6 PM
- Things to Do: Picnic, relaxation, surfing, seashells, photography, sunsets, build a sandcastle,
- Required time: 1-2 hrs
- Best time to visit: Winter season
- How to reach: 1 km from Dwarkadhish temple, nearest railway station- Dwarka Railway Station (4 km), nearest airport- Porbandar (98 km).
Dwarka Beyt
If the mesmerizing charm of Dwarka Beach has made you weak at the keens, so brace yourself and stay stronger because now we’re heading to Dwarka Beyt, the most surreal place in Dwarka. Girded by the marvelous temples and the far-reaching coastline of Dwarka Beach, Dwarka Beyt is a fascinating island in Dwarka. Here again, the spirituality and vibrancy of Dwarka stand side by side.
Where the marine life, sports activities, and camping excursions give the visitors an unforgettable experience, there at the same time, the utmost serenity of Lord Shree Krishna’s temple spellbinds the visitors. This 500-year-old temple renders an incomparable Hindu architecture. This is one of the beautiful places to visit in Dwarka.
- Location: Bet Dwarka, Gujarat 361345
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sightseeing & Things to Do: Buy sea shells, boat ride, palaces of 16108 queens, Shankhasur and Shankhodhar Teertha, Mira Bai Temple, Radhika Rani temple, Dwarkadhish temple, Dandi Hanuman Temple etc.
- Required time: 3-4 hours
- Ferry Cost: INR 10/- per person
- Best time to visit: October to March
- How to reach: Nearest railway station- Okha Railway Station (5 km), nearest airport- Jamnagar (94 km)
Gopi Talav
Gopi Talav is actually a pond that holds the significance form the ages of Lord Shree Krishna. According to legend, this is the same pool where ‘Gopis’ used to bath. Unnumbered of pranks and naughty yet pious activities of Lord Shree Krishna are associated with this place.
Owing to its significance, the pond still is an intriguing place for the devotees. The pilgrims put the yellow sand of the shoreline of Gopi Talav on their forehead considering it auspicious. If you can’t take a dip in Gopi Talav, at least put the ‘Tilak’ of sand of Gopi Talav on your forehead.
- Location: Samlasar Village, Bet Dwarka Road, Dwarka
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Required time: 1-2 Hours
- Best time to visit: During festivals
- How to Reach: Nearest railway station- Dwarka Railway Station (20 km). nearest airport- Jamnagar (114 km)
Dwarka Lighthouse
Dwarka Lighthouse is one of the famous places to visit in Dwarka. Built in the 19th century, Dwarka Lighthouse is the finest engineering feat of modern-age in Dwarka. Reaching up to the height of 43m, Dwarka Lighthouse is located proximate to the confluence of Gomati River and the Arabian Sea. Do you dare to climb over this sky-tearing lighthouse? I’m sure, your soul wouldn’t be with you.
However, if you somehow manage to climb over the lighthouse amid the tidy waves of Arabian Sea, I must say, you have reached the heaven. See the surreal view of entire Dwarka from the high above. And yes, don’t forget to carry your camera because such enthralling places are rare to find.
- Location: Dwarka Lighthouse, Dwarka, Gujarat 361335
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Things to Do: Make footprints in sand, sand sculpture, seashells, picnic, adventure, photography, Dolphin watching, sunrise and sunset etc.
- Required time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Best time to visit: Winter season
- How to Reach: Nearest railway station- Dwarka Railway Station (4.5 km), nearest airport- Porbandar (98.5 km).
Somnath Temple
Somnath temple here is also very famous and is very popular which attracts all kinds of people from different locations in the world, who come to enjoy the marvelous view of the place. This temple has a history of being destroyed as many as six times and each time it has been rebuilt. This temple is known to be located on the western part of the coast in the state called Gujarat.
There is a mythological story related to it. It is said that once during a fight between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma Lord Shiva split the world into three endless lights. In order to prove that they found the lie end of the light them Lord Brahma lied where Lord Vishnu accepted the truth that he failed. Then Lord Shiva himself emerged as the 2nd light. Happy with the truth Lord Shiva told that Lord Vishnu will be worshipped whereas Lord Brahma will not be. Thus, it is believed that there are few holy places where these holy fiery light columns appeared, and one of the few places is Somnath temple Dwarka.
Somnath Dwarka tour package is also available for those who wants to do detailed tour and study of the temple. This is an individual package which helps the tourists to become through with every detail of the temple with the help of a guide. To go from Somnath temple to Dwarka by car on road, roughly a distance of 387 km is needed to be covered that is equivalent to 240 miles.
