Dwarka Darshan

18th June 2016: Krishna's Dwarka

Worshiped as the 8th incarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu, Krishna is believed to have been born sometime between 1500 and 700 BC in Mathura, just south of Delhi in the modern state of Uttar Pradesh. There Krishna killed the oppressive king Kansa, angering his father-in-law Jarasandh. Jarasandh attacked Krishna's kingdom 17 times in a lengthy war as he tried to avenge the death of his son-in-law. The people of Mathura, the Yadavs, suffered heavy casualties. Krishna knew that his people would not be able to survive another war with Jarasandh, as the ongoing conflict was not only taking lives but also impacting trade and farming. So as to avert any further casualty, Krishna left the battle grounds and began to be known as Ranchhodji (one who leaves the battle grounds).

Krishna, along with the Yadav dynasty, crossed Gomantak (Girnar Mountain), and arrived at the coast of Saurashtra at a distance of 32 km from Somnath. According to some references, he arrived near the present day Okha and established his kingdom on Beyt Dwarka. It is believed that Samudradev, the lord of the sea, blessed Krishna with a land measuring twelve yojanas (773 square km) and Vishwakarma, the celestial architect in Hinduism, granted Krishna's wishes and built him his new kingdom. This new capital flourished with such wealth and oppulence that it was called the City of Gold, and Krishna came to be known as Dwarkadheesh (King of Dwarka). Krishna's life goal was to re-establish a kingdom based on the principal of Sat Dharma or 'true religion'. Dwarka, also known as Dwaravati, comes from the words dwara, meaning 'door,' and ka, meaning 'Brahma.' Thus the name refers to the place as a door to union with Brahma, the indescribable ground of all reality, in other words a gateway to spiritual liberation.

Dwarka was reportedly a thoroughly planned city, which had six well-organized sectors, residential and commercial zones, wide roads, plazas, palaces and many public utilities. Public meetings were held in a hall called sudharma sabha (meeting of true religion). In ancient times its flourishing port was considered to be the gateway to the mainland. The city had 700,000 palaces made of gold, silver and other precious stones, as well as beautiful gardens and lakes. The entire city was surrounded by water and connected with the mainland through well-constructed bridges.

Death of Dwarkadhish
After returning from the historic Kurukshetra war between the Pandavas and Kauravas, Krishna found that the Yadav dynasty had declined to a state of deplorable behavior, quarrels and negligency. Slowly the dynasty receded into infighting, and their own self-inflicted demise. Unable to end the bloodshed, Krishna departed to the forest, where he was accidentally shot by an arrow at Bhalka Tirtha and finally left his body in Dehotsargh, where he was cremated by Arjun.

Dwarka Submerged
The death of Krishna symbolized the beginning of the Kali-yuga, an age of strife, discord and quarrel. After Krishna's departure a massive flood swallowed up the city of gold, and it is believed that the city was submerged by the ocean and rebuilt six times by different civilizations. The modern day Dwarka is the 7th such city to be built in the area.

There are various theories suggesting the exact location of the original Dwarka. But there are also some archaeological signs to support the belief that the ancient Dwarka lies buried under the present Dwarka and extended up to Beyt Dwarka in the north, Okhamadhi in the south, and Pindara in the east

Dwarkadhish Temple

The Dwarkadhish Temple which is also known as the Jagat Temple was built in the 16th century. The original temple was constructed by King Vajranabha, the great grandson of Lord Krishna. The five storied temple is constructed using sand and limestone with a 70.5 metres high spire and has a platform area of 1800 sq. ft. The temple comprises of a shrine and has a temple dome with a 24 m long multi-colored flag, with symbols of sun and moon. Dwaraka is set on the Arabian sea and the Dwarakadish temple is sitauted right next to the Arabian sea. Temple Timings: Morning 7 am to 12 pm and evening 5 pm to 9.30 pm

Lord Dwarakadish

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is also known as the Nagnath temple. It is around 20 kms from Dwaraka. It's a famous Lord Shiva Shrine in India and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The lingam enshrined in the temple is of Nageshwara Mahadev, who symbolizes protection from all kinds of poison. Legend has it that a devotee of Lord shiva by name Supriya was attacked by a demon Daaruka, while in a boat that demon imprisoned him along with several others at his captial forest Daarukaavanam, where he resided with his wife Daaruki. Lord shiva came in the form of Jyothirlingam and vanquished the demon with the paasupata Astram.

