Today’s blog post is the Dwarka travel guide.

In this Dwarka travel guide, find the necessary info for planning a trip to Dwarka.

• History of Dwarka
• How to get there?
• Where to stay?
• The best time to visit
• Places to visit/see in Dwarka
• Places to visit/see near Dwarka
• Travel tips

Before we dive into the finer details of planning a trip to Dwarka, here’s a brief history of this ancient city.

HISTORY OF DWARKA

As you already know, Dwarka is associated with Lord Krishna. Dwarka is an ancient city mentioned in the Mahabharat and other texts.

According to legend, Lord Krishna left Mathura after defeating his Kansa mama (mother’s brother). He travelled for days before he arrived in Gujarat. Devotees believe Ord Krishna borrowed 12 yognas (96 sq km) of land from the sea to build the kingdom of Dwarka. Therefore, it is known as Krishna’s Dwarka.

When Lord Krishna died, his Dwarka was submerged underwater by a flood. Devotees believe after Lord Krishna’s death, the sea god retrieved the land lent to Krishna to build Dwarka. There are various ongoing archaeological expeditions to locate this lost city.

Years later, Adi Shankaracharya built four temples (Char Dhams)across the four corners of India. They are Jagannath Puri, Rameswaram, Badrinath and Dwarka.

The Dwarkadhish temple in Dwarka is one of the Char Dhams. Devotees of Krishna travel from all over to visit the temple.

History states that the Dwarkadhish temple was damaged by various invaders and rebuilt. Sultan Mahmud Begada of Gujarat destroyed the original temple in 1472. Later, a new temple in the Maru-Gujara style stood in its place.

HOW TO REACH DWARKA?

There are four ways to reach Dwarka: train, flight, bus and self-driving.

SELF-DRIVING

I prefer self-driving. I travelled from Pune to Dwarka. Expressways and national and state highways connect Dwarka to Pune and other Indian cities.

The distance between Pune and Dwarka is 1,059 km and is a 20-hour drive. So, the plan was to cover as much distance on the first day as possible.

I left Pune at 5 a.m. and arrived in Rajkot at 7 p.m., where I spent the night. The following morning, at 6 a.m., I left Rajkot and reached Dwarka around 11 a.m.

If you’re travelling from Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities, follow the Golden Quadrilateral up to Vasad. From there, follow a network of national and state highways to Dwarka.

If self-driving is a hassle, you can always opt for the bus.

BY BUS

Buses are a good option for those travelling to Dwarka from within Gujarat. That’s because there are direct buses from Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and other Gujarati cities to Dwarka.

There are no direct buses from Mumbai, Pune and other Indian cities to Dearka. You have to change buses before reaching Dwarka. For example, if you’re coming from Pune. From Pune, take the bus to Mumbai, where you can board another bus travelling to Surat, Ahmedabad, etc. Upon reaching a city in Gujarat, take the direct bus to Dwarka.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of changing buses, trains are a convenient mode of transportation.

BY TRAIN

The Dwarka railway station is the closest station, just 2 km from the city centre.

If you’re travelling from within Gujarat, you can board one of the many trains heading to Dwarka. However, there are only a few direct trains to Dwarka from other Indian states. For example, there is a direct train between Mumbai and Dwarka, but not between Pune and Dwarka.

Trains are a great option if you want to save money and time. However, if you’re short of time, flights are more convenient.

BY FLIGHT

Dwarka is a small town and doesn’t have an airport. The closest airports are in Porbandar and Jamnagar.

The Porbandar airport is 95 km away, and the Govardhanpur airport in Jamnagar is 110 km away.

If you’re travelling from Indian metropolitan cities, you can get a direct flight to one of the two airports. However, flights can be expensive and time-consuming if you’re travelling from a metropolis. For example, there are no direct flights from Pune to Porbandar or Jamnagar. They are all connecting flights with layovers of 4-5 hours.

Therefore, flights are convenient only if you’re short of time and travelling from a metropolitan city (Mumbai, Delhi, etc).

WHERE TO STAY IN DWARKA?