- Location: Veraval (Somnath)
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Ideal for / Things to Do: Spirituality, Shivratri, Triveni Sangam, camel ride, safari, shopping, enjoy the beaches.
- Required time: 1-2 hrs
- Entry fee: No entry fee
- Best time to visit: November to March
- How to reach: Nearest train station- Veraval Railway Station (5 km), nearest airport- Diu Airport (60 km).
Samudra Narayan Temple
This place is another holy place that is a main site for tourist attraction. Many tourists who visit his place has a firm belief that touch of the piousness of this place is enough to remove all the impurities and evil from life. This faith improves the rate of tourism in this place. This is one of those Temples in Dwarka which attracts many tourists because of its holiness. Just behind the Dwarkadhish temple flows the Gomti River. This river is considered to be very sacred, and tourists make it a point to visit this river whenever they visit this place. This Dwarka temple is situated on the banks of this river.
The people here worship Goddess Gomati and she is the only holy deity of this place. This temple has an amazing surrounding and is famous for its five well. This temple has five wells inside it, and each of these wells contains water which is sweet to taste. Near this temple, there is a stone, which has a charka marked on it as this is said to signify Lord Vishnu. This place lies in between the Arabian Sea and the holy Gomati River. There are many other idols which are enshrined in this very temple and they are Mira Bai, Lord Varuna and Samudra Deva. Here, many sacrifices are also made and there is a tank in this temple, where all these sacrifices are made. This is also one of the most important Tourist places in Dwarka.
- Location: Dwarka, Gujarat
- Timings: 6:15 AM to 9 PM
- Ideal for / Things to Do: worship Goddess Gomati, Gomati River, Mira Bai temple, Lord Varuna temple, Samudra Deva temple, five well.
- Required time: 1 hrs
- Entry fee: No entry fee
- Best time to visit: Winter months
- How to reach: Nearest train station- Dwarka Railway Station (3 km), nearest airport- Porbandar airport (95 km)
Dandi Hanuman Temple
Beyt Dwarka is an island which consists of many temples and places of other important Dwarka temple Gujarat. It lies on the eastern side of the main temple of Beyt Dwarka and this is a very holy place, and there is also an accommodation for those very people who intent to give special offering to the Lord and perform special rituals. In this temple, there is an idol of Lord Hanuman’s son. There are various important and religious places to see in Dwarka and Hanuman Temple is one of them. It is beautiful, and it has got a very holy feeling about it.
There is a mythology attached to the temple, as well. In is said during the Lanka war when Lord Ram was fighting with Ravana, he, Ravana, is said to have made Lord Ram and his brother Laxman Under the Earth also known as Patal. From this place, it is told that Lord Hanuman rescued them by going there and meeting his own son who was there guarding the prisoners. This place is marked as the place where the father and son met.
Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated here with huge grandeur and during Dussehra instead of celebrating this occasion by adorning Lord Ram they celebrate by adorning Lord Krishna. These mythological stories and the idol of Lord Hanuman is what make this place one of the Places to visit near Dwarka Gujarat. This is one of the Pancha Dwarka temples that is a must visit for all the tourists.
- Location: Beyt Dwarka, Gujarat, 361330
- Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM
- Ideal for / Things to Do: Hanuman Jayanti, Dussehra, Ram Navami and many temples.
- Required time: 30 minutes 1 hr
- Entry fee: Not entry fee
- Best time to visit: November to March months
- Nearest train station– Dwarka Railway Station (33 km), nearest airport- Porbandar airport (128 km)
Best Time to Reach Dwarka
Monsoon months and summers are not an optimal time to visit Dwarka. During these seasons, the weather surges up to their peak, so avoid visiting Dwarka during these months. Yeah, you can visit in the early or late months of summers. Ideally, the best time to visit Dwarka is winter. Winters are not freezing in Dwarka, so you can explore the city pleasantly. The average temperature ranges between 15°C-30°C during the season.
How to Reach Dwarka
Dwarka is a major pilgrim spot in India. Millions of tourists flock to the city annually, so you can assume the transport facility. The city is easily accessible by the all modes of transportations but railways are the best way to reach Dwarka as ‘Dwarka Railway Station’ is just at 5 minutes’ drive from the city. If you’re going by airways, Jamnagar Airport will be the most approachable airport for you. It is roughly 130 km from Dwarka. If you talk about road network, being a significant pilgrim site, it is well-linked to the major cities of India.
Replete with the vibrancy, spirituality, humanity, and of course with the never-dying spirits, Dwarka has its own charm and fascination. Here, you actually won’t need to find a corner to feel the serenity because the God’s own land always remains calm. So, visit the city and feel the calmness.
