Dwarka – The Divine Land!

Dwarka – The Divine Land!

According to the Mahabharata, Sri Krishna, the divine incarnation who lived among men, was cursed with three fates: 1) He must meet death at the hands of an ordinary man. 2) His own Yadava clan must fight amongst themselves and perish. 3) His golden city, Dwarka, must submerge into the sea. All three curses eventually came true, marking the end of the Dwapara Yuga and the beginning of the Kali Yuga.

Thus, the ancient city of Dwarka, richly described in the Bhagavata and the Mahabharata, is believed to have submerged in the sea. A reconstructed city now exists on the western coast of present-day Gujarat, along the Arabian Sea. Located just about 100 kilometers from Karachi (now in Pakistan), this ancient city holds a highly significant place in India’s devotional traditions. 

Today, the sacred land of Dwarka is divided into two parts: Gomati Dwarka – the modern city. Bet Dwarka – an island believed to be the site of Krishna’s original golden city. Gomati Dwarka lies at the point where the Gomati River meets the Arabian Sea. Its most famous temple is the Dwarkadhish Temple, a vital pilgrimage center for devotees. Nearby, one can also find the Swaminarayan Temple and the original Rukmini Temple. Pilgrims usually bathe in the sacred waters of Gomati Ghat before seeking darshan (divine audience) of Lord Dwarkadhish. 

The small hanging bridge over the Gomati River, known as Sudama Setu, is a beautiful architectural attraction. Sitting by the seashore during sunset, the gentle breeze not only soothes the body and mind but also fills one with a peaceful serenity. After exploring the places around Gomati Dwarka, one can proceed to Bet Dwarka, located around 30 km away. Formerly only accessible by boat, a grand hanging bridge named “Sudarshan Setu” was recently built (just 2-3 years ago), providing road connectivity to the island.

Bet Dwarka is believed to be the original golden city that submerged into the ocean at the end of the Dwapara Yuga. In the Kali Yuga, a new temple dedicated to Dwarkadhish was built here as well, attracting thousands of devotees. While spiritual seekers receive divine bliss from Dwarkadhish’s darshan, worldly travelers are mesmerized by the majestic Sudarshan Setu and the vast blue Arabian Sea. On the way from Gomati Dwarka to Bet Dwarka, one can visit three major spots: Rukmini Devi Temple, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and Gopi Talav.

Rukmini Devi Temple, dedicated to Rukmini, Krishna's chief consort, this temple features ancient stone carvings and classic architectural beauty. Many legends, including Krishna and Rukmini’s marriage and the curse by sage Durvasa, are associated with this place – stories widely referenced in Indian scriptures. 

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, One of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India and a highly revered shrine. Local belief says that Shiva and Parvati appeared here in the form of serpents as Nageshwara and Nagini, displaying their divine play. A massive Shiva idol here is extremely impressive — larger than the similar statues found in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Shivamogga (Karnataka).

Gopi Talav (Gopi Lake)

The name “Talav” means pond or lake. This site has two important mythological associations: In one, Sri Krishna's famous Ras Leela with 16,000 gopis (cowherd maidens) is said to have taken place before the Mahabharata war. The gopis, feeling spiritually fulfilled after their dance with Krishna, requested to merge with the sacred soil. With Krishna’s consent, they voluntarily gave up their lives in this lake. The soil here is soft and yellowish-white, similar to sandalwood paste, and is called Gopi Chandan, often used by devotees for applying tilak on their foreheads.

In another version, after the Mahabharata war, Arjuna became overly proud of his valor, believing the victory was solely due to his strength. To humble him, Krishna entrusted him with the responsibility of escorting the widows of the fallen Kaurava warriors, including Bhānumati, wife of Duryodhana, to Dwarka for their safety. As Arjuna was leading the women, just a short distance from present-day Bet Dwarka, a group of tribal people attacked. Surprisingly, Arjuna could not protect the women. Realizing they might fall into the hands of their enemies, the women — valuing honour over life — chose to sacrifice themselves by jumping into the lake. Today, this lake and the nearby Gopinath Temple offer a peaceful, yet poignant reminder of that story.

I had always longed to visit this ancient city so vividly described in our Puranas. Over the past two days, I had the fortune of visiting all these sacred places and feel truly blessed. I was accompanied by Akash, a young friend and Marketing Manager from Mumbai who hails from Madhya Pradesh. His presence helped ease the loneliness I might have otherwise felt.

Despite not being particularly religious or a devoted believer, and having a rational, even atheistic mindset, I still found immense peace and joy in Dwarka. That being the case, for true believers and devoted pilgrims, there is no doubt that a visit to Dwarka will be a deeply divine, joyous, and spiritually fulfilling experience.

Dr. Rajendra Buradikatti
Dwarka, Gujarat
28-09-2025