Believed to be one of the most ancient and sacred place in India, Dwarka is one of the most pious places for anybody seeking spirituality. It is also
Believed to be one of the most ancient and sacred place in India, Dwarka is one of the most pious places for anybody seeking spirituality. It is also home to a number of other interesting features like beaches and wildlife sanctuaries which will appeal to all types of travellers. It is also home to the famous all India Chardham portal of Dwarkadhish temple along with Rameshwaram, Badrinath and Jagannath temple. Every inch of this town is laced in a deeply spiritual vibe and visiting here once in a lifetime will prove to be extremely worth it.
Here are some popular tourist attractions in Dwarka which will allow you to create some of the most memorable memories:
List of the 15 Best Places to Visit in Dwarka
1. Dwarkadhish / Dwarkadheesh Temple
This ornate and elegant looking temple dates back to 2,000 years ago and the presiding deity is Krishna ji who is worshipped here as the ‘king of Dwarka’. Supported with 72 towering and finely carved pillars this place is said to have been constructed by Lord Krishna’s grandson Vajranabha on top of the residence premises of the deity. It has found its mention in the sacred Hindu book of Divya Prabandham and is one of the most crucial Divya Desams in India and was brought to life by Adi Shankaracharya during the 8th century when he established it as a Dham site. Adding to its beauty inside the temple is a shrine for Rukmini where she is said to have been standing while sage Durvasa had cursed her.
- Timing – 6:30 am to 1 pm / 5 pm to 9:30 pm
- Entry Fee – Free entry
- Location – Near Gomati River, Dwarka, Gujarat
2. Nageshwar Jyotirling
As the name suggests this holy temple is one of the most important Jyotirling in India, which is situated at a distance of just 10 kms from the main town of Dwarka. This beautiful temple is a must visit not only because of his religious and historical relevance but also because of its sheer peace and beauty. Nageshwar Jyotirling has found its mention in various sacred Hindu texts of Shiv Puran as one of the oldest temples in India. The legend of this place involves the story about the demon Daruka and how the Shivling was self-manifested for his devotee Supriya.
- Timing – 6 am to 9:30 pm
- Entry Fees – Free entry
- Location – Daarukavanam, Dwarka, Gujarat
3. Dwarka Beach
If you get tired of going on temple visits in Gujarat then you can give it a break by visiting one of the most popular beaches in Dwarka, which is Dwarka beach. The water here is clear and the silky sands here gives you the opportunity to sit back with your family and relax while watching the setting sun in the horizon. As compared to other beaches here this is relatively one of the least known and is one of the most peaceful and pollution free beach where the natural surrounding is untouched and in pristine condition. An interesting and a unique feature present in this beach is an old lighthouse which gives it a vibe of the bygone era.
- Timing – Open 24 hours (do not go after dark)
- Entry Fees – Free entry
- Location – Dwarka, Gujarat
4. Gomati Ghat
Situated right behind the main temple of Dwarka, this place remains flocked with religious people visiting the temple and visiting this Mahasangam Ghat should not be missed. This Ghat holds incredible religious and mythological significance since it is the confluence point of the river of Gomati with the sea. People also make it a point to take a holy dip in the auspicious Gomati kund which is located close to this merging point. The Kund also holds immense significance since this Kund was the place where during the ancient ages Lord Krishna is said to have served sage Durvasa.
- Timing – 6 am to 7 pm
- Entry Fees – Free entry
- Location – Gomti Ghat, Dwarka, Gujarat
5. Kachoriyu Temple
The temple is dedicated to Lord Ram and it also houses a water body here which is known as Kachoriyu Talav. The entrance way is adorned with finely carved out sculptures of Shankhs, Chakra and a small idol of Hanuman ji. This is also one of the most highly revered temples in Dwarka and it also consists of a number of other interesting features that makes it a peaceful and a religious place to visit here where the devotees can also choose to take a holy dip in the clear waters of its Kund here.
- Timing – 6 am to 6 pm
- Entry Fee – Free entry
- Location – Dwarka, Gujarat
6. Somnath Temple
Literally translating into ‘moon god’ this sacred and opulent temple is one of the holiest destinations in India. This Jyotirling which stands majestically next to the crashing waves of the Arabian Sea has seen a tumultuous history of demolishing and reconstruction with its final structure being created by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the year 1947. It is a work of masterful architecture and represents Chalukya style of design. Due to its significance the temple which is also known as the ‘shrine eternal’ has been visited by a number of devotees from all over the world who come here to witness its sheer purity and grandeur.
- Timing – 6 am to 6 pm
- Entry Fees – Free entry
- Location – Prabhas Patan, Veraval, Dwarka, Gujarat
7. Dunny Point
This is probably one of the most off beat and underrated tourist attractions in Dwarka which allows the visitors to have one of the most surreal experiences amidst the confluence point of rivers and seas. The point is surrounded by water on three ends and is away from the pollution and commercialisation of the state. This is the western most state and here you will be having one of the most remote experiences due to the absence of electricity, tented accommodation and almost no mobile connectivity. It can be reached by covering a small distance on boat from Dwarka and is a great place to recharge yourself, amidst pure nature.