Dwarka is a large town and offers a variety of accommodations. Here, you can find 3-star hotels, luxury establishments, budget-friendly inns, etc.

I stayed at The Dwarika Hotel. It was not my first or even second choice. I wanted to stay at the “Lemon Tree” or “The Grand Dwarika“. But, due to last-minute booking, rooms were unavailable. That’s how I ended up staying at the Dwarika Hotel.

The Dwarika Hotel is on the main road and a 2-minute drive to the Dwarkadhish temple.

The rooms at Dwarika Hotel are clean but compact. The rooms are spacious for two people. But, if you add a third bed, there’s no space to move around.

Each room has a TV, AC, kettle, an en-suite bathroom, and hot water 24/7.

The hotel has an in-house restaurant next to the lobby. It is a pure vegetarian restaurant. I dined at their restaurant and liked the food. The quality was good, and the food was tasty.

The Dwarika Hotel has a private parking space for 10-15 vehicles. So, that’s a good thing when you’re self-driving.

I had very few interactions with the hotel staff. But based on those interactions, I can say the staff was hospitable and active.

The Dwarika Hotel might not have been my first choice, but it was a good hotel. I would recommend it for families and large groups.

I would rate my stay at the hotel three ⭐⭐⭐.

NOTE:- Those who are self-driving, ensure your hotel is close to the main road. That’s because the streets are narrow as you go deeper into the town.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT DWARKA

Dwarka is a coastal town at the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch. Therefore, it is humid and hot all year round. So, what’s the best time to visit?

November to March is the best time to visit Dwarka. That’s because November to February are the winter months, and March is the onset of summer.

From November to March, the temperature is low, and the weather is pleasant. January and February are the best months for avoiding crowds.

If you visit in November, go a few days after Diwali. That’s because the hotels are costly, and crowds are enormous during Diwali.

April and May are the summer months. Dwarka is a coastal town and experiences high temperatures.

I visited Dwarka in October. The heat was unbearable during the day. Fortunately, the evenings were pleasant compared to the day.

The October heat was unbearable. So, you can imagine what it would be like in the summer.

June to September are the monsoon months. Dwarka is at the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch on the Okhamamdal coast. The town receives heavy rains during these months.

From June to September, the hotel prices drop, and crowds are few.

Do you want to visit Dwarka during the off-season? Then, visit after mid-September. That’s when the crowds are few, the hotel prices are low, and there are light showers.

So, the best time to visit Dwarka is November (after Diwali), December (the first week), January, February and March.

PLACES TO VISIT/SEE IN DWARKA

In this section of the Dwarka travel guide, discover a list of places to visit/see in Dwarka.

If you look up Dwarka on Google Maps, it will outline a small coastal town. Don’t let the small size fool you. Dwarka may be small, but it has several places for visitors to see and visit.

• Sudama Setu
• Dwarkadhish temple
• Rukmini devi Mandir
• Samudra Narayan temple
• Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
• Bhadkeshwar temple
• Gomti Ghat

SUDAMA SETU

Sudama was Lord Krishna’s childhood friend, hence the Sudama Setu.

The Sudama Setu is a suspension bridge connecting the mainland to an island in the Arabian Sea.

Besides being a popular tourist attraction, the Sudama Setu has religious significance.

There are five sweet water wells on the island across the Sudama Setu. According to legend, the five Pandavas built the five wells.

The five wells are known as the Panchnad or Panchkui Tirth.

Before the construction of the Sudama Setu, devotees reached the island by boat.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t visit the Sudama Setu. The locals informed me the bridge was closed for a while due to some previous incident. However, I have seen recent photos of people walking across the bridge. If it has reopened, that’s good news for you.

If the Sudama Setu is still closed, you can take a boat across the Gomti River to reach the island. I’ve heard you can see stunning views of Dwarka from the island.

Since I reached the Ghat late, the boatsmen had left for the day. So, the boat was not an option either.

It might not pop up in your initial search of Sudama Setu, but there is an entry ticket and fixed timings.

TICKETS:- You can purchase tickets at the Sudama counter. A single ticket costs Rs.10.

