Dwarka is an ancient city in the state of Gujarat. It is said to be the Kingdom of Sri Krishna.
According to puranic history, Sri Krishna along with his family and the citizens of Mathura migrated to Dwarka. On coming to Dwarka he asked the architect of the Gods, Vishwakarma to make a capital city. Vishwakarma asked Sri Krishna to ask Samudradev for land to create the city. Sri Krishna prayed to Samudradev and he was given 12 yojanas of land. Dwarka was constructed on it and it was the city where Sri Krishna lived his life.
The Dwarkadish temple of Dwarka is one of the Chaar Dham temples and is the holiest for Vaishnavas. Dwarkadish (meaning the Lord of the Dwarka) temple is originally said to have been built by Sri Krishna’s grandson Vajranabha. In the 14th century it was destroyed by Sultan Mehmud Begada in 1472. In the 16th century the temple has been expanded on and the present structure was built in the Chalukyan style of architecture. It is a 7 storied temple having seventy two pillars. The temple spire is 78 feet high and the flag or Dwaja is changed five times a day and can be seen from 10 kms. The temple is built of limestone and has beautiful sculpture.
We reached Dwarka at 8.15 pm and after a little freshening up, immediately left for the temple. The temple closes at 9.30 pm. After having a peaceful darshan, went around the temple, seeing all the beautiful sculpture. After sitting peacefully for some time, we left as it was closing time. The next day went for the Aarti. It was so crowded with people pushing one another, that I preferred the previous days darshan.
The present Dwarka is said to be part of the original Dwarka. Some years ago underwater excavations revealed a well developed city submerged in the sea near the coast, proving that this was Sri Krishna’s Dwarka.
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