DEVBHUMI DWARKA district is located in Southern region of Gulf of Kutch of Gujarat state. On 15th August 2013, this district was bifurcated from Jamanagar district. The Government of Gujarat has constituted new Districts formally on 15th August 2013. Notified by Revenue Department, Government of Gujarat Notifications No.GHM/21/2014/M/PFR/102013/139/L.1 dated 18/02/2014.
Dwarka has its pilgrimage importance due to Dwarkadheesh
Temple built in 6th to 7th century. It was the residing place of 'Lord Krishna'
also known as 'Ranchodji'. It is one of the important ‘Chardham’ spots and the
'Sapt-Puris' 'Dwarawati' as Sanskrit name of Dwarka is the most pious and holy
place of Hindus. Dwarka has its own Railway Station about 1.5 km from the main
city. Nights in Dwarka gets chilly, summers are quite hot. Dwarka being an
ethnic city, also have modern malls for shopping. Bandhani, folk art on
fabrics, Patola Silk sarees, handicraft items with embroidary etc. are worth
shopping. Places of interest include 'Bet' Dwarka, Gita Mandir, Dwarkadheesh
Temple and Dwarka Lighthouse.
According to the literature and recent excavation at Dwarka, it proves that the site of the present Dwarka was known by this name at least by the beginning of the Christian era. The temple of Lord Krishna known as ‘Dwarkadhish Temple’ is situated at Dwarka in the district. According to the Hindu mythology the earliest conqueror of Okhamandal was Shri Krishna, also called Ranchhodji who is supposed to be the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Krishna established his kingdom at Dwarka after his migration from Mathura. Krishna was succeeded by his great grandson Vajranabh, who enjoys the reputation of having built the present temple of Dwarkanath also called Trilok Sundar.
Brief Description of Places of Religious,
Historical or Archaeological Importance in Villages and Places of Tourist
Interest in the Towns of the District
Dwarkadhish Temple (Jagat Mandir) - Name of Town: Dwarka (Taluka: Dwarka)
Dwarka is famous for the shrine of Lord Krishna
called Jagadish Mandir or the universe shrine built 1400 years ago. In the
precincts of the shrine there is a seat of Shankaracharya called Sharda Pith
which is running an Arts College and Sanskrit Academy carrying research in
Sanskrit and its ideology. Beyt is the short name of Shankhoddhar Beyt because
its shape resembles ‘Shankh’, the conch-shell. It is a narrow crooked strip of
sand and rock situated in the Gulf of Kachchh about 5 km to the north of the
mainland of Okhamandal and to the east of Okha port and Okha is 30 km from
Dwarka. It is said to be the place where Lord Krishna lived with his family
when he ruled at Dwarka. It is also the place where Vishnu slew the demon
Shankhasura. Visitors make it a point to visit the Krishna temple at this side
which holds most of interest to be seen and experienced.
The main temple at Dwarka, situated on Gomti creek, is known as Jagat Mandir (universal shrine) or Trilok Sundar (the most beautiful in all the three worlds).
Dwarka which was known as Suvarna Dwarka (The Golden Dwarka) had been very prosperous and hence got the name. The Dwarkadhish temple honours Krishna Bhagwan and attracts thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the country. The Dwarka of Krishna's time lies submerged under the Arabian Sea.
Harsiddhi Mata Temple - Name of Town: Gandhvi (Taluka: Jamkalyanpur)
Gandhvi is situated about 23 km from Kalyanpur on
the north bank of river Vartu, near its confluence with the sea opposite to Miyani.
The original temple of Harsiddha Mata crowns the hill overlooking the creek;
but as this temple is old and deserted, the original idol of Mata is installed
in the temple at the foot of the hill. Jagdu Shah, a merchant of Mandvi
(Kachchh) built famous temple of Harsiddha Mata. The temple is situated on the
top and bottom of Koyla Hill. Harsiddhi Mataji is also known as Ambica Mataji
and Kalki Mataji. The local people call her Harshad Mata.
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Light house - Name of Town: Dwarka (Taluka: Dwarka)
Situated on the shore of the Arabian Sea, one can
visit the light house between 4pm and 6pm with the permission of the attendant.
Even today it is a landmark for sailors, offers a beautiful panoramic view and
is a restful place to pilgrims.
Navlakha Temple - Name of Town: Ghumli (Taluka: Bhanvad)
The temple is located near the village Ghumli near
Bhanwad in the Devbhoomi Dwarka district. It stands on a high plinth (jagati).
There was an elaborate colonnaded and storeyed mandapa with now exists only
partially. The temple is dated back to 12th century A.D. Near Navlakha, a
temple of earlier date (10th A.D.) called the Ganesha Mandir stands, only its
garbhagriha and sikkara now survive. The Shikhara is elaborately carved with
Jhalak design. Of the four gates, only one called the Madapole gate partially
survives.