TIMINGS:- The Sudama Setu is open from Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

DWARKADISH TEMPLE

The Dwarkadish temple, known as the Jagat Mandir, is just a short walk from the Sudama Setu.

Lord Krishna is the presiding deity. He was the creator and ruler of Dwarka and is known as Dwarkadish, meaning the King of Dwarka. Therefore, the temple is known as Dwarkadish temple.

Devotees believe Vajranabha, Krishna’s grandson, built the original Dwarkadish temple in place of the lord’s residence. However, in 1472, Sultan Mahmud Begada destroyed the temple and rebuilt it in the 15th-16th century.

According to archaeologists, the Dwarkadish temple dates back to 200 BCE.

When Adi Shankaracharya visited Dwarka, he declared the Dwarkadish temple one of the Char Dhams (Jagannath Puri, Rameswaram, Dwarka, and Badrinath).

The temple is five-storeyed and has 72 pillars. Carvings cover the temple’s outer walls. It is a breathtaking architectural marvel.

I visited the temple around 7 p.m., hoping there would be fewer people. I think lots of people had the same idea. So, before more people arrived, I deposited my shoes and electronics (mobile, cameras, keys, etc) at their respective free locker counters.

After entering the temple, you have to undergo a security check.

NOTE:- There are separate darshan lines for men and women.

I regret that I couldn’t photograph this beautiful temple. But the lack of a camera made me admire and appreciate its beauty more.

However, upon exiting the temple, you will find photographers who will take photos of you with the temple’s shikhara for a fee.

TIMINGS:- The Dwarkadish temple is open from Monday to Sunday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

RUKMINI DEVI MANDIR

The Rukmini Devi Mandir is a few km from Dwarkadish temple. Devotees believe there is a reason for this.

According to the Mahabharat, one day, Rishi (sage) Durvasa visited Lord Krishna and his wife Rukmini.

The sage demanded the couple pull his chariot (in place of the horses) to their palace. Lord Krishna and Rukmini obliged and began pulling the chariot.

Rishi Durvasa struck Rukmini whenever she fell. After a while, Rukmini grew tired and asked Krishna for water. Then, Krishna used his power to dig a hole and brought the Ganga River to that spot.

It enraged Rishi Durvasa. He then cursed Rukmini to stay in that spot.

Devotees believe the Rukmini Devi Mandir is at the spot where she was cursed to remain. Local traditions state the Dwarka yatra is incomplete without visiting the Dwarkadish temple and Rukmini Devi Mandir.

The Rukmini Devi Mandir is a small but stunning temple. Carvings of elephants and human figures decorate the outer walls of the temple.

The temple houses a delicate marble statue of the goddess Rukmini. Murals decorate the inner walls. They narrate the story of how and why Rishi Durvasa cursed Rukmini.

I visited the temple around 4 p.m., but the temple was closed. After waiting for 20 minutes, the temple reopened.

Before leaving for the temple, ensure the temple is open.

It was 5 p.m. by the time I left the temple. Despite the late hour, it was hot and humid. So, I did what every tourist visiting a coastal area does. I had coconut water.

What better way is there to re-energize?

TIMINGS:- The Rukmini Devi Mandir in Dwarka is open from Monday to Sunday from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

SAMUDRA NARAYAN MANDIR

I visited the Samudra Narayan Mandir the morning I left Dwarka.

The Samudra Narayan Mandir sits on the confluence of the Gomti River and the Arabian Sea. You can see waves crashing against the side of the temple.

According to legend, Rishi Vasishtha brought the Gomti River from heaven to purify Ram. After Ram defeated Ravan, Rishi Vasishtha used the Gomti River to sanctify him.

After the purification, Goddess Gomti stayed here in the form of the Gomti River and immersed into the Arabian Sea.

The temple worships Goddess Gomti, Samudra Dev (God of the sea), Mira Bai, Lord Varuna and Mother Asta Bhavani.

There are two ways to reach the Samudra Narayan Mandir: walking or driving.

If you prefer walking, follow the ghats to the end. You will arrive at the entrance of the temple.