Nageswar Jyothirling

The main highlight is the giant statue of Nageshwara Mahadev Shiva Lingam. The temple is unique as the Shiva Lingam faces south like Mahakaaleshwar ujjain and the Gomugam faces east. A devotee by name Naamdev was singing bhajans in front of the Lord with utmost pure devotion. Other devotees asked him to stand aside. To this behaviour of other devotees, Naamdev asked them to suggest one direction in which the Lord doesn't exist, so that he can stand there. The enraged devotee carried him and pushed him on the south side. To their astonishment, they found that the lingam was now facing south with the Gaumukh facing East. The Shiva ratri festival is celebrated at this temple in grand style at this temple and is attended by thousands of devotees. 

Gopi Talaav:

Once Gopis requested Lord Krishna to create a pilgrimage site for them so that they too could achieve nirvana  by meditating on his appearance, singing devotional songs etc. while staying there. Lord Krishna agreed to this request. Pointing towards a lake situated near Maya Sarovar, He said: “Look at this reservoir whose water here is as pure as the heart and mind of a gentleman. This lake has been constructed only for you and will become famous by your name.” Again the Gopis requested Lord Krishna to make the reservoir as his abode, as all the three worlds (Bhur loka, Bhuva loka, Swarga loka), all the austerities and charities are situated in his very abode. According to the Gopis, Devi Saraswati and Devi Laxmi have their abodes in his mouth and chest  respectively.

Person attains the supreme destination by devotionally taking bath in the Gopi Talaav and performing tarpan to the ancestors and the deities, and giving donations and performing charities . By performing shraadh here, a man’s desire for obtaining a son may be fulfilled. One who takes bath in the holy water of Gopi talaav gets whatever he desires ,salvation or the heavenly planets.

Beyt Dwarka

The Beyt Dwarka is an island located around 30 km from the main town of Dwarka. The temple was built by Sri Vallabhacharya and is over 500 years old. The island is enclosed by a few temples, white sand beach and coral reefs. The key temple at the island is of Lord Krishna, which is said to be placed at a site which was once the residence of Lord Krishna and His family. There are addition temples on this island. The street which leads to these temples remain crowded with vendors selling idols, local crafts, etc. The beach is also popular among tourists for its marine life, water sports, sea excursions, camping and picnics. 

There is a place where his childhood friend Sudama gave him BHET ( gift) . That is why it is called Bet Dwarka.Ohka jetty is around 30 kms from Dwarka and from here you have to take jetty which takes around 15 mins to island.You will find Lord and his family idols and temples.

Rukshamanee Mandir

The Rukshamanee Mandir is dedicated to Devi Rukmani, the wife of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna had 16,108 wives and Devi Rukmani was his favourite. The temple walls features a variety of paintings from the 12th century. 

The paintings capture the time spent by Devi Rukmani and Lord Krishna. A marble deity of Devi Rukmani, with four hands or 'Chaturbhuja' is placed in the temple. These hands clasp Shanka, Chakra, Gada and Padma, symbolizing her as the reincarnation of Goddess Maha Lakshmi.

This place is around 2 kms from Dwarka. It is said Rukmini stayed here for whole 12 years without water. Legend is that Sage Durvasa guru of Lord Krishna , asked Lord and Queen Rukmini to drag the chariot in which he was sitting. Rukmini felt thirsty and asked Lord for water while dragging the chariot , Lord Krishna took out some water from the ground with the help of his toe. Rukmini dranked the water and this annoyed Sage Durvasa that before asking the guru she started drinking. He in turn cursed her to be without water for 12 years.

Samudra Narayan Temple :- This temple is situated where river Gomti meets sea.

###JAI SRI KRISHNA!!!!!!!!!!