The ancient temple on top of the Koyla hill has the same construction styles of the Navlakha Temple of the Chalukya Dynasty in Ghumli, whereas the temple in the bottom of the hill is quite modern. On the northern side of the temple is the fire pit, where Harshad Mata used to roast and eat the King of Minalpur Prabhatsen. Even today the temple of Harsiddhi Mataji is still there and it is said that since then, Mataji goes daily there for night stay and comes back to Koyla hill during the day. One can visit the temple on the way back from Dwarka.
Bet Dwarka - Name of Town: Okha Port (Taluka: Dwarka)
Also known as Bet Shankhodar and it was a
full-fledged port before the development of Okha Port. It was the residing of
Lord Krishna’s Queens. In the temple of the Bet, the idols of the queens such
as Lakshmiji, Radhaji, Satyabhamaji and Jambuvantiji are main.
On the Island they are 23 Shivalayas, 20 Vaishnav temples, 9 Hanuman temples, 6 Devi temples including other many temples. The Old Shankhnarayan Temple is believed to be built around Vikram Samvat 1774. The Mahaprabhuji Baithak was built here by Shrimad Vallabhacharyaji in Vikram Samvat 1535. There is also a place for Balramji. Bet Dwarka is about 15 minutes ferry ride from Okha port.
Rukshmaniji Temple - Name of Town: Dwarka (Taluka: Dwarka)
1.5 Kms from Dwarka on Okha highway, on the bank of
Bhagirathi River, is the temple of Rukshmaniji, the Patrani of Lord Krishna.
Visitor can stop here while going towards Bet - Dwarka.
Dwarka Nageshwar Mahadev Temple - Name of Town:
Dwarka (Taluka: Dwarka)
Contains one of the 12 Shiva jyotirling in an
underground sanctum. It is 17 km from Dwarka. The jyotirling enshrined in the
temple of Nagnath, attracts thousands of pilgrims allround the year. This
powerful jyotirlinga symbolizes protection from all poisons and those who pray
to the Nageshwar therefore become poison free. This Shivaling is facing South,
with the Gomugam facing East. There is a story for this position. A devotee by
name Naamdev was singing bhajans in front of the Lord. Lord Shivas huge sitting
idol here near Nageshwar Mahadev Temple is awe inspiring.
Iskcon Gate and Temple - Name of Town: Dwarka (Taluka: Dwarka)
At the entrance of Dwarka City, one comes across
the ISKCON gate. Across the gate is the ISKCON temple located on the Devi
Bhavan Road. It is a Gita Mandir carrying the idols of Lord Krishna with Radha,
with a view of the Dwarkadheesh temple from its roof. There is also a small
guest house there with 20 beautiful rooms. The special feature of this temple
is that it is made entirely of stone, the first of its kind in the history of
ISKCON.
Shanidev Temple - Name of Town: Hathala (Taluka: Bhanvad)
There are a very few temples of Shanidev (God
Saturn) in the country. One is in Nasik at Shani- Shinganapur, other is at
Baroda and this is the third one situated in the lap of Barada mount at Hathala
village of Bhanvad taluka. Declared as a protected place by the archeological
department, this temple is considered to be of 7th to 8th century.
Barda Hills Forested Region - Taluka: Bhanvad
The region extends over the southern part of the
district, occupying parts of Bhanvad and Jam Jodhpur taluka. It is enclosed by
Jamnagar South Plain from north, by Rajkot district from east and by Junagadh
district from south and west. The region is characterized by hillocks and
covered with forests. The Barda Hills attain the maximum elevation of 627
meters above M.S.L. Dai river flows from north to south direction. Other hills
are below 300 meters. The geological structure of the region pertains to Deccan
Trap etc.
River Ghee - Taluka: Khambhaliya
The river Ghee having total length of 35 km and it
is raising from the central highlands near Devalia. It flows through land of about
250 feet in height and west of Khambhalia. After course of 11 kms
west-north-west of Khambhalia, it merges with the sands of the coast of the
Gulf of Kachchh.
Gomati Creek - Taluka: Dwarka
This creek is important because of it stands
Dwarka, one of the most sacred places of Hindu pilgrimage. It is believed to raise
in the village of Bhovda about 10 kms to the east, known also as Mul Gomati.
Islands and Reefs
Off the coast (Okhamandal) there are several reefs
and islands with good channels between them for coasting crafts when there is a
swell outside the Gulf. During heavy breezes the boats can be steered in
without difficulty. The Great Baral or Chanka reef, the north face of which is
16 kms long is a coral reef. The north end of the reef forms a full semi-circle
with a radius of 2.4 kms round Chanka Island. This vast coral reef surrounds
four islands, namely Chanka, Nora, Bhaidar and Chusru. It is completely covered
at high water and only the four islands are visible. Among them, Nora is a
large low mangrove island on the Baral coral reefs about 4 kms west of Chanka.
It extends 5 kms from west to east. Its north face is fronted with sand. To the
north of Nora; the Baral reef is deeply indented and the soundings near the
reef are mostly mud.
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