If you’re driving, you will arrive at the other side of the temple. There is a parking area. Park your vehicles and walk the rest of the way. The temple is beautiful, but the surrounding area not so much.

The government has built a promenade, but it’s not maintained. You will find cow dung and cow food scattered around. It’s sad to see such a lovely place in shambles.

Also, a few metres from the temple is a cremation ground. A funeral pyre is not what you want to see first thing in the morning.

You can stop here for a quick evening or early morning visit.

TIMINGS:- The temple is open daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

NAGESHWAR JYOTIRLINGA

Besides being home to the Dwarkadish temple, one of the Char Dhams, it is also home to the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga.

The red and white coloured temple is away from Dwarka on the road to Bet Dwarka. It is home to a Shivalinga and two snake idols.

Unlike the other Jyotirlingas, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga worships Lord Shiva in the Nag form and Goddess Parvati in the Nagin form.

Nageshwar temple is a renowned pilgrim centre, and devotees come here to visit.

I arrived at the temple at 2 p.m. when the temple had reopened. Of all the Jyotirlingas, darshan was quickest at Nageshwar temple. I was in and out within 20 minutes.

There was a single line for darshan, no VIP darshan. Also, there is a large platform outside the gabhargriha from where visitors can see the Shivalinga without rushing.

Couples can perform puja and abhishek for a fee. The prices for the puja and abhishek are in the photo below.

Another unmissable feature of the Nageshwar temple is the enormous Shiva statue inside the temple complex.

TIMINGS:- The temple is open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and reopens at 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

BHADKESHWAR TEMPLE

Some 5,000 years ago, a Shivalinga emerged from the Arabian Sea. No one knows how it got there. Since then, people have been coming here to pray.

Earlier, the Shivalinga was accessible only for a short period. Other times, the Linga remained submerged underwater. However, accessibility is not an issue anymore.

Currently, the Shivalinga rests upon a hillock built a little off-shore. A cement pathway connects the mainland to the hillock.

The Shivalinga resides in a Shivalinga-shaped temple.

When I visited, the temple was still under construction.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can go to the beach nearby. There’s no fixed path to the beach. Go down to the beach at your own risk.

I recommend coming here in the evening to watch the sun setting over the Arabian Sea. It is the perfect place to end the day.

GOMTI GHAT

The Gomti Ghat is just a short walk from the Dwarkadish and Samudra Narayan temples.

Devotees believe bathing in the Gomti River at Gomti Ghat purges one’s soul of evil deeds. Here, you will see visitors bathing in the river and local children enjoying a swimming session.

Besides bathing at the Gomti Ghat, devotees also visit the numerous shrines spread around the Ghat.

Shrines of Samudra Dev (God of the sea), Goddesses Laxmi and Saraswati are a few of the shrines found here.

PLACES TO VISIT/SEE NEAR DWARKA

In this section of the Dwarka travel guide, discover a list of places to visit/see near Dwarka.

Besides the long list of attractions in Dwarka, there are a few more places to visit around the town.

• Bet Dwarka
• Somnath Jyotirlinga
• Porbandar

BET DWARKA

Bet Dwarka should not be confused with the Dwarka of the mainland. The mainland was the ruling palace, and Bet Dwarka was Krishna’s residence. Therefore, you can see hundreds of devotees making the trip to Bet Dwarka yearly.

According to Mahabharat, Bet Dwarka was a part of Krishna’s Dwarka. Bet means island, hence the name Bet Dwarka. When Krishna died, the kingdom of Dwarka and a part of the island sunk after a flood.

There are other tales regarding why it is known as Bet Dwarka. One such tale is that it was on this island that Sudama and Krishna reunited. Therefore, it is also known as Bhent (to meet) Dwarka.

Bet Dwarka is home to the Dwarkadish temple. Unlike the Dwarkadish temple in Dwarka city, the one in Bet Dwarka is simple and ruined in places. However, it is said to be the original place of Krishna’s residence.

Besides the Dwarkadish temple, the island is home to the shrines of the other family members (Krishna’s family).

So, how do you reach Bet Dwarka? By boat.