- Timing – Open 24 hour
- Entry Fee – Free entry
- Location – Beyt Dwarka, Dwarka, Gujarat
8. Rukmini Devi Temple
This temple stands on the same place where Rukmini Devi is said to have stood which adds to the religious and spiritual significance of this place. The temple is richly carved out on the outer walls and can be dates back to 2,500 years ago making it one of the most important temples in Dwarka. Inside the main temple is an idol of Rukimi Devi with Krishna ji who is worshipped here. The temple is believed to be one of the most marvellous representations of architectural wonder that Gujarat has to offer. It can be easily visited due to its proximity to ‘Jagat Mandir’ or Dwarkadhish temple.
- Timing – 5 am to 9 pm
- Entry Fee – Free entry
- Location – 2 kms from Dwarkadhish temple, Dwarka, Gujarat
9. Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple
This small and humble looking temple is located on a small island off the coast of Dwarka amidst the Arabian Sea and is connected to the main land by a small pathway. This pathway gets completely submerged inside the water during the time of high tides and visiting it is only possible during the low tide days. Once you reach this place you will be able to get a complete and one of the most scenic views of the surrounding beauty. For a uniquely spiritual experience you should definitely visit the temple during the evening Aarti time which, whose sound seems to be in sync with the sound of the crashing of the waves outside.
- Timing – 5 am to 10 pm
- Entry Fee – Free entry
- Location – Sunset point, Dwarka, Gujarat
10. Sudama Setu (Suspension Bridge)
This pedestrian suspension bridge is built across the river of Gomati and is named after a childhood friend of Krishnaji, Sudama. This iconic bridge connects Jagat Mandir in Dwarka to Panchnad or Panchkui (5 holy wells of archaeological significance) on the island. Initially these holy wells were reached by covering a boat journey and in the year 2005 it was constructed with an aim of boosting tourism on the island. This remarkably created bridge can cater up to 25,000 to 30,000 people in one hour travelling on foot.
- Timing – open 24 hours
- Entry Fee – Free entry
- Location – near Dwarkadhish temple, Dwarka, Gujarat
11. Panch Kuai
As the name suggests this place is home to the five sweet water wells which is also known as Panchard and is located on the eastern end of Dwarka. The main deity who is worshipped here are Lord Krishna, Durvasa, Hanuman ji and goddess Ambaji. The site is primarily important due to the presence of the holy footprints of the 5 Pandav brothers or Charan Paduka and is witnessed by a huge turnout of devotees on a daily basis. The place seems even more mysterious due to the presence of several caves that surround it and leads to the nearby village of Vasai.
- Timing – 6 am to 9 pm
- Entry Fee – Free entry
- Location – Saurashtra peninsula, Dwarka, Gujarat
12. Gopi Talav
We all know the stories of Lord Krishna and his Gopis, especially the way they used to play around and do Raas with him. When he shifted to Dwarka all his Gopis were not able to bear this separation from him and they all came to Dwarka to visit him. They were united with Krishna at Gopi Talav during a full moon night making this place incredibly holy and sacred for the followers of Krishna. They are believed to have turned into yellow clay which is visible as Gopi Chandan around the Talav area and its characteristic lies in its smooth texture and yellow colour. It is surrounded by lush green nature and offers a calm environment for you to have a peaceful time here.
- Timing – Open 24 hours
- Entry Fee – Free entry
- Location – Samlasar, Dwarka, Gujarat
13. Samudra Narayan Temple
Situated close to the Gomati Sangam Ghat and in extremely close proximity to Dwarkadhish temple, this temple worships the deity of goddess Gomati which is believed to have been brought from the heaven by Rishi Vashishth. Surrounded by 5 sweet water wells the temple also consists of a sacred Kund where numerous ceremonial sacrifices take place. Along with this another interesting tourist attraction here is a meditation cave, which is also known as Manoratha Dwar where you will be able to witness a number of saints engrossed in deep meditation. People visiting the temple also make it a point to visit the Mahasangam to take holy dip and rid themselves of all the sins they may have committed in their life.
- Timing – 6 am to 6 pm
- Entry Fee – Free entry
- Location – Fort area, Gomati Sangam, Dwarka, Gujarat
14. Brahma Kund
This is probably one of the rarest places dedicated to Brahma ji. This tank is famous for people coming here and taking a holy dip in its water and the legends surrounding it only adds on to its beauty and relevance among the Hindu population. People believe that a small amount of water was mixed up with the water of river Ganga which results in sometimes its water turning sweet in taste. The Kund consists of a series of steps leading down till the source of water and displays some of the finest designs and elaborate carvings.
- Timing – 6 am to 6 pm
- Entry Fee – free entry
- Location – Bhavnagar, Dwarka, Gujarat
15. Gita Temple
You may have been to a number of temples but you will not have visited this unique temple which is dedicated to the holy Hindu book of Bhagavad Gita. Created in pure white marble by the Birla family in 1970, the temple is known for its interesting acoustics which can be tested in a way that of you clap your hands once you will be able to hear its echoes 7 times back. Situate don a sea shore the backdrop of this temple is incredibly mesmerising and scenic and the famous Bhadkeshwar Mahadev temple is also located in its close proximity. The pictures, paintings and idols of this temple is Kirshnaji reciting Bhagwat Gita to Arjun. Each pillar inside the temple is inscribed finely with all the chapters belonging to Bhagvad Gita making it one of the most unique temple experience in India.
- Timing – 6 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9:30 pm
- Entry Fee – Free entry
- Location – Geeta Mandir, Dwarka, Gujarat
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