From the dock at Okha town, you can catch a boat to Bet Dwarka. There are public and private boats. The public boats are cheaper but too crowded. These boats don’t leave the dock until it is overflowing with people. Private boats are, but you have breathing room. And they are a good option for families and large groups.

TRAVEL TIP:- The temples on Bet Dwarka close around 12:30 p.m. and reopen at 5 p.m. So, try to arrive early. And boats returning from Bet Dwarka are fewer in the evening.

SOMNATH TEMPLE

The Somnath Jyotirlinga is not near Dwarka but 5 hours away.

Gujarat is home to two Jyotirlingas: Nageshwar and Somnath temples. So, why not visit both jyotirlingas in one go? And what’s a five-hour drive on a scenic route?

Somnath temple is in Prabhas Patan, 237 km away. You can take the train, bus or taxi.

If you want to take the scenic route, I recommend travelling via Porbandar. It is a scenic drive along the coast dotted with windmills.

If you’re travelling to Somnath temple, here’s my Somnath travel guide.

PORBANDAR

If you’re travelling to Somnath Mandir from Dwarka or vice versa, I recommend a quick pit stop at Porbandar.

I’m sure you’ve heard tales of Krishna and Sudama. In Porbandar, there is a Sudama temple. It is the sole temple dedicated to Sudama.

The Sudama temple celebrates the friendship between Krishna and Sudama. Shri Ram Jethwa of the Jethwa dynasty built this temple in 1907 CE.

Nestled amidst a small garden is the Sudama temple. It is a simple structure with decorated pillars and a tall shikhar. A few feet from the temple is a statue of Krishna and Sudama embracing. Worshippers offer poha (flattened rice) at the statue.

There is a small Mahadev shrine and a step well in the temple complex. Also, a small floor maze is a popular attraction at the temple.

Devotees believe walking through the maze removes all your sins. You will find grown men and women trying their luck.

Porbandar is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. So, you can visit his childhood home turned museum. It is a 5-minute drive from the temple.

I recommend stopping by the Sudama temple in Porbandar. That’s what I did. I made a pit stop at Sudama temple before heading to Somnath Jyotirlinga.

TRAVEL TIPS

In this section of the Dwarka travel guide, you will find a list of travel tips to make your trip worry-free.

• My first travel tip is to pack the appropriate clothing when visiting Dwarka. Most of the temples in Dwarka expect worshippers to dress modestly. So, men and women must cover their shoulders and knees. Ladies, always have a scarf or dupatta handy to cover your head in temples.
• Don’t feed anything to the cows on the street. The owners will come up to you and hand you cow feed. And they charge ridiculous amounts for it.
• Most temples in the area close in the afternoon, 12:30 p.m. and reopen at 5 p.m. So, try to visit temples early, at 9 a.m., when there are few people.
• All restaurants serve only vegetarian food. Finding a non-veg place is impossible.
• If you’re self-driving, find a hotel along the main road. As you drive towards the city centre, lanes are narrow, and parking is scarce.
• Always pre-book your hotels, and don’t leave it for the last minute, like I did. I was fortunate to find a good hotel. But that’s not always the case.
• Dwarka is a coastal town. So it is always hot and humid. Also, avoid the monsoon months, June, July, and August. Dwarka receives heavy rainfall.
• If you’re visiting Bet Dwarka, try to leave early because the temples close at 12:30 p.m. and reopen at 5 p.m. Also, boats returning from Bet Dwarka are few in the evening.
• You need at least half a day to explore the main temples of Bet Dwarka. So, plan accordingly.

CONCLUSION

That brings us to the end of the Dwarka travel guide. In this blog post, I have covered the necessary info for planning a trip to Dwarka.

Here’s a summary of what the Dwarka travel guide includes.

• A Brief History of Dwarka
• How to reach Dwarka?
• Where to stay?
• The best time to visit
• Places to visit/see in Dwarka
• Places to visit/see near Dwarka
• Travel tips

I hope the Dwarka travel guide was helpful. If you have any queries, let me know in the comments.

If you’re travelling to Gujarat, here are a couple of my Gujarat-related blog posts.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

Exploration is curiosity put into action.

dan Walsh